The Characters of God

God is independent, unchangeable, eternal and omnipresent. He exists as a spiritual being, having no form or dimensions, and is omniscient (all-knowing), wise, truthful, faithful, good, loving, merciful, graceful, patient, holy, at peace, righteous and just, jealous for His own honour, wrathful towards sin, perfect in every way, beautiful beyond comprehension, and is glorified through the revelation of Himself.

Introduction (top)

Since I am listing aspects of the character of God, I feel that it is firstly important to underline that they are listed in no particular order. Each aspect of the character of God is equal in its characterisation of Him. For example, John can say in 1 John 1:5 that "God is light" and then go on to say that "God is love" in 1 John 4:8 & 16.

Also, as is rather common in this subject, the divine attributes have been divided (roughly) into "incommunicable" and "communicable" attributes. Here, "incommunicable" simply refers to those attributes which He has not passed on (or "communicated") to us either in ourselves or in creation. The "communicable" attributes, on the other hand, refer to those divine attributes of which we should have some form of personal experience and understanding.

Finally, the verses listed below are not the only evidence for the attribute being presented, these are just a selection.

The Biblical Teaching

Incommunicable Attributes

These are those aspects of God which we don't share with Him, and are likely to have trouble comprehending. However, as you read these, try thinking about what each attribute means to you, as someone in a relationship with God. For example, the first, Independance, tells me that even though He doesn't need me, He chooses me to live in a relationship with Him. That's pretty amazing!

Independent/Transcendant

God does not need any of His creation for any reason, but we (and other creation) can please and glorify Him.

• "God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: `I AM has sent me to you.'"" (Ex. 3:14)
• "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else." (Acts 17:24-25)
• "As a young man marries a maiden, so will your sons marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you." (Is. 62:5)

Unchangeable

God does not change in any way, and although he always acts in proper response to every aspect of His nature.

For example, Though He may have seemed more loving in sending Christ and more wrath-filled in preparing for Judgement Day, in every way He acts, He is always true to every aspect of His character simultaneously. His love is shown more prominently in sending Christ, to be sure, but He was not acting counter to His very real hatred of sin in sending Christ. In fact His hatred of sin (wrath) together with His complete justice and love prompted Him to send Christ.

Similarly, the Day of Judgement seems to show the wrath-filled aspect of God most prominently, but it too is a balance of all His attributes - his justice and wrath (hatred of sin) demands that a Day of Judgement occur, His love and mercy demand that He give ample opportunity for people to repent, hence Judgement Day is set sometime in the future.

• "In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end." (Psalm 102:25-27)
• "I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed." Malachi 3:6

Eternal

There was no time when God was not. He has no beginning or end, and does not live "in" time as we do: He sees all time equally yet discerns the place of events in time, and acts at specific points in time.

• "Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." (Ps. 90:2)
• "'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.'" (Rev. 1:8)
• "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." (1 Pet. 3:8)

Omnipresent (is everywhere)

God does not have size or shape that can be measured. He exists everywhere but can and does act in different ways in different places.

• "To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it." (Deuteronomy 10:14)
• "'Am I only a God nearby,' declares the LORD, 'and not a God far away? Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?' declares the LORD. 'Do not I fill heaven and earth?' declares the LORD." (Jeremiah 23:23-24)

Communicable Attributes

Spiritual

God is a being that is not made of matter, has no parts or dimensions and cannot be perceived by any of our bodily senses.

• "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24)
• "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Tim. 1:17)
• "No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known." (John 1:18)

Omniscient (all-knowing)

God is perfect in knowledge: He knows all things simply and perfectly.

• "For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." (1 John 3:20)
• "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." (Psalm 139:16)

Wise

In all circumstances and situations, God knows best.

• "To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his." (Job 12:13)
• "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!" (Rom. 11:33)

Truthful & Faithful

Not only is God the true God, but His words and knowledge are true, and are in fact the standard by which truth is judged.

• "...a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time..." (Titus 1:2)
• "God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged." (Heb. 6:18)

Good

Again, God not only is good, but is the standard for goodness.

• "'Why do you call me good?' Jesus answered. 'No one is good - except God alone.'"(Luke 18:19)
• "For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." (Ps. 100:5)

Loving

God's love means that He continually gives of Himself to others

• "...God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him." (1 John 4:16)
• "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:8)

Merciful

God is good towards those in misery and distress

• "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness..." (Ex. 34:6)
• "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort..." (2 Cor. 1:3)

Graceful

God is good towards those who don't deserve good.

