SpiriseBible
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9 (KJV)
The most important question in human existence is not "Who am I?" but "Who is God?" Everything else—our purpose, identity, morality, and destiny—flows from our understanding of God's nature. To know God truly is to be transformed completely, for no one encounters His character and remains unchanged.
The God Who Reveals Himself
We cannot know God through human reasoning alone. He must reveal Himself, and graciously, He has:
- Through Creation: "The heavens declare the glory of God" (Psalm 19:1)
- Through Conscience: Moral law written on hearts (Romans 2:15)
- Through Scripture: God's written self-revelation
- Through Christ: "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:9)
- Through Experience: Personal relationship with the living God
God's Eternal Nature
Understanding God begins with His eternal existence:
Self-Existent: "I AM THAT I AM" (Exodus 3:14) - God depends on nothing else for His existence
Eternal: "From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God" (Psalm 90:2) - No beginning, no end
Unchanging: "I am the Lord, I change not" (Malachi 3:6) - Perfectly consistent forever
Infinite: Beyond all limitations of time, space, and knowledge
Spirit: "God is a Spirit" (John 4:24) - Not bound by physical form
God's Magnificent Attributes
God's attributes are not separate qualities He possesses—they are expressions of who He is:
- Omnipresent: Everywhere present at once (Psalm 139:7-10)
- Omniscient: All-knowing, perfect knowledge (Psalm 139:1-6)
- Omnipotent: All-powerful, unlimited ability (Genesis 18:14)
- Holy: Absolutely pure, set apart (Isaiah 6:3)
- Righteous: Perfectly just in all actions (Psalm 145:17)
- Loving: "God is love" - His very essence (1 John 4:8)
- Merciful: Compassionate toward sinners (Exodus 34:6)
- Faithful: Absolutely trustworthy (Lamentations 3:23)
The Trinity: One God, Three Persons
The mystery of the Trinity reveals God's relational nature:
The Father: Source, planner, sender
The Son: Revealer, redeemer, sacrifice
The Spirit: Sustainer, teacher, comforter
Three distinct persons, one divine essence, perfect unity. This mystery teaches us that God is inherently relational—love existed within God before creation.
Practical Implications of God's Nature
Understanding God's attributes transforms how we live:
Because God is omnipresent: We're never alone
Because God is omniscient: We can trust His guidance
Because God is omnipotent: Nothing is too difficult for Him
Because God is holy: Sin must be taken seriously
Because God is loving: We can approach Him with confidence
Because God is faithful: His promises are certain
How God's Character Shapes Our Character
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48).
We're called to reflect God's character:
- His Love: "Love one another as I have loved you"
- His Holiness: "Be ye holy; for I am holy"
- His Mercy: "Be ye therefore merciful"
- His Faithfulness: Keep your word as He keeps His
- His Justice: Stand for what is right
The Incomprehensible God
While God reveals Himself, He remains beyond full human comprehension:
"Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?" (Job 11:7).
This mystery should humble us:
• We know truly but not exhaustively
• Understanding grows throughout eternity
• Worship includes wonder at what we cannot grasp
• Faith trusts beyond complete understanding
• God's greatness exceeds our capacity
Growing in Knowledge of God
Knowing God is a lifelong journey:
- Study Scripture: God's primary self-revelation
- Observe Creation: See His fingerprints everywhere
- Experience Relationship: Personal communion deepens knowledge
- Learn from Others: How God has revealed Himself to them
- Practice Worship: Adoration expands our vision of God
When God Seems Distant
Sometimes God's nature seems inconsistent with our experience:
- Where is His love when we suffer?
- Where is His power when evil seems to win?
- Where is His presence when we feel alone?
- Where is His justice when wickedness prospers?
- Where is His peace when anxiety overwhelms?
These moments call for faith, not sight. God's nature doesn't change based on our circumstances or understanding.
The God of Relationship
God is not a distant deity but a relational Father:
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God" (1 John 3:1).
He invites intimacy while maintaining His transcendence. He is both "high and lofty" (Isaiah 57:15) and near to the broken-hearted.
Worship: The Natural Response
Proper understanding of God leads to worship:
Awe: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty"
Gratitude: "Every good gift...cometh from above"
Trust: "In thee do I put my trust"
Obedience: "Thy will be done"
Love: "We love him, because he first loved us"
The Progressive Revelation
God reveals Himself progressively throughout Scripture:
- Genesis: Creator and ruler
- Exodus: Deliverer and covenant-keeper
- Psalms: Shepherd and sustainer
- Prophets: Judge and redeemer
- Gospels: Emmanuel—God with us
- Epistles: Father of believers
- Revelation: Coming King and final Judge
Learning God's Names
Each name of God reveals aspects of His character:
Elohim: The powerful Creator
Yahweh: The personal, covenant God
Adonai: The sovereign Lord
El Shaddai: The all-sufficient one
Jehovah-Jireh: The provider
Jehovah-Shalom: The God of peace
The Goal of Knowing God
The purpose isn't academic knowledge but transformational relationship:
"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3).
To know God is to have eternal life—not just duration but quality of existence.
Reflection Questions
- Which attribute of God do you most need to understand better right now?
- How has your understanding of God's nature changed over the years?
- What aspect of God's character brings you the most comfort in current challenges?
Prayer
Almighty God, I bow before Your majesty and marvel at Your character. You are perfectly holy yet incredibly loving, infinitely powerful yet intimately personal. Help me know You more deeply each day. Open my eyes to see Your nature revealed in Scripture, creation, and life experiences. Transform my heart as I understand Your heart. Make knowing You the passion of my life and the source of my security. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Today's Challenge
Choose one attribute of God to focus on today—perhaps love, faithfulness, or power. Look for evidence of this attribute in your life circumstances, nature around you, and Scripture reading. Thank God specifically for this aspect of His character three times throughout the day. End your day by writing one sentence about how understanding this attribute better could change how you live tomorrow.
