Writing Himself Into the Story

God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Acts 17:24

Famed author Kurt Vonnegut is one of the most curious writers of the 20^th century.  He makes elaborate and strange fictions…but then some think he will often write himself into those fictions through a recurring character named Kilgore Trout.  In order to create these fictions he must exist outside of them…were he limited by them the author could not plan them and shape the story and the characters to an effective and meaningful end.  Yet, while everything is ultimately his design, there may be a time to come into the story and interact with the characters he made.

In a similar manner, we see that God created the heavens and the earth, yet he is in no ways contained by these limitations.  While we can encounter God anywhere, we find that He is not confined to be in one place at a time, because the entire cosmos is His creative work.  Still, the best chapters of this story are when God writes His Son Jesus Christ in as the main character…to bring the story to a most meaningful and glorious conclusion.

Greatness

³Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
And His greatness is unsearchable. Psalm 145:3

In his play Twelfth Night, Shakespeare tells us “some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.”  We often ask ourselves how we can move something from “good to great”.  When it comes to God’s character we are told he is great.  The first time “great” is used in this verse it is the Hebrew word gadol meaning big, immense, or large.  It can mean something that is physically large or vast, or in as a figure of speech for unseen attributes. 

“greatly to be praised” is a different Hebrew word ma’od which as the idea of his praise (in this case) justly always multiplying.  Finally, the nature of his greatness (back to the root word gadol) is expressed as being unsearchable.  Try as we might, we will never find the end of his perfection in every attribute and fullness.  We will spend all eternity marveling at his greatness…and the only appropriate way to respond is to multiply our praises unto Him.

Infinity

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built! 1 Kings 8:27

The Temple Solomon built was a marvel.  The beauty of it had been unparalleled.  It had been planned and supplied for by King David, and it was placed exactly where God had designed man to meet him as a permanent and unmoving version of the tents of the Holy Tabernacle before.  Finally, God had a house that was permanent, beautiful, meaningful and glorious.  Yet, Solomon realized that this was very different from the pagan temples that are seen throughout the world.  God would not be contained in this beautiful temple…for even the heavens could do not contain God.  For us the concept of “infinity” is incomprehensible.  However, it is important to realize that God is not a part of our world system.  He transcends and supersedes all of the limitations and laws of time and space.  Put simply – the God we serve is never stumped by the situation, He never needs to rush to be somewhere in time, he never gets caught unaware.  You can trust in Him.