A pastor resigned because he wanted to press the “very edges of religion and faith and God.” As science discovers unfathomable mysteries and as society challenges traditional beliefs, it can become difficult to think about God as we always have. The pastor confessed, “I don’t even know if we know what we mean by God anymore.”
The pastor is right. Our cultures are becoming more confused about foundational matters—what’s good, beautiful, and true—and if we take our cues from society, we’ll be confused too. Soon we’ll say, “I’m not sure if we know what we mean by anything anymore.”
But that shows we’re starting in the wrong place. What if we began with the Bible and let God tell us who and what He is? Then we would learn:
God exists in impenetrable freedom. God told Moses His name is Yahweh, which means “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). God dwells in a totally different plane of existence from us. He said, “No one may see me and live” (Exodus 33:20). We’ll never grasp how God is three persons yet one being or how He rules all without impinging on our freedom. We’ll never fully comprehend God, and we know why. He’s God and we aren’t. But though we can’t know everything about Him, we do know a lot!
God freely binds Himself to us in love. God told Moses that He is “Yahweh, the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:15). The God who’s free to do anything has chosen to be our God! We have a long history together. He created us and then sent Jesus to redeem us.
When we become a child of God, we know what He’s like. He’s our Father who loves us more than we can ever know or imagine.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 1:1-11
More:
Read Hebrews 1:1-4 to see the best way to learn about God.
Next:
Write down three things the Bible tells you about God. What will you thank Him for today as you consider His character and ways?
youssef1777 on October 5, 2016 at 3:11 am
WITHOUT FAITH YOU CAN NOT KNOW THAT THERE IS GOD
Gary Shultz on October 5, 2016 at 6:01 am
Mike, I agree with youssef1777. In the name itself it requires a knowledge of, and a faith to believe, as the name is not a search, but a call to the knowledge of the I of “I am”. God has given us more about Himself than we are ever going to absorb this side of heaven. And that would be a big thought for me there is a side of life we will pass to as believers in Christ that will open eternity to more about the great “I am”. We will be able to see and experience a full expression of fellowship God has intended. People are different and I don’t feel moved to explore edges, but I do feel the desire to press toward that day with hope an anticipation of being where God has prepared a place. To be bound in faith and obedience to find God in my everyday life and know He is more than enough. To know He has led in His greatness and regard to a future He holds for us. The God we can not completely understand, completely understands and has welcomed us to see the glory of His presence in that new home we will see. Yes many today are confused and burdened; as in that day the Great “I am” comes. Thanks Mike
gagirllive on October 5, 2016 at 7:08 am
“The God we can not completely understand, completely understands and has welcomed us to see the glory of His presence…” That is rich, BWO. What security, comfort, and hope this brings to me! Thanks
Mike Wittmer on October 5, 2016 at 1:47 pm
Good word, Gary. I like how you said faith itself rests on knowledge. We believe in God because we know Him, and we know Him because He has revealed Himself in Scripture. We have a place to stand!
gagirllive on October 5, 2016 at 7:00 am
Amen, Mike! We know we’re in deep trouble when we try to define God. What example do we have in all the world where the created thing tries to tell the creator who he is? Or have you ever seen anything that was invented define it’s own intended use? Reminds me of a small object that I won as a door prize once. It was packaged with no identification or instructions. I brought it home, and for the life of me, I could never figure out what it was; therefore, I never knew what to do with it. It went from junk drawer to the donate box in no time. If only the maker had given me a clue! Our God is SELF-DEFINED and the DEFINER of all He has made—He not only tells us Who He is, but He tells us who we are. Unlike my mystery object, I know who I am and what my purpose is only because my Creator has told me. Our God is SELF-EXISTENT—He is Yahweh (Jehovah). From everlasting to everlasting He is God. He existed before time because He created time. He was there before there was ever a beginning. I heard a preacher say that volumes could be written on Genesis 1: 1 alone. Amen to that! Our God is SELF-FULFILLED—He is complete and without need in His own Person. Yet, what boggles my mind is that He desires me. “What is man that though are mindful of him and the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8: 4) He has always existed in the perfect harmony and satisfaction of the Godhead, but His redemptive narrative has always included relationship with man. Amazing! Well, there are my 3 things, Mike. A praise-fest is about to happen here. 🙂 Thanks for this good word today, brother. A blessed day to all!
sandy229 on October 5, 2016 at 10:22 am
Yes, I join in your praise-fest GAgirl! Jesus humbly came to the earth He created, and who am I that He should love me and care about me more than I ever thought possible?
From everlasting to everlasting, He is God! Our creater and redeemer, constant help in times of trouble.
