7 Attributes of God That Help Me Navigate Uncertain Times

In the early days of recovery, I spent time contemplating who my higher power is and what God was like as I tried to grow in my understanding of God. It’s not that I had no idea. I had, after all, made a profession of faith as a young pre-teen. Lacking direction and discipleship, my understanding of God really stopped dead in its tracks. There were no doubt times I found myself angry at God as well as moments when I wanted to run to Him but couldn’t figure out how.

Who is God? What is God like?

During uncertain times like the ones we are currently living in, squashed in between a global health crisis and shredded economy, we naturally look for answers, including turning to a higher power, i.e. God. It’s no coincidence that the sale of Bibles has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have even seen a spike in traffic on The Devotional Guy™, as people look for answers to their spiritual questions.

God, as I understand Him today, is far beyond the reach of human imagination. He is unlike anything or anyone else I know. It blows my mind that I can know God on a deep, personal level. Words fall far short of encompassing God’s greatness.

Listed and described below are seven attributes of God that help me navigate these uncertain times. I pray that you will mull them over and reflect on them as you grow in your own understanding of who God is and what He is like.

God is all-powerful.

The theological word describing God’s mighty power is omnipotence. Omnipotence is the quality of possessing unlimited power. The Lord exercises His dominion over all of creation. He governs the hearts of men, creates something out of nothing, and works out all things according to His purposes, exercising His wisdom in all that He does.

God is all-wise.

God is the standard-bearer of wisdom. Working everything out for the good of those who love Him involves innumerable factors, decisions, events, and people. In exercising His wisdom, God displays His greatness for the enjoyment of His glory. There is none wiser than God. He delights in doing the impossible.

God is faithful.

God is true to His word. He does what He says He will do. He is unchanging and a sure refugee in times of trouble. We can depend on God and cast our cares at His feet, confidently knowing that He will be faithful to hear our cries and our pleas. Our trust in God is never in vain.

God is loving.

Our God concerns Himself with His people. He shows tenderness and kindness toward them. He takes no pleasure in our suffering. God delights in us and desires the best for us, offering His Son as a love substitute for our sin. He demonstrated His love for us through the atoning work of Jesus Christ.

God is gracious.

In Christ, God gave us what we don’t deserve. But that’s just like God. He loves to lavish us with His goodness. He takes delight and pleasure in showering us with gifts that display His gracious kindness and demonstrate His love for us.

God is merciful.

In not giving us the punishment we deserve, God showed us great mercy. Our God is compassionate and does not desire for us to live in condemnation. While you and I had no call to demand His mercy, God showered us with His mercy anyway out of His love for us.

God is sovereign.

God is in charge of all things. Nothing happens that He doesn’t either initiate or allow. He works out all things according to the wise counsel of His own will. God’s purposes are all-inclusive and never thwarted. Nothing takes God by surprise.

These 7 attributes of God give me great comfort during this unparalleled time in human history. I know that I believe in and serve a God who’s got this. He is for me. He is for you. God desires the best for us and therefore I can rest in knowing that whatever happens, it is in accordance with God’s plan for my life. He is greater than anything we face. No trial, no tribulation, no trouble is too great or too big for God to handle. And I know that He is faithful beyond measure.

Prayer:

God, we thank You for all that You are. We are glad that You are in charge of the universe and not us. We are thankful that You have our back and that our lives are firmly in Your capable hands. May we delight in You, O Lord, as You delight in us. You are all-powerful, all-wise, faithful, loving, gracious, merciful, and sovereign over all things. Thank You for Jesus. In His name we pray. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. What attributes of God come to your mind when you contemplate who God is and what God is like?
2. Who do you understand God to be?
3. Have you ever felt powerless or that your life is unmanageable? If so, what did you do? Who did you turn to for help?

It is my earnest prayer that you are encouraged by this post. If you know someone this post might encourage, please share it with them. I am humbly grateful for the time you invested in reading my blog. I love engaging with my readers through the comments that they leave, so be sure to leave a comment, share your thoughts, or give me a shout.

God bless.

The Devotional Guy™

ABOUT: The Devotional Guy™ is a writing ministry of Rainer Bantau, a seasoned gospel preacher, church musician, and chaplain ministering to individuals in their workplaces, to the homeless, and wherever he meets them. He shares helps, hope, and insights on his blog, The Devotional Guy™.

Sources:

Bible.org

Free Bible Commentary

Theopedia

The Archaeological Study Bible (2005). Zondervan Publishing. Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The Minister’s Bible (2007). Hendrickson Bible Publishing. Peabody, Massachusetts.

Thank you to the wonderful visual artists and photographers at Pexels, Pixabay, and Pixlr.

I believe that in order to experience life the way God intended, you and I must receive God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ, God has made this gift available to all who ask.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:13

Will you personally receive the gift of eternal life so that you can experience the total forgiveness from your sins that come through believing in the atoning death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9