• "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Rom. 3:23-24)
• "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." (1 Pet. 5:10)

Patient

God is 'slow to anger'

• "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love." (Ps. 103:8)
• "But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life." (1 Tim. 1:16)

Holy

God is separate from sin.

• "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." (Is. 6:3)
• "Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy." (Ps. 99:9)
• "Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." (Lev. 19:2)

Wrathful

God hates sin and indeed cannot not hate sin, for He is holy.

• "'I have seen these people,' the LORD said to Moses, 'and they are a stiff-necked people. Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.'" (Ex. 32:9-10)
• "Remember this and never forget how you provoked the LORD your God to anger in the desert. From the day you left Egypt until you arrived here, you have been rebellious against the LORD. At Horeb you aroused the LORD's wrath so that he was angry enough to destroy you." (Deut. 9:7-8)
• "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." (John 3:36)

Peaceful

God is separate from all confusion and disorder.

• "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace." (1 Cor. 14:33)
• "The God of peace be with you all. Amen." (Rom. 15:33)

Righteous and Just

God is always totally fair and everything that He does is just and right.

• "He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he." (Deut. 32:4)
• "I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob's descendants, `Seek me in vain.' I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right." (Is. 45:19)

Jealous

God seeks continually to protect His own honour.

• "You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments." (Ex. 20:5-6)
• "Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." (Ex. 34:14)

Perfect

God possesses all good qualities and does not lack any, nor does He have any qualities that are not good.

• "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matt. 5:48)
• "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him." (Ps. 18:30)

Beautiful

God in His being is the sum of all desirable qualities.

• "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." (Ps. 27:4)

Glory-filled

"God's glory is the created brightness that surrounds God's revelation of Himself" (definition from Grudem, Sys. Theol., p. 220).

• "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:23)
• "Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty - he is the King of glory." (Ps. 24:10)

Who is God? What is He Like?

"Many are the ways in which God is seeking to make Himself known to us and bring us into communion with Him. Nature speaks to our senses without ceasing. The open heart will be impressed with the love and glory of God as revealed through the works of His hands. The listening ear can hear and understand the communications of God through the things of nature. The green fields, the lofty trees, the buds and flowers, the passing cloud, the falling rain, the babbling brook, the glories of the heavens, speak to our hearts, and invite us to become acquainted with Him who made them all."[View all the Creation Nugget presentations below.] Steps to Christ, page 85 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus... Philippians 2:5 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48 Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37 "God is the source of life and light and joy to the universe. Like rays of light from the sun, like the streams of water bursting from a living spring, blessings flow out from Him to all His creatures. And wherever the life of God is in the hearts of men, it will flow out to others in love and blessing. "Our Savior's joy was in the uplifting and redemption of fallen men. For this He counted not His life dear unto Himself, but endured the cross, despising the shame. So angels are ever engaged in working for the happiness of others. This is their joy. That which selfish hearts would regard as humiliating service, ministering to those who are wretched and in every way inferior in character and rank, is the work of sinless angels. The spirit of Christ's self-sacrificing love is the spirit that pervades heaven and is the very essence of its bliss. This is the spirit that Christ's followers will possess, the work that they will do." Steps to Christ, page 77 "This is the character of God. It is from the Father's heart that the streams of divine compassion, manifest in Christ, flow out to the children of men. Jesus, the tender, pitying Savior, was God 'manifest in the flesh.'" Steps to Christ, page 6

The entire Bible is a revelation of God, an effort on His part to let us know who He is, what His character is like and what our relationship to Him should be and we know that the Bible can be trusted because we have proved it to be true. So what does the Bible tell us about God?

