AMAZING

Mk. 1:22
“They were amazed at His teaching;
for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

I did a little study in the New Testament on the word “amazed.”  Here are some sample occurrences:  “the crowds were amazed (Matt. 7:28),” “the men were amazed (Matt. 8:27),” the disciples were amazed (Matt. 21:20),” “they were all amazed (Mk. 1:27),” even “Pilate was amazed (Mk. 15:5).”  The reason I looked this up is that I am often amazed at what God does.  And it made me feel good that I am not alone in that. 

Sometimes it seems like I shouldn’t be amazed or astounded or astonished.  After all, I went to school, I should know better.  I know that God’s power is unlimited.  I know that His love is everlasting.  I know that His ways are perfect and just and true.  So I shouldn’t be surprised by the wondrous things He does.  But, on the other hand, Jesus remained amazing even to his own disciples. 

So I’ve decided that it is OK to be amazed by God.  It is just our natural acknowledgment that we don’t have Him figured out.  It is even further evidence that God is God.  I imagine it was just this realization that caused Paul to erupt with an outburst of praise in Romans 11:33-36:  “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!  "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"  "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"  For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. 

Yeah, . . . Amen!    

--- Pastor Keith Andrews