Great is the Lord

Friday, January 17, 2025

Today’s Readings: Genesis 32-34; Psalm 145; Mark 13

³ Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Ps 145:3). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

As Jesus walked out of the temple with His disciples in Mark 13 the disciples marveled at the structure. They gave particular praise to the “wonderful” stones. The stones used in the construction of that temple, which is commonly called the “Second Temple,” were impressive. One of the stones that still remains is 45 feet long, 11.5 feet wide, and 12 feet long. It is estimated to weigh 570 tons! That’s an estimate because who can weigh it? The temple was expanded and enhanced by Herod the Great and that’s why it is sometimes referred to as “Herod’s Temple.” The temple was awe-inspiring. Its perimeter was nearly a mile long and it was twice the size of the Acropolis in Athens. For its size and beauty, Herod’s Temple exceeded most of the seven wonders of the world!

But it’s gone. Although a portion of a retaining wall remains on the Temple Mount (the “Wailing Wall”) Herod’s Temple was utterly destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70—just as Jesus prophesied. His words remain as a reminder to us that nothing in this world is eternal. Psalm 102 says, “Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end. The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you” (verses 25-28).

God “changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings” (Daniel 2:21), but He remains. He alone is eternal. He is “the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God,” and to Him belongs all “honor and glory forever and ever” (1 Timothy 1:17). That’s what David says in Psalm 145. “I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever” (verses 1,2).

We are prone, if we are not careful, to give too much praise to things that are not permanent. There’s nothing wrong with admiring something that is beautiful or appreciating something because it is impressive, inspiring, or interesting. But we must not put our hope in them because they are imperfect and impermanent. “Man’s nature,” John Calvin wrote, “is a perpetual factory of idols.” That is, our love for and attachment to some part of creation can sometimes supplant our love for the Creator. That is the subtle rebuke that Jesus gave to His disciples: “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” That’s the inevitable end of everything that is not in Christ, which is why we must build our life upon Him (Matthew 7:24-27).

In fact, consider the irony that the disciples said to the One who had made those stones, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones!” I’m not trying to pick on the disciples. They get a bad rap sometimes. But I do want to draw your attention away from the things that often occupy our affections and show you Him who alone deserves our praise and worship: Jesus Christ, the Son of God. “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3).

Psalm 145 is one of my favorites. It “extols” the greatness of God and glorifies His goodness. “The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made” (verses 8-9). It has ministered to me during times of great discouragement and distress. “The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works. The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down” (verses 13,14). It gives me hope and encouragement. “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them” (verses 18,19). Psalm 145 describes the nature of the eternal God and in it we see the reflection of Jesus Christ.

I invite you today to take your eyes off of other things and put them on Jesus. Look to Him and be amazed. Look to Him and be encouraged. Take a few minutes. Listen to this song and have a happy weekend!