1. God is a living Being. (See Is there a REAL God?, then use your "Back" button to return here.)
He is not merely an idea, a myth, a figment of the imagination. He is a real Being: "He is the living God, and steadfast for ever" Daniel 6:26
He has a dwelling place: "Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place" 1 Kings 8:39
He can see and hear: "The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers" 1 Peter 3:12
He thinks and remembers: "For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust" Psalm 103:14
He is generous: "No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly" Psalm 84:11
He is eager to be helpful: "I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go" Isaiah 48:17
He is approachable: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" Hebrews 4:16

2. God is eternal.
He endures. He is not here today and gone tomorrow. He is"the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" Hebrews13:8
God has always been. There never was a time when He did not exist: "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God" Psalm 90:2
God will always exist. There never will be a time when He will cease to exist: "For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say I live for ever" Deuteronomy 32:40
His kingdom will never end: "Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations" Psalm 145:13
God is immortal: "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever" 1 Timothy 1:17

3. God is omnipotent.
He is all powerful: "Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all" 1 Chronicles 29:12 "The Lord God omnipotent reigneth" Revelation 19:6
There is nothing that God cannot do. He can even read our thoughts: "I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee" Job 42:2 "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible" Matthew 19:26
God does what He pleases: "But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased" Psalm 115:3

4. God is omniscient.
He knows everything. You cannot hide anything from God: "For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings: Job 34:21
He understands everything: "His understanding is infinite" Psalm 147:5
He hears everything, both word and thought: "For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether" Psalm 139:4
He sees everything: "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me" Psalm 139:7-10
Darkness cannot hide anything from God: "Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee" Psalm 139:12 "He revealeth the deep and secret things; he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him" Daniel 2:22
All knowledge and wisdom come from Him: "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out" Romans 11:33
He knows what will happen in the future: "Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them" Isaiah 42:9 "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done" Isaiah 46:10

5. God is infinite.
He is without limitations of any kind. Not only in power, wisdom, and knowledge, but also in righteousness: "My righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation" Isaiah 51:8
God is holy in every thought, word, and action: "The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works" Psalm 145:17
His kindness and His mercy are without limit: "For the mountains shall depart, and hills be moved; but my kindness shall not depart from thee" Isaiah 54:10 "The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him" Psalm 103:17
God's tenderness can be viewed to be like that of the best earthly parent: "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him" Psalm 103:13 "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you" Isaiah 66:13

6. God is meek.
God is humble; He's not proud. The life of Jesus tells us what God is like and Jesus said of Himself, "I am meek and lowly in heart" Matthew 11:29 This tells us that God the Father is also meek, humble and not proud of what He can do.
In the story of Moses and the burning bush (Exodus 3) God appears to Moses in a lowly, simple bush. There is nothing about a bush that is very attractive, yet God used a lowly bush to shroud His glory and majesty for Moses when He could have used something much more glamorous.

7. God is loving.
"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." 1 John 4:5
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 1 John 4:10

This list goes on and on. Here is how God is described just in the book of Proverbs:

God is aware of all that happens - 15:3
God knows all people - 15:11; 16:2; 21:2
God is the maker of all things - 16:4
God controls all things - 16:33; 21:30
God is a strong tower - 18:10
God rescues good people from danger - 11:8, 21
God rewards the godly - 11:31
God blesses the godly and condemns the wicked - 12:2
God delights in our prayers - 15:8, 29
God loves those who obey Him - 11:27; 15:9-10; 16:20; 22:12
God cares for the poor, sick, and widows 15:25; 22:22-23
God purifies hearts - 17:3
God hates evil - 17:5; 21:27; 28:9

God Himself tells us what His characterconsists of. "And the LORD passed by before him [Moses], and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin..." Exodus 34:6, 7 The Disciple John wrote, "God is light" & "God is love". 1 John 1:5 & 4:8

The Apostle Paul wrote about love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8:

Love suffereth long, and is kind; [God's character is patient and kind.]
Love envieth not; [God's character is loving, He does not envy anyone.]
Love vaunteth not itself, [God does not force Himself on us. His character is meek.]
Is not puffed up, [God is not proud; God's character is meek.]
Doth not behave itself unseemly, [God's character is good and temperate in all things.]
Seeketh not its own, [God's character is gentle and always wants the best for others.]
Is not provoked, [God doesn't get angry easily. His character is patient.]
Taketh not account of evil; [goodness, peace]
Rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, [God's character is only goodness and hates evil, but He still loves the evil doer.]
But rejoiceth with the truth; [God loves truth.]
Beareth all things, believeth all things, [God can handle it and He believes in you.]
Hopeth all things, endureth all things. [God is full of hope, peace, faith and He's longsuffering, and patient.]
Love never faileth. [Even God's unnatural act ("his strange work... his strange act." Isa. 28:21) of the destruction of the wicked (in Hell) is actually unfailing love, both for them and for the righteous. The wicked knew the penalty of sin, but have chosen to live wickedly for a season and then to die. So, God is giving them what they chose. The righteous are sick of sin, sick of what it does to people and sick of what it has done to God. They want it to be totally erased from the universe.]

