I Serve an Awesome God

The fourth day of our trip to Israel was exhilarating, as well as, sobering. We visited the Tel Dan Conservatory where we witnessed the beauty of God's Creation when adequate nourishment and water abounds.  Flowing streams, green trees and beautifully colored bushes and flowers greeted us on either side of the path as we made our way over rocks and bridges which finally led us to the place in the ancient city of Dan where Aaron erected the golden calf as a god for worship.

Tel Dan Conservatory

Water running along the walk way!

Bushes and flowers along our path!

This is the area Aaron sacrificed the Golden Calf

 

An area of the city of Dan

Area of sacrifices to the god, Pan in Caesarea Phillipi

 Add to this the visit to Caesarea Philippi, a city built on top of a massive rock structure towering over 100 feet, where the  false god Pan was worshipped, and I can't help wondering how people could be so deceived.  This area gave me chills.  We saw where parents sacrificed their children in an attempt to please this false god, as well as other gods worshipped in that time.

Area of Caesarea Phillipi

The area of sacrifices to the god of Pan in Caesarea Phillipi

      Yet, the Bible indicates it was just outside Caesarea Philippi Jesus asked Peter, "Who do people say that I am?"  And ultimately this is the place where Peter was given the name "Rock" and told that Christ's church would be built on him.   Matthew 16:13-18  When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"  They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."  "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"  Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.  And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

What was amazing here also included the knowledge that we walked where Abraham walked!  The gate which has only been excavated and restored since 2004, would have been the gate Abraham entered into the city of Dan when he rescued his nephew Lot.   

You have this horrible evil  of child sacrifice to false gods on one hand; but because God is sovereign and rules, God used Caesarea Phillipi to demonstrate that He is greater than any rock or god we, as humans, can conjure up in our minds!  And Aaron's golden calf was destroyed and God again was proved to be the only God to be served and offered forgiveness for those who would choose to repent.  

For each case, there was something horrible, yet we can see another side, because God demonstrated something good.  Near the area around where the people worshipped a golden calf, we have Abraham's gate.  Abraham was godly man, whose faith pleased God.    Near Caesarea Phillipi we have God's demonstration of his strength through Peter as the Rock.  God can take something very awful and make something beautiful.    This also applies to our lives.  He has a way of using disappointments and the bad things of life to show his power, mercy and amazing love. 

I serve an awesome and powerful God.  He cares about every part of my life and every person in it, as well as your life and the people you know and love.  Does he rule in your life?   Do you see his power demonstrated every day?