SCRIPTURE: Psalm 147
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” (Psalm 147:3-4)
A God that is both great (determines the stars) and good (heals the brokenhearted).
The gods of other religions are usually either great (strong, mighty) OR good (kind, forgiving, gentle).
But the true God is both GREAT and GOOD, and that is good news.
An all powerful God that is not all-loving does not inspire love, for what will He do?
And an all-loving God that is not all-powerful does not inspire hope, for what can he do?
The true God, the God behind the Universe, is perfect, everything we need Him to be.
The whole creation is in good hands, everything will work out right in the end!
To me, Jesus represents this God, the perfect blend of greatness and goodness.
Who is able to help, but also willing to help.
A king Who is not ashamed to touch the lowly, heal the sick, feed the hungry, forgive the guilty.
Yes, He is to be feared, but not a cowering fear, a deep loving fear.
“The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (Psalm 147:11)
Or as Frederick Faber put it:

O how I fear Thee, living God,
With deep and tender fear;
And worship Thee with trembling hope,
And penitential tears!
Yet, I may love Thee, too, O Lord,
Almighty as Thou art;
For Thou hast stooped to ask of me
The love of my poor heart!

Yes, it is good to sing praises to this God, pleasant and fitting to praise Jesus!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I can’t say it any better than this: O how I fear Thee, living God, With deep and tender fear; and worship Thee with trembling hope, and penitential tears! Yet, I may love Thee, too, O Lord, almighty as Thou art; for Thou hast stooped to ask of me the love of my poor heart!