The Man Upstairs

“See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?  At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’” (Hebrews 12:25-29 NIV)

Last night, after his team was victorious in the Super Bowl, Peyton Manning said he wanted to thank “the man upstairs” for the experience of winning the title.  It never ceases to amaze me how casually people take the Almighty God.  From referring to Him as someone rather like an affable uncle living in the attic to the “Hey God” with which many begin their prayers, as if He is merely an acquaintance dropping in for a chat.  Many seem to treat the God of the universe like the person next door and not that big of deal.  Think about that for a moment.

We worship the God who created everything and owns everything.  He is the God before whom all will bow and confess that He is Lord. And He is the God who will be our Judge. Can we really treat Him casually?

I think the casualness of our society has crept into our view of God. Because we treat everyone, our President, our professors or bosses, and our parents with such nonchalance despite their roles of authority in our lives, I think we have unconsciously forgotten how truly awesome (meaning the historic definition of that term) the Lord is.  He is far above and beyond anyone we have experienced or can imagine.  He is not just another friend, or a casual acquaintance, or someone who lives a floor above us.  He is God, the One and Only.  His power is unfathomable.  There is no one like Him or who can come anywhere close to being compared to Him.  

So, today, let’s stop with this nonsense that we can treat the God of the universe so casually.  Have we lost our minds?!  Instead, let us recognize who He truly is and approach Him with the reverence and awe He deserves. 

© Jim Musser 2016