Praise to you O Lord, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O Lord, are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty for all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours.  I Chronicles 29:11  

There is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as a ransom for all.  I Timothy 2:5-6  

Today’s verse from I Chronicles is part of a prayer of praise and Thanksgiving spoken by David as he nears the end of his reign and his life. He wanted to build a magnificent temple to God, and now has the people agreeing to do this. Money and supplies have been gathered; it is left to Solomon to complete the task. David recognizes that this is not something that he has done, not a human accomplishment. He and the people joyfully praise the Lord.  

It is the Lord who is worthy of praise, the Lord who is present for ever and ever, from the beginning of creation. Paul too writes of the greatness of God. He states that there is one God, not a bunch of gods, or idols. Not a god who shows up occasionally and leaves people on their own. Rather Paul celebrates a God who is present with us. One God, one who created everything, and is so holy that we mere humans could not think of approaching. How can we ever approach such a wonderful, great, holy and powerful being?  

The answer is that we can’t do that by any effort of ourselves. Rather God has provided a mediator for us. Jesus was sent to be this mediator, between God and all of mankind, all humans. Jesus didn’t bring salvation just to a few, as Paul says He “gave himself as a ransom for all.” That’s all, everybody, the people we love, the people we hate and the people we ignore. By the grace of God, salvation is available to everyone in the community of God through Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit.    

O Lord, you are great and powerful. We praise you for your glory and majesty. Majestic Lord, we worship you with our voices raised for your creation of our world. In your infinite wisdom, you gave your only son to us, an imperfect and sinful people. Through Christ, we are reconciled to you. Because you first loved us, we in turn love others; help us to pray for our enemies as well as our friends. . May your light of grace help us to walk with you and share your love with all.  Amen.  

Chris Gabel 

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party