Hey All
As we read last week in 1 John 1:7 God wants to “Fellowship” with us through His Son Jesus. We see this same message in Colossians 1: 21-22 where Paul says that we were formerly alienated from God because of our evil deeds yet now we are presented blameless and beyond reproach before God through the Christ’s death and sacrifice for us on the cross.
Yet we still ask …….How do I know God wants a relationship or wants me to pray and have Fellowship with Him?
Well let’s start with 1 Peter 5:7 where it says to cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Let’s think about that verse for a minute. God the creator of the universe cares about me. Me the guy who doesn’t always pray every day. Me the guy who forgets to thank Him when something goes really right and it could only be God watching over me. That’s the God who cares and wants to have a relationship with me. We also see similar responses in Jeremiah 33:3 where it says call upon me and I will answer you and even stronger words in Psalm 50:15 where it says to call upon Him in the day of trouble and he will rescue you.
If we are to truly trust in God then we must know Him and His nature so that when we lift up our prayers we have confidence in Him. So lets look a little deeper at the nature of God and what scripture has to say about Him. I must confess I had to dig deep into my Catechism and several resources to pull this together but it was a good refresher course.
Who is God and what does the Bible say about his nature?
God is Eternal…..
Psalm 90: 1-2 from everlasting to everlasting
Revelation 22: 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
God is Unchangeale
Hebrews 13:8 God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow
Malachi 3:6 For I the Lord do not change.
God is Omnipotent….All Powerful
Luke 1: 37 nothing is impossible with God
Matthew 19:26 with God all things are possible
Daniel 3:17-18 our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of the blazing flame,
God is Omniscient…..All Knowing
Psalm 147: 5 His understanding is infinite
Psalm 139: 2-4 Behold the Lord you know it all
Matthew 6:8 the Father knows what you need before you even ask
Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither your ways my ways
God is Omnipresent…He is everywhere for everyone. (24 Hrs a day x 365 days a year)
Joshua 1:9 Lord God is with you everywhere you go!
Jeremiah 23:24 Do I not fill the heavens and the earth
God is Holy
Leviticus 19:2 for I the Lord your God am Holy
Isaiah 6:3 Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts
God is Just
Deuteronomy 32: 4 for all His ways are just
God is Faithful……keeping promises
2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful
Joshua 21: 45 Not one of the promises which the Lord has made to the house of Israel failed. All came to pass
God is Benevolent….He desires the best for us
Psalm 145:9 The Lord is good to all …..
God is Merciful
Psalm 145:9…..and His mercies are over all His works.
God is Gracious
Ephesians 2: 8 For by Grace you have been saved…
Exodus 34: 6-7 the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger
Psalm 103: 8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness
So to Wrap it Up!
God’s nature is personal and He loves us! His Eternal, Power, Wisdom, Grace and Faithfullness to you and me have been shown throughout the bible and in my personal life. As we go through this week let’s reflect on the nature of God by studying the verses above. If you find others send a response and let’s add to the list. One final verse to share is Deuteronomy 31:8 says that Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
I pray that as we look at God’s nature this week you will feel his presence around you and know that he is faithful to all His promises.
image sourced from google images
This makes me think of the closing words of Matthew. Right after Jesus gives the great commission, He says “and surely I am with you always, to the end of the age.” I need this reminder!
The one thing that stands out to me, that I would add, is that God is loving! Sometimes I wonder if I really get this. Do I really understand and believe that I am loved by God? When we do “get” that, and truly believe it, I think it changes everything! I came to understand that my freshman year of college, and it opened my eyes up to the nature of God! He is loving, and He is love!