God, who are you?

In such a time as this, one might stop to more deeply consider, “God, who are you?...What can I know to be a hundred percent true of you, despite the many uncertainties of life that I face?

From afar, it’s easy to say that we know God; but do we really know who he is?

Think of it like this: There are people we know of and there are people that we actually know. In other words, there are people that we brush by in everyday life (well, not so much during a global pandemic, but...). We usually hold perceptions of these people, based on what we have heard or seen of them from a distance. Then, there are others that we actually take time to personally connect with. It is here that we genuinely discover people’s true characteristics. It is here that we dive into the depths of the waters and discover what we could not possibly see from the surface.

We should view God just the same. We cannot actually know God personally unless we dive into the depths of discovering all He is and take the time to seek Him out. What are your perceptions of God...do you really know who He is?

In this season of unknown overload, I’ve spent some extra time seeking out God’s steadfast characteristics. Who is this God that we are called to put all of our trust in? What is He like? Who are we to Him?

The Eternal One:

“People are like the grass. Their beauty fades as quickly as the flowers in a field. The grass withers and the flowers fade beneath the breath of the Lord. And so it is with people. The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” - Isaiah 40:6-8

Life can sometimes feel like an endless loop, until we are hit by an uncomfortable reality in the face of tragedy. In the midst of Covid-19, the fear of our temporal state starts slowly seep into the forefront of our minds. I believe this is a beautiful invitation to contrast our human condition to a God who is unending.

Think of how quickly the grass and flowers wither away as the seasons start to change. God addresses us as such; The grass and flowers of a field. This language is not meant to be morbid, but to display the drastic distinction between us humans and an everlasting God. In the blink of God’s eyes, our lives are here today and gone tomorrow. But God himself has always BEEN, and always WILL BE. Our God is Immortal. Our God is The Eternal King who reigns forever (1 Timothy 1:17). Therefore, nothing we experience is new to God. Nothing we experience is of surprise to Him. Our condition is not outside the grip and power of the everlasting God.

A Father Who Knows Best:

Have you ever felt frustrated with one of your parents? Frustrated with their discipline because it seems like they just don’t understand? Did you ever think that maybe if they knew you just a little more, or knew just a little more of what was going on in your life, that their opinions and discipline of you may look a lot different? Did you ever feel that your ideas and plans for your life were actually better than whatever they might be telling you?...I know I have.

Although our parents are not perfect, just like we aren’t, there is ONE who is. A huge characteristic about God is that when we decide to follow him, He becomes our father...a perfect and good Father who cares for his children deeply. Consider the passages below:

“I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.”

(2 Corinthians 6:18 NLT)

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1 NIV)

In our relationships with our earthly parents, there may be brokenness, hurt, pain, lack of trust, lack of understanding, etc. This can sometimes make us wary of their guidance. But with God as a perfect, heavenly Father, we can always trust Him completely.

God the Father knows His children perfectly and more deeply than anyone else. In fact, God knows us even better than we could ever know ourselves. Did you ever feel misunderstood? How amazing is this truth then! God knows us thoroughly. He understands us. He knows us! He calls us each by our names. Again, consider the passages below.

“You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.

Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!” (Psalm 139:16-17 NLT)

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says,

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up;the flames will not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:1-2 NLT)

All aspects of our lives may seem to be in shambles, but the truth of God being our Father does not change. The truth of God being our perfect and heavenly source of help, comfort, protection, and guidance, DOES NOT CHANGE. He is a Father that has proved himself trustworthy from the beginning of all time.

One with No Equal:

“You have no rival, you have no equal, now and forever God you reign.” - What A Beautiful Name (Hillsong Worship)

These are the lyrics that have been resonating through my ears, as I think about the truth that NO ONE compares to the greatness of God. The Living God. The Creator of the Heavens and the Earth. The one who has the power to bring life, but also the power to bring death. He is the King of ALL Kings who sits enthroned in his Heavenly Kingdom for all eternity. Doesn’t the thought of God’s incomprehensible, incomparable greatness and wonder, just drive you to your knees? Does it leave you in complete awe of his mysterious wonder? When you really take the time to think about it, it really does!

Take a look at Isaiah 40 verses 25-31 below and read about God’s wondrous character. You’re bound to understand what I’m trying to say!!!

“To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One. Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars. He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.”

“O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.”

“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.They will run and not grow weary.They will walk and not faint.”

Crazy right!? God created the Heavens and the Earth and is in the midst of all the tiny details of every little thing. He calls each and every star BY NAME and makes sure they are perfectly in place. If God accounts for each and every star, how much more does he account for each and everyone of us and make sure we are exactly where we need to be?

God knows our many troubles and knows our many fears. He also knows what is best for us because his wisdom goes beyond the depths of what we could ever even begin to understand. He is our Creator.

God is bigger and more powerful than any problem in this world or in our lives. God has never stopped working His mighty hands, yet has never grown weary and never will. God is TRUSTWORTHY and promises to be our strength when we throw all of our hope in His hands alone.

Even when confusion casts over the world in its entirety, these truths still remain: God is eternal, God is the Father that knows best, God is one with NO equal. This has never changed and it never will, therefore, He can be trusted, even when all else gives way. When we take the time to seek all God is, He promises to personally show His many wonders, found beneath the surface.