"The Bible enjoins courtesy, and it presents many illustrations of the unselfish spirit, the gentle grace, the winsome temper, that characterize true politeness. These are butreflections of the character of Christ. All the real tenderness and courtesy in the world, even among those who do not acknowledge His name, is from Him. And He desires these characteristics to be perfectly reflected in His children. It is His purpose that in us men shall behold His beauty." My Life Today, page 191

The Devil has been spreading lies about God, about what kind of Being He is, so Jesus came to show us what God is really like. Jesus was God made visible. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John1:1, 14 In fact, when asked what the Father was like, "Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou [then], Show us the Father?" John 14:9 The character of the Father and the character of the Son (Jesus) are the same; when you study one you are learning about the other.

God could be a tyrant, intolerant and totally indifferent to the needs of creatures like us, but His infinite power, wisdom, and knowledge are so blended with limitless goodness, mercy, and truth that He is the only Being worthy of universal worship. "Thou, even thou, art Lord alone" Nehemiah 9:6

God wants only the best for us:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) "God desires us to be happy, and He gave us the precepts of the law that in obeying them we might have joy." The Desire of Ages, page 308

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalms 51:10 King David is asking God to do in him what we should also ask for, that God will give us thecharacter and attitude of Jesus (a clean heart and a right spirit).

That God wants us to hate sin as much as He does is shown in Philippians 2:5, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus...". If we have the same attitude that was in Jesus then we will have these same character traits. Jesus said, "As I have loved you, [so should you] also love one another."

"When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own." Christ's Object Lessons, page 69

"But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matt. 6:15. Nothing can justify an unforgiving spirit. He who is unmerciful toward others shows that he himself is not a partaker of God's pardoning grace. Christ's Object Lessons, page 251 It is not possible to believe that God is better than He really is; He will always be MUCH BETTER.

One more thing about God. As stated above, there is one thing that God hates. God hates sin; He hates what it does to His creation. He hates sin so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from its results, which is death. Do you know that God hates sin because he loves the sinner ?!! (sin is a poison killing the sinner)

Keep in mind that to hate sin is much different than to hate the sinner. We are all sinners, yet God loves us very much. He loves us enough that He is willing to allow us to chose whether we want to live or die. In other words, He allows us to chose whether we will trust Him to do what is best for us, or not to trust Him at all. (Remember, it is possible to say that we trust God when we really don't.)

GOD'S KEY ATTRIBUTES

Personal Spirit.

so you can have intimate fellowship with Him.

"Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence Him"
(Psalm 25:14, TLB).

Our awesome God is gloriously incomprehensible. The following are four of the many ways He is beyond our understanding.

God is infinite. Unlike us, God has no limits or boundaries. He is not confined to the dimension of space. His love, holiness, mercy, and all His other qualities are unlimited in their scope and expression.

God is self-existent. Unlike everything else in the entire universe, He had no beginning. Because He is the Creator, He is the only One who exists outside of the created order.

God is eternal. He is not bound by the dimension of time. He created time as a temporary context for His creation. With God, everything that has ever happened or will ever happen has already occurred within His awareness. God encompasses all of eternity!

God is self-sufficient. All creation relies on God for existence, but He has no need for anything. He does not need our help. He only offers us the privilege of being involved with Him in the fulfillment of His purposes.

God is gloriously incomprehensible, but He is also a personal Spirit. Through His infinite love and goodness, He has provided a way for us to have an authentic, personal relationship with Him.

First, God revealed Himself to us in His Word, the Bible. The Scriptures provide us with a clear description of what God is like and what is important to Him.

Second, God came down from heaven to live on earth. For 33 years human beings could observe the incarnate God through their senses as they walked and talked with His Son, Jesus.

Third, God destroyed the barrier of sin and self-centeredness that separated us from our holy God. His perfect Son, Jesus, died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.

Fourth, God sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in Christians with His presence.

Our Creator God did all this so we could go beyond just knowing about Him. We can actually enter into a warm friendship and intimate family relationship with Him. What a gracious offer and awesome privilege!

"You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13, NIV).

