How Great is My God!

How Great is My God!

“God is great.” This is a statement I have heard and said many times in my life. Unfortunately, too often we say or sing statements or even exclamations that we don’t realize the true meaning of. Statements become cliché and roll off the tongue without any thought. Sadly, this is the case with many of God’s attributes. We know they are true, but we don’t grasp the true meaning behind the saying. Will I ever truly grasp God’s greatness? Not this side of eternity. However, God’s creation gives me a glimpse, and taking the time to study that creation, specifically where angels are concerned, has broadened that glimpse. Have you ever had one of those experiences where God reveals something to you about Himself, possibly just for a moment, and the light of understanding clicks on and you just marvel at God? That light clicked on for me while studying Satan. That may seem strange, but that strangeness makes it all the more amazing. God is so great that His greatness is revealed in His enemy!

The first testimony of God’s greatness that I see in Satan is revealed in his creation. God, in His omniscience as well as His prescience, knew that Satan would fall. However, this did not keep God from creating him, nor did this knowledge change how God created him. Satan was created with the necessary attributes of a person: intellect, emotion, and will. Satan was created in perfection, filling the pattern in both wisdom and beauty. Satan was created as a cherub, the highest order of angelic beings. A common misconception is that God and Satan are equal and are locked in an epic battle, the winner unknown. However, the truth is God is so much greater than Satan! God created Satan, proving they are not on equal ground. But we can even take it a step further. God’s greatness is so immense that He does not fear giving His creation choice of his own destiny. Therefore, He gave Satan the ability to think, to feel, and, most importantly, to choose. Additionally, He gave Satan perfection – wisdom, beauty, the highest position. Would anyone but the omnipotent God give one He knew would become His enemy these attributes? God’s greatness is not just found in the fact that He does not fear Satan. God’s ultimate greatness is found in the fact that He willingly created, in perfection, someone who would choose to oppose Him.

The second testimony of God’s greatness that I see in Satan is revealed in his restriction. Angels are amazing creatures. They are immortal, mighty in strength, and powerful. Even their appearance produces fear. Satan was the anointed cherub, the highest angel in the highest order of angelic beings. I can only imagine the type of power he has. Even Michael, the great archangel, did not rebuke Satan in Jude 9. But however “great” Satan is, God is greater! All the power that Satan has is limited. God’s power, however, is unlimited. And even with his great power, Satan can only do what God permits him to do. Just the fact that Satan, in his immortality, strength, and power, is subject to God’s will would be sufficient to show God’s greatness, but once again we can take it a step further. God actually uses Satan! All of Satan’s great plans, conceived in his perfection of wisdom, can be used to bring glory to God. Even when Satan tempts believers or causes negative circumstances to try their faith, God can receive the glory! The believers are forced to rely on God even more during these difficult times and can even grow in their faith and their walk with God because of them. So I see God’s greatness in how He not only restricts His enemy but uses him for His purpose.

The study of Satanology sounds like it should be all about Satan, but in reality, it’s all about God. He is so great that even the study of His enemy becomes about His greatness and His glory! Through this study, I have come to have a better understanding of God’s person. I love that God did not just create “robot” beings to worship Him, but that He actually gives His creation, even His enemy, the choice to do so, making the worship of Him so much sweeter and more meaningful. I have also come to have a better understanding of God’s control. Even the greatest created being is under the control of God. Seeing God’s control makes me realize how futile my fears of temporal issues are. I can easily get caught up in fears and concerns as I esteem people in this world. But when I remember that angels are more powerful than people and Satan was the most powerful angel and God created and controls him, what have I to fear? How great is my God!