We sometimes refer to God as “Father,” but God is neither male nor female. Both genders reflect in part the image and character of God. So when God’s Spirit is at work within us, we become more and more like Jesus who revealed God’s true character to us. Here are several passages teaching us about the character of God.
PRAYER: O mysterious God who revealed yourself most fully in Jesus: open my mind and heart to the power and presence of your Spirit that I may worship and serve you faithfully in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Monday- Psalm 90:1-12
God is transcendent and eternal. God is not limited to our space or our time. God is so above and beyond our concepts of reality, it is difficult for us to grasp the true character of God. Some have responded by merely limiting God to what we can understand, or even, what we want. The Psalm writer reveals that God is beyond all of that. Jesus came to reveal God’s character to us. That is why relating to God – trusting God – requires faith. God is beyond the limitations of the human mind and imagination.
Tuesday - Psalm 139
God is omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), and omnipresent (present everywhere). When the angel revealed to Mary that she would bear a son who would be the Messiah, Mary asks, “How can this be?” And the angel replies, “Is anything too hard for God?” God knows us more fully than we know ourselves. God is not limited by space and time as we are. We can see signs of God’s presence everywhere. This raises questions about the problem of evil, but it is not a limitation of God’s character. It is a deeper understanding of God’s mission.
Wednesday – 1 Peter 1:13-16
God is holy and righteous. God is the Master Designer and Gracious Creator of all that is. God understands how things have been put together. God also knows how the ultimate purpose and mission of the cosmos can become most fully experienced. According to writers like Peter and Paul, it is in sharp contrast to the impulses of our natural desires. Holiness and righteousness are God’s characteristics for true peace and wholeness in the world.
Thursday – 1 John 4:7-19
God is love. God most fully reveals love for the world – creature and creation – in the person and mission of Jesus. Love is characterized by personal service and sacrifice. And the way we most fully experience this unlimited, irresistible grace is by offering love and mercy to others. When we love others, God’s love is “perfected” in us. That means God’s love grows and develops. God’s love transforms us into a reflection of Jesus’ character.
Friday – John 3:16-17
There is a line in “The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe” where one of the children ask about Aslan, the Lion who represents God’s power and presence in CS Lewis’ fairy tale. Aslan is not a tame lion. He is dangerous, but he is unquestionably good! God is not tame in that God does not perform in ways to keep us happy and entertained. God has a bigger mission and purpose. But God is unquestionably good! God’s mission and purpose leads to salvation and healing, even when we do not understand it or control it.
Saturday – Matthew 28:16-20
In Matthew’s story, these are Jesus’ last words to his followers. He promised to be with them always, even to the end of the age.God is with us. It is the nickname given to the baby Jesus:“Emmanuel.”But note that Jesus’ promise is to his followers as they pursue the mission of making disciples in the world.It is not, “I am with you, do whatever you please.”God’s faithful presence is to equip and inspire us in fulfilling the mission.