Awesome

Some fine words can be overused to the point that they lose their effectiveness. That’s what happened to the word awesome a few years ago. Everything was awesome. A meal, a conversation, an article of clothing, a game etc. etc. etc. If so many things are awesome, then the thing or person that is really AWESOME shouldn’t be lumped in the same category with the lesser.

What does awesome really mean? Here’s what the Oxford Dictionary says: extremely impressive or daunting: inspiring great admiration, apprehension, or fear. What does that call to your mind? Maybe the Grand Canyon? Or Niagara Falls? By the way, if you haven’t seen them, you need to. 

There are few people in our lives who really deserve that defining word. Maybe only one. But One for sure. Do you know that the Bible actually uses the word awesome many times? Most of them refer to God or what He is doing. Here are some examples.

Deuteronomy 10:21 – He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen.

Job 37:22 – He comes from the north as golden splendor; with God is awesome majesty.

Psalm 47:2 – For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.

Psalm 66:5 – Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.

Psalm 111:9 – He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: holy and awesome is His name.

Jeremiah 20:11 – But the Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One.

That reminds me of a song we used to sing: “Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above with wisdom, power, and love. Our God is an awesome God!” (That’s an old one from Michael W. Smith.)

Maybe there are some words that should apply only to God. Does He fill you with awe? How about taking a little time right now to meditate on His awesomeness?