From 1959 to 1967, TV host Art Linkletter hosted a show titled “Kids Say The Darndest Things.” My grandson Alex could have filled an entire episode.
At three and a half, Alex is fascinated by the Burj Khalifa, which at 2717 feet is the world’s tallest building. How a three-year-old knows about the Burj is a mystery to me, but it comes up in random conversations every few weeks.
I had the opportunity to see this amazing tower when I was in Dubai on a business trip. While I’m not comfortable with heights, I regret not going to the top of the Burj Khalifa. Imagine the view from half a mile above the Earth. One article says it is possible to see all of Dubai and the shores of Iran from the top.
One day Alex remarked that the Burj was taller than Goliath. The Bible says that Goliath stood around 9.5 feet tall. I don’t know whether Alex had a picture in his head of Goliath standing next to the Burj Khalifa. We pivoted to a discussion about how David relied on God to beat Goliath.
It was probably several weeks later when Alex randomly stated that if we were standing next to the Burj Khalifa, we would look like dots. I pictured Alex, at 38″ tall, standing next to the building that is 32604″ tall. Alex, that building is 1000 times as big as you.
Alex’s usual fascination is similar to that of most boys his age, dinosaurs. He wishes he was a velociraptor. Paleontologists estimate that adult velociraptors could grow up to 6.8 feet tall and weigh 31–43 pounds. So Alex, while you’re nowhere near as tall as a velociraptor today, you weigh just about as much as one.
Alex quipped that if a velociraptor attacked us, he would hide in my pants because dinosaurs spit out the clothes of whatever they eat. I’m not sure how he knew that.
Alex’s height comparisons bring to mind Job’s discussion with God. The Book of Job is fascinating in that it started with an off-stage discussion between God and Satan. Satan claimed that Job is faithful to God only because God blessed him with so much – a big family, many servants, and huge flocks and herds of animals.
Satan postured that if he removed all of Job’s blessings, Job would quickly curse God. God agreed to a controlled test and Job’s life quickly went south. His children and animals were killed. Marauding bands took his servants. Job was left with nothing but his faith.
Through long arguments with his friends, Job maintained his innocence. He had no hidden sin that would have caused God to punish him so thoroughly. Job challenged God to a court-like session where he would prove his innocence.
And then in a fascinating story twist, God answered Job. Job 38:1-2 starts with God thundering from heaven “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?”
The next four chapters are fascinating because God confronted Job with question after question that showcased the overwhelming difference between God and Job:
- Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations? (38:4)
- Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons (38:32)
- Do you send lightening bolts on their way? (38:35)
- Who has wisdom to count the clouds? (38:36)
Chris Tomlin captured the nature of God in his song “Indescribable” – a God that was and is as far beyond our imagination as the height of the Burj Khalifa is to my grandson.
No, we will never be as holy, as powerful, or as all-knowing as God. The Bible often used the Greek word “dunamis” to describe the power of God. This is the root to the word “dynamite”. God’s power is dynamite.
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- In Romans 1:16, Paul says that the Gospel is “the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes”.
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- In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells his disciples that they will receive power and tell people about him after the Holy Spirit comes upon them.
While God gives us His power to do His work, it is still His power and not ours.
Isaiah 55:8-9 reminded us as God reminded Job
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
And yet this same God humbled Himself to leave the glories of heaven, taking on the nature of a servant (Philippians 2:6-8).
Why did Jesus leave his rightful place in heaven to come down to earth? Why did He voluntarily die an extremely painful death on a cross for people that threw palm branches at His feet proclaiming Him King one week and yelled “Crucify Him!” not too many days later?
Out of obedience to His Father (Philippians 2:8) and out of His love for us (John 3:16).
At three and a half, Alex isn’t ready to hear the story of Job or of the crucifixion. But he can learn that while the Burj Khalifa is a lot bigger than him, there is a God Who is way bigger. A God that loves him beyond measure. A God that helped David kill the giant Goliath. And a God that would rescue him from velociraptors so he wouldn’t have to hide in his grandfather’s pants.
Today, know that the God who is bigger than Goliath and the Burj Khalifa loves you. Celebrate it.
Father, thank you for loving me beyond anything I could imagine. Don’t let me ever take that love for granted.
Images from Pixabay or generated by ChatGPT.
We learn much from littles.
I agree. We learn from children more often than not. In many instances, they are the best teachers. Let’s always remember how Jesus loved their unconditional hunger for God’s truth. :))))