“Is God’s greatness good news? Not without the next four words of John 3:16: ‘For God so loved the world.’ Try that mantra on for size. The one who holds the aces holds your heart. The one who formed you pulls for you. Untrumpable power stoked by unstoppable love.”- Max Lucado
“To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him?”- Isaiah 40:18 (ESV)
In Chapter 2 (“No One Like Him”) of 3:16 – The Numbers of Hope, Max Lucado tells of a pilot’s unilateral decision to remove Max and Denalyn from his plane. Because Denalyn came down with a virus. As a result, Max and his wife felt disheartened by the pilot’s stoic pronouncement.
Most significantly, Max observes:
“You may feel similar sentiments about the pilot of the universe. God: the too-busy-for-you commander in chief, the faceless skipper who passes down nonnegotiable decisions. Even worse, you may suspect a vacant captain’s seat. How do we know a hand secures the controls? Can we assume the presence of a pilot?”
However, Max stresses, Christ weight in solidly on this discussion. He unlocks the door to God. Hence, Jesus affirms what Scripture declares: God is.
But is this greatness of God good news? An eternal God, Max notes, who invented time and owns the patent. And, Pastor Lucado adds:
“Life is to God what wetness is to water and air is to wind. He is not just alive but life itself. God is, without help.”
As Max quips, compared to God, he has the life span of a fruit fly. And he can’t maintain a holy thought for his two-minute morning commute. Thus, the four words after for God in John 3:16 provide the good news: so loved the world.
In conclusion, Max exhorts, trust the arms of God you feel and believe you hear His voice. Receive His comfort. Certainly, at times life seems to fall to pieces and appears irreparable. Therefore, at such times know that God so loved the world.
Today’s question: At what times do you need to try that mantra (John 3:16) on for size? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Tornado into chaos when crises surface”
