In 1885, Carl Boberg, a Swedish Pastor, was walking home one day from a church service in a nearby town when a thunderstorm unexpectedly appeared on the horizon. He hurried to take shelter where he watched the lightning streak across the black sky, listened to the rolls of thunder, and felt the violent wind whip around the house. After the thunderstorm finished, a beautiful rainbow could be seen circling the sky. As Mr. Boberg continued his way home, a fresh breeze gently caressed his face and the sound of the birds chirping and church bells tolling reached his ears. When he entered his house, he threw open his window. The stark contrast between the violent thunderstorm and the peaceful calm that followed, prompted him to fall on his knees in wonder before God. That day, he was inspired to write a poem titled, “O store Gud,” known today as “How Great Thou Art.”
Oh Lord, my God When I, in awesome wonder Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder Thy power throughout the universe displayed
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin
Refrain
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart Then I shall bow, in humble adoration And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art
What a great God we serve! Sometimes, a sense of overwhelming reverence for who God is wells up inside of me, compelling me to bow in awesome wonder before the Throne of God. The powerful thunderstorms, the beautiful sunsets, the mysterious night sky, these inspire my soul to sing, “my God how great Thou art.” I find myself pondering how even the most majestic night skies will not even compare to the glory that awaits us in Heaven. The most beautiful sunset cannot compete with how beautiful our Savior will be when we see Him face to face. One of my favorite Bible verses is Psalm 8:3-5:
“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor”
Who am I that the Lord of the universe would be mindful of me? Why would He look upon a sinner such as I? What unfathomable love and grace He bestows! To think that on that cross, my burden He gladly bore. He bled and died to take away the sins of humanity! Indeed, my soul sings: my God, how great Thou art!
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