God Is All-Powerful.

so He can help you with anything.

"O Sovereign Lord! You have made the heavens and earth by Your great power. Nothing is too hard for You!" (Jeremiah 32:17).

God merely spoke the universe into being-a universe that astronomers estimate contains more than 100 billion galaxies. But all the power contained in this entire universe is but a small representation of the unlimited power of God. The combined energy of all earth's storms, winds, ocean waves, and other forces of nature do not equal even a fraction of God's almighty power.

God's power is inherent in His nature. All power has always been His and will continue to be His for all eternity. Any power that we have is given to us by God.

Because God is all-powerful, He has the ability and strength to do whatever He pleases. His power is not restrained or inhibited by any of His created beings. People and nations are powerless when confronted by His might.

Our amazing God is capable of doing anything-as long as it does not violate any of His other attributes. No task is too big for Him. He never fails. And He is never tired, frustrated, or discouraged.

Yet our all-powerful Creator cares for us, and He longs to exhibit His power in our lives.

David writes, "When I look at the night sky and see the work of Your fingers-the moon and the stars You have set in place-what are mortals that You should think of us, mere humans that You should care for us?" (Psalm 8:3, 4).

No matter what you might be facing, God can help you. Nothing is too hard for Him. No need is too great for Him to meet. No problem is too complicated for Him to solve. No foe is too strong for Him to conquer. No prayer is too difficult for Him to answer.

The Bible promises, "By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope" (Ephesians 3:20).

If our hearts and motives are pure and we truly seek to do God's will, then there is nothing too difficult for us as we depend on His strength.

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13, NIV).

God Is Present Everywhere.

so He is always with you.

"Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast" (Psalm 139:7–10).

God is always with us. Because He is an infinite Spirit, He is not restricted to being in one location at a time. He fills every inch of space throughout the universe with all His wonderful personal attributes. Although God is distinct from His creation, all His creation exists within Him. In Acts 17:28 we are told, "In Him we live and move and exist."

We live in His glorious presence every moment of every day. When we are alone, God watches what we do. When we do something good that nobody else knows about, God sees it and will reward us accordingly.

He also sees the bad things we do in secret. Hebrews 4:13 states, "Nothing in all creation can hide from Him. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done."

We actually have the presence of almighty God living inside us. The apostle Paul wrote, "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16, NIV).

God wants us to "consciously" live in His presence each day. His ever-presence makes it possible for us to be in constant communication with Him and to depend on Him in every situation. But often we ignore His presence because we are so preoccupied with our lives. Sometimes we even forget He is with us while we are busy serving Him.

Yet God's magnificent presence is all we need for any challenge that may come our way. No person or circumstance can ever remove us from the presence of our loving God. He is always with us, hearing our cries for help. He is always with us, protecting us from danger. He is always with us, watching what we do. He is our ever-present God, Savior, Lord, and Master-our dearest friend.

[Jesus said] "I am with you always" (Matthew 28:20).

God Knows Everything.

so go to Him with all your questions and concerns.

"Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are His riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His methods! For who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who knows enough to be His counselor?" (Romans 11:33, 34).

Our magnificent Creator God knows everything and is the source of all true knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. His knowledge is undefiled by any distortions or wrong perspectives. It is totally true and accurate.

God knows the answers to all of life's questions. Unlike us, God is never surprised or bewildered because He is always completely aware of all events past, present, and future.

He also knows everything about you-your desires, motives, and thoughts. God knows more about you than you will ever know about yourself.

King David writes, "O Lord, You have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away. You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment You know where I am. You know what I am going to say even before I say it … Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know" (Psalm 139:1–6).

When you face challenges or difficulties, you can be encouraged that God understands what you are going through. He knows about your pressures and problems, and He also knows the purpose for your trials. God promises, " ‘I know the plans I have for you … They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope' " (Jeremiah 29:11).

Whatever your circumstances, whatever your need, God has the answer. He knows everything about your situation and wants to help you.

"If you need wisdom-if you want to know what God wants you to do-ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind" (James 1:5, 6).

God Is Sovereign.

so joyfully submit to His will.

"Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; You are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from You; You are the ruler of all things. In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all" (1 Chronicles 29:11, 12, NIV).

