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In my first post on this topic, I mentioned that I would post more about who God is throughout the year.
Here is more of what I've learned as I've read my Bible on a Bible reading plan to carry me through the entire Bible in a year.
God is gracious, compassionate, patient, and mercifully loving.
"Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity." (Joel 2:13b, NIV)
He shows favor when it's not deserved. His compassion is like that of a mother for her child. Even with sinners, He is patient. His steadfast love is His covenant love, a loyal love, a promise that He keeps.
God is right in everything He does.
"So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong...It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice." (Job 34:10,12, NIV)
It goes against God's nature to be unjust. We may never understand the plans and purposes of God on this side of heaven, but His plan is perfect. He sees and knows the big picture; we see with limited vision.
God's work is redemptive.
"God does all these things to a man--twice, even three times--to turn back his soul from the pit, that the light of life may shine on him." (Job 33:29-30, NIV)
He is constantly at work to redeem a fallen world to Himself and to give us light.
God is omniscient.
"His eyes are on the ways of men; He sees their every step." (Job 34:21, NIV)
He sees everything we do. The darkest night can't hide our ways from Him.
God is wise, powerful and a worker of miracles.
"His wisdom is profound, His power is vast...He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." (Job 9:4a, 10, NIV)
Everything belongs to Him.
"Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to Me." (Job 41:11, NIV)
There is nothing we can offer God that He doesn't already have, because it all belongs to Him. He doesn't owe us anything.
Here are some more names of God:
El Elyon - God Most High. This name goes along with the point made directly above. He is owner of all things.
"Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, 'Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed Be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.'" (Genesis 14:18-20, NIV)
Adonai - Master; Sovereign LORD. Nothing is beyond His control.
"After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: 'Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.' But Abram said, 'O Sovereign LORD...'" (Genesis 15:1-2a, NIV)
El Roi - God Sees. This goes back to the point above about God's omniscience. Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant, is the one who mentions this name of God in the Bible.
"She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: 'You are the God who sees me,' for she said, 'I have now seen the One who sees me.'" (Genesis 16:13, NIV)
This name of God gives me great comfort. There is no need that I have that He hasn't already seen.
El Shaddai - God Almighty, Almighty God. This name of God shows His power, which is also mentioned above.
"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, 'I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.'" (Genesis 17:1, NIV)
Abraham's response? He fell flat on his face (Genesis 17:3), the only appropriate response in light of God's almighty power!
Dear heavenly Father, Thank You for revealing who You are to us, not only in Your Word, but in Your dealings with us. There is no way with our finite minds that we can truly comprehend all that You are. Thank You for the grace You lavish on us; there's nothing we have done or could do to deserve it. Thank You for Your tender heart toward us, like a mother's love for her children. Thank You for being patient with us. Your steadfast, loyal,