Nehemiah said, “O Lord God of Heaven, the great and awesome God Who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those Who love Him and keep His commandments …” (Nehemiah 1:5)
What God is really like!
See Psalm 8:1-9; 19:1-6, 14; 33:8b; 119:161b; 139:1-24; 145:1-21 and Jeremiah 9:23-24. These verses describe for us something about what God is like.
1. Awesome Creator
God is the awesome Creator of the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1), the Universe (both on the macro and the micro scale – from galaxies to sub-atomic particles), angels and humans, things seen and things unseen (Heb. 11:3).
He is the Creator of Heaven, the heavens and heavenly places. He is the Creator of all things!
2. Awesome Nature
The nature of God:
1. God is a Spirit – the one and only Holy Spirit (John 4:23-24). Note: God made Man in His own image, not the reverse! “God breathed into man the breath (spirit) of life and he became a living being” (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:7; 1 Cor. 15:44-46). The Spirit or breath of God set Man apart from the rest of God’s creation.
God made inanimate things (things without life). He made plants which have a living “body” or substance, but do not have a soul. He made animals which have a “soul” (mind, will, emotions) but only Mankind has a body, soul and eternal spirit – the breath (spirit) of life.
2. God revealed Himself as the Man, Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One, our Saviour). “The Word became flesh and lived amongst us” (John 1:1-4, 14-18). Through Jesus we can get to know God in a much more tangible way; a way which is easier for us to comprehend – a Man with a body, soul and Spirit like we have, and yet perfect in every way.
3. God revealed Himself as the Father, and Jesus His only begotten Son (John 3:16). Again, it is easier to relate to God as a Father, than as an unseen Holy Spirit.
Seven attributes of the nature of God
He has …
• All power (He is omnipotent; almighty) and all authority.
• All knowledge (He is omniscient). “Nothing is hidden from His eyes”
• All present (He is omnipresent). Because He is a Spirit He is not bound by time or space (Psalm 139). This can be frightening if we are not in a right relationship with Him, but so wonderful if we are!
• All wisdom (He is “the only wise God”). Wisdom is the right (wise) application of knowledge (e.g., many people know what is right or best, but still don’t do it!)
He is …
• Eternal (God’s name, YHVH, means “I AM”); everlasting. He always was; He is and He always will be. Notice that Jesus also called Himself by this divine Name: “I am” (not “I am He” as the Greek is sometimes mistranslated – see John 8:24, 28, 58; 18:4-8)
• Perfect in every way: absolutely holy, pure, righteous and just. He does no wrong.
• Glorious – full of glory and majesty. He dwells in Heaven, seated on His Throne in Glory and Majesty. See Revelation chapters 4, 5, 21 and 22.
Of Jesus, the Bible says, “His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) and in Isaiah 11:2 it says, “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him; the Spirit of wisdom and understanding; the Spirit of counsel and might; the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord”.
3. Awesome Person
God is a Person – He has personality and character. He is not mystical or ethereal. He is not unknown or unknowable. His nature and will can be known.
He is a personal God – He speaks to people; He shares with people; He reveals Himself to people. He guides us; He comforts us and He enables us to do things which would otherwise be impossible for us.
He can be known … and He can be our personal Friend!
4. Awesome Character
God is …
• Love (This does not mean that love is God!)
• Our Saviour
• Our Provider
• Our Protector, Shield and Deliverer
• Our Comforter, Counsellor, Helper and Guide
• Our loving Father and our Bridegroom
• Our faithful Friend
• King of kings and Lord of lords
• Just and merciful
• Worthy of praise, worship and thanks; He is worthy of our service, our love and our lives!
5. Awesome Revelation
God reveals Himself and His ways to us, through His Word and through His Son.
God guides us by His Spirit – speaking into our hearts and minds; often using the Scriptures.
We can know Him personally, “closer than a brother” because He is always with us, helping us, inspiring us, loving us, and communicating with us.
He gives meaning, purpose and hope to our lives!
Awesome God!
“God, Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, will He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)
• He loves us with a perfect love, therefore He wants the very best possible for us.
• He has all wisdom, so He knows what is best for us.
• And He has all power and authority, so He is able to bring that about!
Hallelujah! That’s why we can trust Him and put our faith in Him.
He is truly AN AWESOME GOD!
QUESTIONS
1. Which aspects of God’s nature do you find most inspiring? Why?
2. Why is it very comforting to know that God has all power, all knowledge and all wisdom?
3. God is present everywhere. Why is this fact sometimes disturbing and at other times very encouraging?
4. What is the significance of Jesus saying “Before Abraham was, I AM” and why did the Jews want to stone Him? (John 8:58-59)
5. If God is a Person and can be known, how can we get to know Him?
6. What is eternal life, according to Jesus? (John 17:3)