OMG
“A.W. Tozer said, ‘What you think about God is the most important thing about you.’ Because the problem with most of us is that our God is too small. We fail to grasp the greatness and power and majesty of our Lord. Folks, if we ever get a glimpse of his glory, we would fall to our knees in worship. Paul says we are changed from glory to glory. We need to get a glimpse of His glory. It will change us and sustain us.” – Pastor Tony Walliser
Read Matthew 17:1-9
OMG
“Now, O my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.”
– 2 Chronicles 6:40 NASB
Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, do not be far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!
– Psalm 38:21-22 NASB
We use the text speak OMG in quick notes to one another when someone is excited or can’t believe what is being said. Usually said by a younger generation and slowly moving to the older.
We hear the phrase, “O my God.” on television most every night whether it be in a comedy or drama or even a news program. Again, it is usually said when someone is excited about something, or can’t believe what just happened. It also is used when someone is shocked or surprised in either a happy or exciting moment or in a sad, disappointing or serious moment.
For a number of years when my daughter was a little girl, any time she would hear that phrase on television or in a movie, she would instantaneously say, “O my GOSH” as if correcting the actor, the writer, the news reporter.
In the Old Testament, the term “O My God,” was a cry out to God from a hurting heart in great need. It was a cry out from deep in the soul of David in his moments of struggle and concern. It was also a call out to God in praise and thanksgiving.
OMG, when did we start taking the name of the Lord our God so lightly?
Seriously, when did we forget about the power of His name, the glory of His presence, the magnificence of His being?
When did crying out to God lose its meaning and its depth?
As I was dwelling on this week’s sermon, I began to remember a news piece that I saw this weekend that commented on the politics of the moment and the reporter loudly stated, “O My God” in his surprise over a moment in the story. Then, as I tried to put some of these thoughts together in my mind the old Kristian Stanfill song “Always” came on my music playlist. A worship anthem crying out to God:
“My foes are many, they rise against me
But I will hold my ground
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, my help is on the way
Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always
Troubles surround me, chaos abounding
My soul will rest in You
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, my help is on the way
Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
From You Lord, from You Lord
Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always
Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always, always”
And then my heart began to pray:
O my God, hear our heart cries… Help us remember your magnificence and your glory. O my God, please forgive us of our casual disrespect and the callousness of our walk… and our hearts. Help us know you more and better. Be glorified, O my God, be glorified in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.