When people or things are defined as great, it means they are "of an extent, intensity, ability, quality, or eminence considerably above the normal or average." If one is great, they are of a higher caliber than those surrounding them. The greatness of God is beyond our comprehension (Psalm 145:3), and because He is God, His greatness is in a category all its own: "For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God" (Deuteronomy 10:17; see also 2 Kings 17:36; Psalm 95:3). God is greater than any human we would consider to be great. He is worthy of our worship and adoration: "For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God" (Psalm 86:10).
The greatness of God and of His works is mentioned all throughout the Bible (e.g., Psalm 96:4; 135:5; Job 5:8–9; 9:10; 1 Chronicles 16:24; 29:11). We also use "great" to emphasize the heightened level of God's character qualities, such as His:
• Love – "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1, NIV),
• Patience (Romans 9:22),
• Strength (Isaiah 63:1),
• Mercy (1 Peter 1:3), and
• Faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22–23).
Throughout the Bible, God did great miracles that brought freedom (Exodus 14:13–22), healing (Luke 9:42–43), and salvation (John 3:16). The might of God is great and unsurpassed (Ephesians 1:19). Jesus is our great High Priest (Hebrews 10:21). The Holy Spirit is great and provides us with freedom, power, wisdom, and hope (2 Corinthians 3:17; Acts 1:8; Isaiah 11:2; Romans 15:13).
Because God is the creator of everything that exists, He exists outside of our realm of time and space. He is superior to His creation (Isaiah 40:13; 1 Corinthians 1:27). Creation is finite, but God is infinite (Psalm 90:2). No one else is great like God (Psalm 71:19). Our response to God's greatness should be praise: "Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!" (Psalm 150:2).
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