God is the sovereign ruler of the universe. There is no higher authority. Our great God possesses every ability He needs to be in absolute control of everything. He is all-powerful, so no one can force Him to do anything against His will. He is present everywhere, so no one can hide from Him or escape His scrutiny. He is all-knowing, so there is nothing about which He is unaware.

Nothing occurs without His divine permission. God commands the forces of nature and uses them to achieve His divine purposes. He established the scientific laws that regulate the universe, and only He can overrule their effect. Even Satan and his legions of evil spirits can operate only within limits prescribed by God.

God also sovereignly directs people, circumstances, and events. Daniel explains, "[God] determines the course of world events; He removes kings and sets others on the throne" (Daniel 2:21). Without God's sustaining providence, none of us could live another day. "The life of every living thing is in His hand, and the breath of all humanity" (Job 12:10).

Do you feel overwhelmed by circumstances? Be encouraged: Your loving God is still in control, and He is sovereignly directing your life. Proverbs 19:21 states, "You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail."

In fact, difficulties and suffering are tools in God's sovereign hands with which He shapes you into the image of Jesus Christ. The Bible promises, "God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them" (Romans 8:28).

Our sovereign God is actively directing His creation on a course that has been charted before the beginning of time. But within the context of His master plan, He gives all of us the freedom to choose how we will participate. Will you choose to cooperate with Him?

"I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23, NIV).

God Is Holy.

so devote yourself to Him in purity, worship, and service.

"Who else among the gods is like You, O Lord? Who is glorious in holiness like You-so awesome in splendor, performing such wonders?" (Exodus 15:11).

Our God is holy. His character is perfect in every way. His moral excellence is the absolute standard of integrity and ethical purity. God's supreme holiness infinitely sets Him apart from His creation.

As we meditate on God's supreme holiness, we cannot help being overcome with a sense of awe. The psalmist tells us, "Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth" (Psalm 96:9, NIV).

Solomon writes, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10, NIV). To fear God does not mean to be afraid of Him, but to have a reverential respect for His magnificent greatness and unlimited authority. The Bible instructs us, "Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling" (Psalm 2:11).

You have been set apart by God to be holy. Rather than reflecting the opinions and attitudes of this sinful world, you are to reflect the beauty of His holiness. But you can be holy only by placing your faith in Jesus Christ. As the holiness of God works into the fabric of your being, you will become sensitive to sin and learn to abhor it as God does.

God's holiness demands your devotion. The apostle John strongly warns, "Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts" (1 John 5:21). Where is your heart? Are you remaining pure and faithful to your holy God? Holy living involves a daily decision to surrender to the lordship of Christ.

Sin brings death and destruction, while holiness brings health and well-being. God wants your mind and heart to be filled with His holy qualities. As your life is transformed, you will project the light of His holiness into the darkness of this evil world. Then you shall be holy as He is holy.

"But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God-who chose you to be His children-is holy" (1 Peter 1:15).

God Is Absolute Truth.

so believe what He says and live accordingly.

[Jesus said] "I came to bring truth to the world. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true" (John 18:37).

Our God is absolute truth. It is impossible for Him to be otherwise. In fact, God is the source of all truth. Our God, who is present everywhere and knows all things, has total understanding of what is real, what is right, and what is true. Whatever He says is completely accurate.

As Moses was considering God's truthfulness, he said, "God is not a man, that He should lie. He is not a human, that He should change His mind. Has He ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried it through?" (Numbers 23:19).

Whatever God says is absolutely right. Whatever He promises will always be fulfilled.

God wants us to know the truth. Jesus prayed for His disciples, asking God to "sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth" (John 17:17, NIV). The Bible helps us know and understand the truth about Him, ourselves, and life.

God also manifested truth to us in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). While many people claim to know the truth, only Jesus could honestly claim to be the truth.

God also guides us into truth through the working of His Holy Spirit. Jesus told His disciples, "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-the Spirit of truth" (John 14:16, 17, NIV).

Jesus promises, "You are truly My disciples if you keep obeying My teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31, 32). God's truth frees us to live as He intended.

God is our anchor of truth in a society of relativism and falsehood. Do your decisions and lifestyle demonstrate that you are listening to Jesus? Or have you bought into the lies of popular culture? Are you consistently spending time discovering truth in God's Word?

Truth will be found only by those who diligently seek it in the right places. Commit yourself daily to walk in the light of God's truth.

"Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to Your truth" (Psalm 86:11).

God Is Righteous.

so live by His standards.

