Bulletin
What is God Like?
There are two things we can tell about the Creator of the universe by simply looking at His handiwork: His eternal power and His divine nature (Romans 1:20). But there is so much more about God that we need to know. The only way we can learn of His character and will is to look to His revelation. In the pages of Scripture we find the record of His dealings with mankind, His nature and His teachings.
The 146th Psalm is one of those songs of praise to Jehovah God and it is a beauty. God deserves our praise for no other reason than who He is, but this psalm reminds us of why we love Him so much by recounting some of His awe-inspiring characteristics. What is our God like?
He keeps faith forever. He always keeps His promises (Joshua 21:43;45). He never changes (Hebrews 13:8). He is good and His lovingkindness is everlasting (Psalm 118:1) He is the Rock of our salvation (2 Samuel 22:47). Men may fail us, but God will not. He has told us, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you” so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6) What a blessing!
He is a loving God. This psalm emphasizes that God loves the righteous but He is also concerned about “strangers”. He sends His rain on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). He loved the world enough to send His Son (John 3:16) and He wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). His love is universal but, unfortunately, many fail to love Him in return.
He is a compassionate God. He gives food to the hungry and raises up those who are bowed down (vs. 7-8). Psalm 72:12-13 says, “He will deliver the needy when he cries for help, the afflicted also, and him who has no helper. He will have compassion on the poor and needy, and the lives of the needy he will save.” Knowing of God’s compassion gives us confidence in approaching His throne to “find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
He is a just God. He executes justice for the oppressed (v.7). He protects the strangers, supports the fatherless and widow, but thwarts the way of the wicked (v.9). God’s sense of justice is so profound that perjury, differing weights and false scales are abominable to Him (Proverbs 6:19; 20:23). Justice demanded that a price be paid for the sins of mankind so God would remain just while justifying us on the basis of the shed blood of His Son (Romans 3:25-26).
He is a God of mercy. He opens the eyes of the blind and sets prisoners free (vs. 7-8). Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32). There is no separating knowledge of God’s truth, and freedom from the corruption of the world and the slavery of sin. That is why the good news of Jesus Christ is God’s power to save (Romans 1:16).
Peter said that we have been granted the privilege of being partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). Now there is a challenge! Certainly the influence of the Father should be apparent in the character of His children. We must strive to be faithful, loving, compassionate, just and merciful because we serve the God who is all of these things. I am so thankful that He is!
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