How Great Thou Art

Recently we sang the contemporary version of "How Great Thou Art" - my favorite!  It is my favorite hymn and I have a favorite verse.  That song speaks to me like no other!  Why do these lyrics stir me?  I remember growing up and seeing the Billy Graham crusades on television and they always sang this song.

"And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,

Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,

That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin."

When Billy Graham was asked why he always used this song he responded, "It glorifies God. It turns Christians’ eyes toward God rather than upon themselves. I use it as often as possible because it is such a God-honoring song."  How can you read or sing this verse and not have it shift our eyes from ourselves to our Father?  It is one thing to have a fleeting thought of Jesus dying on the cross but to hear yourself say it out loud takes it to another level!  The Creator of the universe bled and died for me, and came here just for that!  He spared nothing and that is why we can hardly take it in.

My favorite verse:

"When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart

Then I shall bow, in humble adoration

And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art"

This is how I picture Heaven when I die.  I remember thinking about death and knowing I would be ok - I hurt for my family.  And I believed and still do that I would not miss them when I get to Heaven because it is going to be something more than I can imagine.  I believe that when I see God - nothing else will matter.  NOTHING!  I do not believe we can fathom that joy.  I believe I will fall, now bow, in humble adoration.  I cannot imagine the humbleness standing in His physical presence!  How could we not say, "my God, how great Thou art!" 

Christ will come again! 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-17, "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever."

Yes, this song honors God!  It reminds me that He is greater than anything and anyone that this world has to offer!  He is greater than any storm that will come my way!  He is greater than any joy this world has to offer!  How can we not proclaim His goodness?  How can we not proclaim His faithfulness?  Psalm 145: 3-7, "Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.  One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works.  They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds.  They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness." The Bible tells us in Luke 19: 40, that the stones will cry out if we fail to tell the world of God’s greatness.

Our God is awesome!  He is holy!  He is all powerful!  He is greater than anything!  Our natural reaction to Him should be to fall on our knees in worship!

This is what Pastor Tim means when he says, “Sometimes the music takes us to the throne of God.”