"The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all He has made" (Psalm 145:17, NIV).

God is righteous, and all the righteousness in the entire universe has its origin in Him. The psalmist exclaims, "Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens … Who can compare with you, O God?" (Psalm 71:19).

We live in an age where the distinction between right and wrong is becoming increasingly blurred. Our culture has adopted the principle of situational ethics, which proposes that what is morally right varies from person to person and situation to situation. Yet God's standards do not change; they are timeless.

God's laws are a reflection of His own righteous nature. If we break God's laws, we will pay the consequences. But we cannot keep God's perfect standard on our own. Only by receiving Jesus as our Savior and Lord are we made righteous.

The apostle Paul explains, "We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done" (Romans 3:22). When we place our trust in Jesus, God no longer sees our sinfulness, but only the perfect righteousness of Christ that now clothes us.

God wants you to display His righteousness in your new life. You can do this through faith as you daily "throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life … Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness -righteous, holy, and true" (Ephesians 4:22–24). This is possible only as you consistently submit your will to the Holy Spirit and depend on Him to empower you.

As Christians, we must hold fast to the righteous standards set forth by the sovereign Ruler of the universe. Regardless of the beliefs and behavior of society, God will hold every person accountable according to His biblical decrees. Whose standards of right are you following?

"Surely, O Lord, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield" (Psalm 5:12, NIV).

God Is Just.

so He will always treat you fairly.

"I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve" (Jeremiah 17:10).

God is absolutely just in all His judgments. Because of His holy righteousness, He cannot be bribed or corrupted in any way. God cannot be fooled. Because He is all-knowing and ever-present, He has all the facts at His disposal. He knows the circumstances and motives, so His decisions are always based on absolute truth. God is also a perfect judge because when He pronounces judgment, He has the power and sovereignty to carry out the punishment. "Everything He does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright He is!" (Deuteronomy 32:4).

Justice is a pillar of society, ensuring that the innocent are vindicated and the guilty are punished. But all too often, this standard for justice is compromised for personal gain by corrupt judges and unscrupulous lawyers. Consequently, many people mistakenly believe they can manipulate God's system of justice. They think that God is fooled by their excuses and alibis.

But because He is a just God, His verdict will always be right. King David said, "The Lord is righteous, and He loves justice" (Psalm 11:7).

Because God is just, He will always treat you fairly. However, as the holy and righteous sovereign of the universe, God cannot ignore any act of sin. God hates sin with a holy passion. The psalmist writes, "You spread out our sins before You-our secret sins-and You see them all … Who can comprehend the power of Your anger? Your wrath is as awesome as the fear You deserve" (Psalm 90:8, 11).

God's anger over sin should never be underestimated. You need to have a healthy fear of God to help you avoid anything that would violate your relationship with Him.

God also rewards right behavior. Although your salvation is secured by faith in Jesus Christ, your good works confirm that you are a child of God and determine the rewards you will receive from Him. We serve a just God, so what you do in this life will matter for eternity.

"God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad" (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

God Is Love.

so He is unconditionally committed to your well-being.

"May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love really is" (Ephesians 3:17, 18).

God is the source of all love. It flows out of the great reservoir of His goodness. Love permeates all of His attributes. While people sometimes violate standards of honesty, righteousness, and morality to please others, God never compromises His integrity. His love does not suppress or negate any of His other attributes.

God's love is unconditional. It is not based on how good you are or what you do to please Him. He loves you because He is God and you are His creation. God's love never fails. The psalmist proclaims, "The Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever" (Psalm 100:5). God's love will not be terminated because of disappointment or a change of heart. He defines love, He generates love, and He demonstrates what true love looks like.

John explains, "This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10). Jesus gave His life on your behalf. He could not have sacrificed any more. God's love for you is supreme.

We, in turn, are to love God wholeheartedly. Jesus declared: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment" (Matthew 22:37, 38). God, in His sovereignty, has created us to find our greatest joy and fulfillment in loving Him.

God also enables us to be channels of His supernatural love. On our own, we are incapable of loving as we should, but God has for us an unending supply of His divine love. It is for us to claim, to enjoy, and to share with others.

When believers begin to love God, love their neighbors as themselves, and love their enemies, society will change for the better. Then the world today, as in the first century, will marvel when they see and experience the transforming power of God's love.

"Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39).

