“Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.“

Psalm 86:8-10 

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AUGUST 27, 2025

The spiritual beings who exist beyond our sight do not ordinarily come to our attention. We know that angels are actively doing the bidding of God; we know Satan and his demons are real. Here the psalmist asserts the greatness of God, who cannot be compared to other spiritual beings because His works so far exceed those of anyone else.   

We know there is only one Triune God who created the universe and who has provided the means for salvation through the incarnation and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. As followers of Jesus, we would assert that the first coming of the Christ has been the ultimate deed of God on behalf of humans thus far.  

God created the nations, all of whom will one day come and worship Him with recognition of His divine attributes. There will be representation from every nation, people group, and tongue gathered in worship around the His throne in heaven. No nationality, ethnicity, or language will be excluded. This will be the ultimate and true diversity, equality, and inclusion! The psalmist goes on to reiterate the greatness and the power of God to do marvelous deeds, because He alone is God. 

Returning to our question “Why ask?” let us ponder to whom we are addressing our requests. We are petitioning the living God, who has no equal. We cannot begin to appreciate His greatness, and His acts are beyond comparison. How do we formulate a request to such a One? Can we even know what to ask of One so inexplicable? 

The answer is a resounding “Yes!” While the living God is incomprehensible, His ear is always open to our cry. He knows our needs even before we ask. He is for us. The living God is not aloof to our pain and distress. He sees us and listens to our voices. His answers to our requests are in keeping with His greatness, because they bring glory to His name. We often have in mind what we think God should do in answer to our asking, but He alone is God.  

We are not God. We ask for good things on behalf of our loved ones and ourselves, and rightfully so. But He alone is God, therefore we must come with open hands. He is unlimited in His ability to respond to our requests, but He is also sovereign in His dealings with us. He is not capricious or fickle. He alone is God, and He is faithful to act in accordance with His greatness.     

Questions for reflection and discussion:  

  • How does the statement “You alone are God” inform our responses regarding His answers to our requests?  
  • What are you asking God for?  
  • How has the greatness of God been revealed to you in His responses to your requests?    

Church Reading Plan: 1 Samuel 19; 1 Corinthians 1