Behold Your God

Amen. All right, go ahead and have a seat.

Scripture Reference

Behold your God. (Isaiah 40:9; 40:10)

Introduction

Title: “Behold Your God”

Preacher: Dr. Dean Miller Sr.

This message draws us back to Isaiah 40 and the timeless command: “Behold your God.” The sermon calls believers to move beyond mere knowledge about God and into an intimate, living relationship with Him. Dr. Miller, with decades of pastoral experience, reminds us that God is immensely great—omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent—and yet desirous of personal fellowship. He uses biblical imagery (bridegroom, mother, hen, eagle) and personal testimony to help us see God’s greatness and His tender care.

Amen. All right, go ahead and have a seat. Boy, it’s good to see you out tonight.

Quote from Preacher

Amen. All right, go ahead and have a seat. Boy, it’s good to see you out tonight. I mean, after that big day this morning and everything. Got a few empty chairs here. That means we need to go out Soul wedding, right? I might just change my message and preach on that a little bit. No, I want to do this, though. I want to say what some of you have said in your testimony. The church has been a blessing. Not only this time, but every time we’ve been here, it’s been a blessing. You folks are. You really do know how to love somebody, and I appreciate that very much.

Outline

Behold: Stop, Steadily Gaze
1. Meaning of “Behold”
  “Behold” calls for a steady, focused gaze. It is an invitation to stop casual familiarity and to look intently at God’s person and work (Isaiah 40:9).
2. Practical implication
  We must pause routine religion and intentionally focus on the Lord. That means time in Scripture, prayer, and deliberate fellowship with God rather than only talking about Him.
The Greatness of God: Attributes to Know
1. Omnipotent
  Jesus declared all power is given unto Him. God’s sovereign power means nothing is beyond His control—oceans, mountains, nations (Isaiah 40:10–12, 17).
2. Omniscient
  God knows all—every thought, every hair upon our head. This is not menacing; it is comforting. The One who knows you fully also loves you and cares for you.
3. Omnipresent
  God is everywhere—near us in trials, far across the sea, in heaven and upon earth simultaneously. Because He is present, He can minister to us in every circumstance.
Knowing God vs. Knowing About God
1. Saved but not intimate
  Many Christians know facts about God (Creator, sinless, resurrected Lord) but do not know Him personally in daily fellowship. Dr. Miller warns against this half-life of Christianity.
2. The Holy Spirit’s role
  We are sealed by the Holy Spirit. He is not an abstract influence but a Person dwelling in us to counsel, guide, and comfort. Knowing God should include sensitivity to the Spirit.
3. The call to deeper prayer life
  A living relationship with God is expressed by talking to Him—first thing in the morning and last thing at night—bringing needs, thanks, and concerns into intimate fellowship.
God’s Care Illustrated: Biblical Comparisons
1. As bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride (Isaiah 62:5)
  God rejoices over His people like a groom rejoices over his bride. This is affectionate, delighted care—personal and relational, not merely administrative.
2. As one whom his mother comforteth (Isaiah 66:13)
  God comforts us tenderly, like a mother. He not only disciplines but comforts wounded hearts and brings soothing presence to the afflicted.
3. As a hen gathereth her chickens (Matthew 23:37)
  Christ pictured Himself as willing to shelter and protect, calling His people under His wings in danger—personal protection in storms of life.
4. As an eagle that stirreth up her nest and beareth on wings (Deuteronomy 32:11–12)
  God sometimes stirs us out of comfort so we will look up, see His greatness, and be carried by Him. He both disciplines for maturity and rescues with tender power—flinging us into flight when He has made us ready.
Practical Lessons from the Illustrations
1. God’s grandeur gives confidence
  If God holds oceans in His hand and measures mountains, He can handle your needs. Big God means big provision and protection.
2. God’s tenderness assures comfort
  When the world wounds you, God acts as mother and shepherd—comforting, feeding, and gently leading (Isaiah 40:11).
3. God’s discipline promotes growth
  When God stirs the nest, He intends for you to rise in maturity. Trials can be instruments by which God teaches dependence and prepares us for ministry.
Challenge to the Church
1. Move from knowledge to intimacy
  The church must foster people who truly know God—not just know about God. That requires discipleship, prayer, and Bible-saturated living.
2. Commit to spiritual growth
  Young adults and all believers are exhorted to pursue maturity—study the Word, seek the Holy Spirit’s counsel, and be willing to be used in ministry.
3. Expect God to work
  Dr. Miller’s testimony of God’s faithfulness—even amid attacks and personal illness—encourages bold faith: God will restore, protect, and use His people.

Summary

“Behold Your God” is both an exhortation and a promise. Isaiah and our Lord provide vivid, simple pictures drawn from daily life—bridegroom, mother, hen, eagle—to help us apprehend who God is and how He engages with His people. God is irresistibly great (holding seas in His hand, weighing mountains), yet tenderly near (comforting like a mother, sheltering like a hen). The problem is not God’s availability; it is our passivity. We often settle for knowing about God rather than knowing God. The remedy is to obey the command: behold—stop and gaze steadily. Let the Holy Spirit draw you into daily fellowship, prayer, and Scripture so you move from head-knowledge into intimate, life-changing relationship.

I don’t know who all did it because it’s impossible, but the ladies that fixed that meal today was second to none.

Quote to Ponder

I don’t know who all did it because it’s impossible, but the ladies that fixed that meal today was second to none. I’m on a special diet, but I broke it. I couldn’t help but eat that. Deserved, man.

Application for the Week

The sermon calls for practical, measurable steps you can take this week to “behold your God.” Below are actionable items designed to move you from knowing about God to knowing Him.

Daily 10-minute Beholding Time
Set aside 10 minutes each morning this week to “behold”—read Isaiah 40 slowly, pray aloud one sentence of praise (e.g., “Lord, You are mighty and You love me”), and sit quietly to sense the Holy Spirit’s presence. Commit to this for seven days.
Scripture and Reflection
1. Read Isaiah 40:9–11 and Deuteronomy 32:11–12 once this week.
2. Journal one sentence: “What I learned about God’s greatness” and one sentence: “How I felt God comforts or disciplines me.”
Prayer Practice with the Holy Spirit
Each evening, name one decision or burden and ask the Holy Spirit for counsel (five minutes). Write down any impressions, Bible verses, or peace you receive—this trains you to hear the Spirit’s voice.
Serve Like a Bridegroom and Mother
Perform two acts of affectionate service this week (bring a meal, send an encouraging note, pray with someone). These reflect God’s rejoicing and comforting nature in practical love.
Expect God in Trials
If difficulty arises this week, practice the eagle response: look up to God first, ask Him to “stir the nest” to produce growth, and recall a previous deliverance as evidence of His care.
Church Engagement
Attend a midweek Bible study or prayer meeting. If you are not connected to a small group, ask the pastor or a mature believer to recommend one. Growth rarely happens in isolation.
Invite Someone to Know God
Share the invitation. Pray for one unsaved friend or family member and, if possible, give them a simple gospel presentation based on God’s greatness and His love (John 3:16; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9–10).

Use these steps faithfully. Keep a short weekly log of what you experienced—Scripture impressions, answers to prayer, and ways the Holy Spirit guided you. Over time these small discipleship habits build a life that truly “beholds” God: intimately aware, practically dependent, and increasingly like Christ.

If you would like a downloadable one-page “Behold Your God” checklist for the week (suitable for printing or phone wallpaper), tell me and I will prepare it for your congregation.