Only God Is Great

The quest for greatness is rampant. As fallen creatures, much of what we attempt to grasp is for self-gratification and self-gain. Bred within each generation is a sinful zest for power and prestige.

As believers we are called, however, to a higher standard. First, we are called to remember that God is the King of glory. As the saying goes around my house, “It’s not about me!” Many of the hymnic presentations in the psalms demand that we shift attention from ourselves … to Him. For example Psalm 24:1 reminds us that God is the great King who owns all things. Indeed, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.” In other words all things are under His dominion.

Second, we are called to remember that as followers of the great King, we must be proper stewards of what He has entrusted to us. As many of the “royal” psalms reflect, the celebration is for God’s kingship as it relates to God’s people. God is great by virtue of who He is, but He desires to lead through those He calls. We are His servants and stewards of all that is His. Are you a steward of His creation? Are you a steward of the people He has entrusted to you? What about the message of salvation in Christ? Do you keep it to yourself or share it with others?

In 1715 King Louis XIV of France died after a reign of seventy-two years. He had called himself “the Great,” and was the monarch who made the famous statement, “I am the state!” His court was the most magnificent in Europe, and his funeral was equally spectacular. As his body lay in state in a golden coffin, orders were given that the cathedral should be very dimly lit with only a solitary candle set above his coffin to dramatize his greatness. At the memorial thousands waited in hushed silence. Then Bishop Massilon began to speak; slowly reaching down, he snuffed out the candle and said, “Only God is great.”

How true! Only God is great. We have been given the most magnificent privilege to be ready for His call and act on His behalf. The question is, Does our stewardship adequately reflect His greatness?

About the Contributors

Mark L. Bailey

Dr. Bailey assumed the role of DTS Chancellor after serving for 19 years as the Seminary’s fifth President, and continues his role as Sr. Professor in the Bible Exposition department. In addition to his years at Dallas Theological Seminary, he has pastored various churches in Arizona and Texas. He was a seminar instructor for Walk Thru the Bible Ministries for twenty years and is in demand for Bible conferences and other preaching engagements all over the country and world. His overseas ministries have included Venezuela, Argentina, Hungary, and China. He is also a regular tour leader in Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and Rome. His board service includes Bible Study Fellowship, Walk Thru the Bible Ministries, and Word of Life.