Mike Wittmer on October 5, 2016 at 1:49 pm
I haven’t heard of a praise-fest before, but I like it! Great illustration about our need for revelation/instructions to know who we are and how we are supposed to live.
sim jing ying on October 5, 2016 at 7:30 am
In the Bible, God is our fortress in times of trouble, a rest for the weary even youths, and the soup for our soul. I would thank Him for my education and financial needs as me and my family give cheerfully to the Lord and I would thank Him for His patient and loving character as our Father in heaven.
Mike Wittmer on October 5, 2016 at 1:51 pm
Sim jing ying, thank you for this reminder of the many ways God provides for us. He not only saves us but also supplies our daily needs. Praise Him!
Tom Felten on October 5, 2016 at 8:36 am
Mike, I’m so grateful that Emmanuel—Jesus—came to be with us. God’s Son has revealed the very heart of God to all people. And, yes, the Bible reveals His teachings and ways to us. What amazing revelations from our loving heavenly Father!
godlove on October 5, 2016 at 10:36 am
I guess each one of us can have a thousand and one ways to describe who GOD is. However, there is one common attribute, above all else, that all of us believers will certainly agree upon about our GOD, and it’s the fact that GOD is Love. He is our Eternal, Almighty, Invincible, Immortal, Omniscient, Omnipresent and Omnipotent GOD and yet He still loves and cherishes ALL of His creation (including each and every one of these rebellious humans). I actually think it’s a mistake to try to understand GOD, because we just can’t! We just need to seek Him and through faith in Him, allow Him to reveal Himself to us according to His will. I join gagirllive in the praise-fest today in honour of His Mighty Name, for His Love and His Grace and Mercy. Thank you for this beautiful and thought provoking devotional, Mike. Praise God! Blessings to all.
sandy229 on October 5, 2016 at 10:41 am
Amen godlove!! I also join you both in this praise-fest. 1 Chronicles 16:36, “May Yahweh, the God of Isreal, be praised from everlasting to everlasting.”
sandy229 on October 5, 2016 at 10:36 am
The Bible tells me that God is just and faithful, and that He created me for His purpose and Glory, and that God loves us no matter what we do. 1 Chronicles 1:36…”May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be praised from everlasting to everlasting.” Numbers 6:24-26 “May Yahweh bless you and protect you; may Yahweh make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may Yahweh look with favor on you and give you peace.”
sandy229 on October 5, 2016 at 10:38 am
1 Chronicles 16:36, not 1:36, that was a typo
sandy229 on October 5, 2016 at 10:49 am
Psalm 113:1-9
sandy229 on October 5, 2016 at 10:53 am
So I feel like I slept late today, even though I got up at 6:30 or so…but here are the verses that go with that addie.
Psalm 113:1-9
1 Praise the Lord!
Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord.
Praise the name of the Lord!
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
now and forever.
3 Everywhere—from east to west—
praise the name of the Lord.
4 For the Lord is high above the nations;
his glory is higher than the heavens.
5 Who can be compared with the Lord our God,
who is enthroned on high?
6 He stoops to look down
on heaven and on earth.
7 He lifts the poor from the dust
and the needy from the garbage dump.
8 He sets them among princes,
even the princes of his own people!
9 He gives the childless woman a family,
making her a happy mother.
Praise the Lord!
sandy229 on October 5, 2016 at 11:01 am
more praise-fest
Psalm 149
1 Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song.
Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.
2 O Israel, rejoice in your Maker.
O people of Jerusalem,[a] exult in your King.
3 Praise his name with dancing,
accompanied by tambourine and harp.
4 For the Lord delights in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory.
5 Let the faithful rejoice that he honors them.
Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds.
6 Let the praises of God be in their mouths,
and a sharp sword in their hands—
7 to execute vengeance on the nations
and punishment on the peoples,
8 to bind their kings with shackles
and their leaders with iron chains,
9 to execute the judgment written against them.
This is the glorious privilege of his faithful ones.
Praise the Lord!
minkjh on October 5, 2016 at 11:28 am
What powerful and sobering thoughts you give us to ponder, Mike. From my own perspective as a layperson I feel our current culture has moved on from mere confusion to firm confidence that God is no longer relevant in this age. It was only a few decades ago one could safely start a theological conversation by asking why believing in God was personally important and expect a perceptive response. Now it’s simply, do you believe in God (or even a god), with no guarantee of a relevant answer. That’s why for those who profess and possess faith in the I AM, it is paramount that we fully commit our lives to learning as much as we can about Him. Without a right understanding of God and all his attributes as presented in and through the Word, we have zero chance to respond to the call “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”
Mike Wittmer on October 5, 2016 at 1:52 pm
minkjh, I share your assessment of where the world seems to be headed. It can be discouraging, but then I remember that our lives count now more than ever. We have an exciting opportunity to be a bright light in our darkening world.
minkjh on October 5, 2016 at 3:47 pm
I agree Mike. That’s why your calling to prepare future Christ-centered leaders for our world is so necessary at this time to prevent that light from becoming extinguished.