The Greatest Thing

470 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 7:23,24 "And who is like Your people, like Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make for Himself a name-and to do for Youself great and awesome deeds for Your land-before Your people whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, the nations, and their gods? 24 "For You have made Your people Israel Your very own people forever; and You, LORD, have become their God. (2 Sam 7:23,24) Israel, a type of the modern day Church with a capital C. The Church (Capital C) is the One group of people that God has called with the gospel by which we understand and believe the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the cross. He has done this as He did for the Israelites, to make a name for Himself, the idea being to establish a reputation. His reputation is greatly enhanced among mortals when they observe the changed lives of those who have put their trust in Jesus. Sometimes I think we forget how much God wants to enhance His reputation through us. We forget that truth found in 2Ch 16:9, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” God desires to exhibit His strength and power to the world through those whose heart is united with His. He wants to do great and mighty things through us, so the world will know that He has associated Himself with us. God granted many miraculous signs and wonders to the early church. They were awesome deeds just like the awesome deeds He performed for the Israelites. He is still performing these deeds today as He sees fit. As Jesus said in Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” Greater works? Greater works than what was witnessed in the natural realm? What could those be? What greater things will God do through us to enhance His reputation? What greater things will He do through us to show the world that He is associated with us? The answer of course is love. Jesus said, the world will know that we are connected to Him by our love for one another. Oh God, grant me that perfect heart, that others will know that I am associated with You.