God Is Merciful.

so He forgives you of your sins when you sincerely confess them.

"The Lord is full of compassion and mercy" (James 5:11, NIV).

God is the master of mercy. His very nature desires to relieve you of the self-imposed misery and distress you experience because of your sin.

All humanity benefits from God's mercy to some degree. Jesus stated, "He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45). But God also has a sovereign mercy He shows to those who are His. In gratitude, this is the mercy you are to share with others.

God shows you mercy because He compassionately cares about you. The prophet Isaiah states, "The Lord comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones" (Isaiah 49:13, NIV). Your loving Father cares about what you are going through. The gospels are filled with examples of how Jesus was moved with compassion and acted to help those who were sick, suffering, and in need. Consider the blind man, Bartimaeus, or the ten lepers. Jesus reached out His hands and healed them. Or the woman caught in adultery. He spoke compassionately to her and forgave her.

To experience God's mercy, you must repent of your sin and accept God's forgiveness. The Bible promises, "The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him" (Daniel 9:9, NIV).

God wants you in turn to be merciful to others. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declared, "God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7). In fact, Jesus said, "If you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins" (Matthew 6:15). God's mercy flows to those who show mercy to others.

Your loving heavenly Father is committed to your well-being. Out of His great compassion, He generously bestows on you His grace and mercy. God demonstrates His grace by showering you with blessings you do not deserve. He displays His great mercy by withholding the punishment you so rightfully deserve.

"Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it" (Hebrews 4:16).

God Is Faithful.

so you can trust Him to always keep His promises.

"O Lord God Almighty! Where is there anyone as mighty as You, Lord? Faithfulness is Your very character" (Psalm 89:8).

Faithfulness is at the heart of all that God is and does. His truthfulness, holiness, love, righteousness, and other attributes ensure His faithfulness. He is incapable of being otherwise.

God is faithful to protect you from temptation and the evil one. Paul wrote, "God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). When you are tempted to sin, do not focus on the attractiveness of the temptation, but on God's faithfulness to deliver you from that situation.

God is faithful to forgive you even when you are unfaithful. Because you are still in a body of flesh, you have a tendency to sin and, ultimately, to be unfaithful. How encouraging it is to remember God's promise, "If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself" (2 Timothy 2:13). But, you must be sincere in your repentance and not abuse God's grace. The Bible states, "If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong" (1 John 1:9).

God is faithful to purify you from unrighteousness. It is God's plan for you to become holy and advance His kingdom. And, He is faithful to bring this to pass. Paul declared, "I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again" (Philippians 1:6).

God is faithful to fulfill His promises. Hebrews 10:23 states, "Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep His promise." God is ready and able to deliver all He has promised.

God is faithful to help you in your need. He will never fail you! He is reliable. He is trustworthy. He cannot be otherwise. Your holy and loving God is faithful!

"If you are suffering according to God's will, keep on doing what is right, and trust yourself to the God who made you, for He will never fail you" (1 Peter 4:19).

God Never Changes.

so your future is secure and eternal.

"Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them, He never changes or casts shifting shadows" (James 1:17).

God never changes. In fact, it is impossible for God to change. The influences that cause change in your life have no effect on God. He will never be stronger or weaker. His knowledge and wisdom will not increase or diminish. God does not compromise or change His values. And God does not have mood swings. Life and its uncertainties may shake you, but God-the Rock of Ages-does not move. If you cling to Him, His strength will sustain you.

God's unchanging purpose gives you eternal significance. Psalm 33:11 states, "The Lord's plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken." God's plan is unchangeable. It existed at the beginning of creation and remains the same today. And you are part of His plan! Paul explains, "We are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago" (Ephesians 2:10).

God's unchangeable ways assure you of unwavering guidance. Psalm 18:30 states, "As for God, His way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true." God's principles for life never change. His guidelines, given in Scripture, produce fruitful lives when you follow them.

God's unchanging Word equips you with timeless truth. Isaiah declared, "The grass withers, and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8). God's words and commands are timeless.

God's unchanging commitment guarantees everlasting security. If you have trusted in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can be assured of eternal life. God is eternally committed to your redemption, your spiritual growth, and your eternal destiny. God's commitment to you is as strong as He is eternally constant. The storms of life are continually changing, but God remains the same. He is consistent and reliable. He is your anchor. You can count on God because He never changes.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).