1 Chronicles 29:11

[11] Yours, Lord is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and on the earth; Your is the dominion, Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.   (NASB)

[11] Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. (NLT)

[11] All that is great and powerful and glorious and victorious and majestic is Yours, O Eternal One. Indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth belongs to You. The kingdom belongs to You, O Eternal One, and You are the head of it all. (VOICE)

David starts this prayer of praise by saying that everything is God’s. However, he names five things in specificity: greatness, power, glory, victory, and majesty. What are these things?

Greatness is the Hebrew noun gduwlah (guh-doo-lah). It encapsulates the concept of divine greatness and God’s powerful acts. It’s a key term to understand what the nature of God is about. It highlights His power, majesty, and deeds he performs for us. This is a god that split the Red Sea for his chosen people, who moved mountains with the faith of a mustard seed, who resurrected his only son for us. This is something that we often don’t think about in our daily life, thinking that God has never moved like this for us. Did he ever rescue you from a toxic job or relationship? Did he ever keep you from severe physical harm? Did he return a child from living a sinful life? God does move in our lives, but often in ways we don’t recognize until we reflect on it.

Power is the Hebrew noun gbuwrah (ghev-oo-RAW). It’s a concept that combines the concept of strength, valor, and victory. We often see it in the Old Testament to describe physical strength, military prowess, acts of bravery, and divine power. God was able to withstand any rebellion from his chosen people, any battle against the evil spirits, and any issue that came across his past. He also protects us from these things. We have a share of this strength found in the Holy Spirit, living within us. We can lean on the Spirit and strength of God in our hearts to go out and do the things that scare us, that make us uncomfortable, and the things that make us who God wants us to become.

Glory is the Hebrew noun tiph’arah (tif-aw-raw). It refers to the beauty or glory of God, His creation, or His people. It could reference physical adornments or metaphorical splendor. It includes both tangible and intangible forms of splendor. I’m reminder of a video that the Skit Guys made called “God’s Chisel.” TLDR: I’m reminded that God doesn’t create junk. God creates masterpieces. God is a potter, and we are the clay. We are made in God’s image, a reflection of who he is to share with others here on earth. God’s beauty is something that we see in each other, in the landscapes of the world, in the acts of love and compassion – it’s in these things where the message and meaning of God speaks the loudest.

Victory is the Hebrew word howd (hode). This word is associated with God’s power and the splendor of creation. It describes the glory of God, the beauty of the earth, and the honor bestowed upon individuals. It just reminds me of how much of a provider God is. God’s creation provides enough for us to sustain ourselves for all of our lives. God’s glory allows us to sustain his creation in order for us to provide for each other. We struggle with it, though. We struggle with making sure we use the resources that God has provided for us so that we can do his will for us and also ensure that our neighbors around us have their needs met to make it happen for them too.

Majesty is the Hebrew noun netsach (nay-tsakh). It highlights the importance of understanding and seeking the eternal nature of God’s truths and promises. It talks about the concepts of eternity, everlasting truth, and perpetual splendor. God’s promises never falter. They never get broken. God’s promises for us lasts forever. We have to be willing to search his words for his truths for what his promises entail and how we need to ensure that we embrace his will for us.

Next slice of Manna: Manna for the Mind #222