Book Review: Gripped by the Greatness of God

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Book Review by Miguel Paredes

Title:  Gripped by the Greatness of God

Author:  James MacDonald

Publisher:  Moody

There is so much greatness in this world. The San Antonio Spurs put on quite the display in the 2014 NBA Finals. Payton Manning recently broke the record for career touchdown passes. Perhaps the greatness of the latest technological advancements gets your attention. Many things or people on earth attain the status of greatness from us. Has the Almighty been worthy of such acclaim from you lately?

God does not need our recognition to rightly be acknowledged as great. Regardless of our thinking, emotions, or actions, God’s greatness is undeniable.

James MacDonald’s book, Gripped by the Greatness of God, will walk you through six passages out of the book of Isaiah. MacDonald expounds on the following themes:

• The holiness of God
• The awesomeness of God
• The sovereignty of God
• The works of God
• The worship of God
• My identity in God.

Holiness is an attribute that sets God apart from fallen humanity. Though it distinguishes us, it is a quality that ought to cause us to be in awe of God and to respect Him. We know that the moral purity of God is impossible to experience or grasp this side of resurrection. Yet God sent His son so that, in faith and in the power of His Holy Spirit, we can live to please the Lord.

Awesome is a word that is tossed around freely and loosely. MacDonald believes that it should be reserved for God alone. Something awesome is totally breathtaking and utterly overwhelming. The book of Isaiah displays God’s awesomeness, but we often miss it. It is awesome that God would send His only offspring to save humanity from sin, but we miss it.

Most people reject a lot of the authority placed in our lives. If we cannot easily submit to earthly authority, how do we submit to the ruler of the whole universe? Every aspect of our lives is ordained by Him. Every good, bad, and ugly occurrence is allowed by God. It is not always a comforting thought, but Sovereign is who He is. Can we really submit to His authority?

Grace and forgiveness is the work of God that MacDonald points out. Grace is God’s undeserved favor disposed to humanity. Forgiveness is at the root of what we need from God to move forward from the depths of shame and guilt for the wrong we do. Without these significant works of God there is little hope on earth and less for eternity with a Holy God.

The greatness of God deserves our sincere and genuine worship. Our worship and admiration of earthly idols is often more passionate than our worship of the holy, awesome, and sovereign God whose works are for our benefit.

This book is simple and refreshing. I am currently doing a Bible study with some friends from this book. It has helped me refocus on the basics of the person of a God who deserves my attention, reverence and submission.