Just How Big Is God?

That’s a weighty question, but one worth asking. This is especially true when we start to consider that if He is truly gargantuan, then why doesn’t He immediately solve our problems? Why, if He’s powerful, does He delay?

Let’s get into it.

We get our first hint regarding His size in the book of Ephesians. It says, “[Jesus] ascended higher than the heavens in order to fill the whole universe.” (Ephesians 4:10b, NIV)

So, if He ascended even higher than the heavens in order to FILL the whole universe–and we know from telescopes that there are over 100 billion galaxies–then we get our first hint that He is utterly MASSIVE. That is why the Scriptures remind us that though the Earth is very large, it is a mere footstool for our God (Isaiah 66:1).

Hint number two: Revelation 5:11 tells us that just around God’s throne are 10,000 x 10,000 angels. If you’re doing your math correctly, that is one hundred million angels just around His throne. It really begs the question. If there are that many just around His throne, how many exist through the rest of heaven? How many are wandering the earth on mission? Is He continuously creating new angels, just like He’s continuously creating new humans? Since God is a Creator and creators love to create, my assumption is YES.

Which draws us back to his colossal nature. It really cannot even be fathomed by the human mind. But let’s keep going.

Hint number three: Those angels I just mentioned? Yea, He commands armies of them. Not “army.” Not singular. “Armies.” Plural. Isaiah 14:24 says, “ The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sworn this oath: ‘It will happen as I have planned. It will be as I have decided.’” Not only does this verse reference the substantial host of heaven, but it also points to His power. He secures His plans and they will not be thwarted. He is an unstoppable God. Hallelujah!

As we consider His overwhelming size, we gain a whole new perspective on one of His character traits: His omnipresence. He is able to be omnipresent due to His ascension, which allowed Him to take His rightful place on His throne to fill the entire universe. And due to his omnipresence, He can indwell each one us with His Holy Spirit and still be present elsewhere all at the same time.

Yet, what absolutely brings me to my knees is the fact that our God is so big…so mighty…so overwhelmingly majestic, yet He says that we are His friend if we trust in Him (John 15:15).

Yet He says that He knows the exact number of hairs on our head (Luke 12:7).

Yet He says that if we love Him and obey Him, He will “come to them and make our home with them” (John 14:23). In what universe do we deserve to have the God of all Creation come and make His dwelling and His home with sinful us? Yet, He chooses to put His Holy Spirit in us. And by that Spirit He guides us (John 16:13), teaches us all things (John 14:26), comforts us (John 14:26), and helps us (John 14:16).

In other words, Jesus is so colossal that He controls it all. But He’s so personal that He involves Himself intricately in our daily life. No problem we have will ever be too big for our God because He literally consumes the whole universe with His power. His power permeates the entire atmosphere and is inescapable.

But that then begs the question: If God is everywhere, and His power is inescapable, why do I still have problems? Why doesn’t He eliminate them immediately if He so clearly can do so?

To be honest, an entire book could be written on this subject, and likely already has been. So, we will have to do Cliff’s Notes answer here. God doesn’t always solve our problems instantaneously because He often chooses to shape us through the conduit of suffering. There is something so unique about suffering that changes our hearts from hearts-of-stone into malleable flesh. It is when we are most vulnerable and broken that we finally accept that the Potter must mold His clay (Jeremiah 18:6).

But also, sometimes Christ simply offers us an opportunity to exercise our faith muscle as we wait for His intervention in our Earthly problems. It is often in these moments that we are given a clear choice: choose faith or choose doubt. He gives us the opportunity to choose Him. This is a critical portion of our faith journey because we know that “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). He wants us to please Him, so He offers us opportunities to do so.

However, let’s be clear. He does not ever delay His timing longer than necessary. In His pristine and omniscient timing, He acts on our behalf. He answers our prayers. He displays His power.

He is always near. Always a Comforter. Always a friend, even in the waiting.

And so we trust Him; we trust our colossal God.

And we remind ourselves that in His overwhelmingly powerful nature, He still allows us to call Him “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15).

You can trust Him today. He’s in control. And He loves you with the tender mercies of a big, powerful, loving Father. He is near and holding you tenderly as you walk through the fire.

Until next time,

Liz

Want to have me come speak for your church or group?

Make an inquiry here: