Article February 27, 1937 Issue

Omnipotent God

[Written Especially for Young People]

RUTH W. LYMAN

What is it to worship God in "the beauty of holiness"? To know that God is omnipotent, and that man is one with God, therefore one with His power, is the attainment of holy worship. David had complete confidence that there was nothing outside of oneness with God, and sang, "Whither shall I flee from thy presence?" And yet a vexing problem may seem suddenly to make us believe that we are not in God's presence, that a set of erroneous conditions can oppose our holy worship of the one God.

This kind of argument faced a high-school student who found, at the end of the algebra period, that she was unable to grasp a single detail of the new work presented to the class. It seemed impossible to see how the assignment could be correctly worked out. Anxiety, dread, and even resentment crowded along with her into the next class, which would ordinarily have been a study hour, but on this day was given over to chorus practice. So, instead of an obedient young singer, there sat a rebellious and unhappy algebra student, determined to carry on her calculations under cover of many singing voices.

Now the class was rehearsing the Hallelujah chorus from Handel's "The Messiah," and it was not long before she was stirred by what was being sung. Over and over came the immortal words from St. John's Revelation, "The Lord God omnipotent reigneth." Deeper and deeper they penetrated the fog until she became conscious of the fact that this message was for her. The joy of understanding poured in, and her thought soared to the glorious of the unity with this omnipotence. In the radiance of realizing God's dear love, she was freed from any recollection of inadequacy, and with the understanding of spiritual power came mastery of the problem on hand. Quickly, easily, as though written before her eyes, the equation was unfolded in thought. Then came the desire to sing, loudly and happily, "The Lord God omnipotent reigneth."

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