Foundation Study 2
God
What do these verses say about God?
1. Psalm 53:1
God exists. God is a Spirit-being (John 4:24). His existence is evidential and is confirmed by the following:
- The blessings of God (Acts 14:17). The provisions of life are proof of His inherent goodness. The blessings of food, clothing, and shelter, as well as a loving family and caring friends, are evidence of God’s love.
- The work of God (Romans 1:20; Psalm 19:1–4). Creation testifies of God’s existence. Every day (and night), God’s infinite and majestic nature is broadcast to all humanity. God’s immeasurable strength and supernatural majesty are displayed to everyone by what He has made. All mankind is held accountable for this level of understanding about God.
- The names of God. The title I AM (Exodus 3:14) refers to one who is self- existent. It refers to God as “self-sufficient...all-encompassing and without limitations; the one being in the universe who is not dependent on something else for his existence.”1
- The idea of God (Psalm 14:1). The notion of the existence of a divine being is innate to humanity. It’s irrational to suppose otherwise. Author C.S. Lewis proposes that the atheist has to continually suppress the thought that God might actually exist instead of resting in the settled idea that he does not exist. He writes, “Now that I am a Christian I do not have moods in which the whole thing looks very improbable: but when I was an atheist I had moods in which Christianity looked terribly probable.” 2
- The concept of eternity. (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Each human being can imagine the idea of forever. Every person can think of everlasting. The fact that everyone can conceive of the concept of eternity is further evidence of the existence of God. God uses this truth as a foundation upon which to build a right understanding of himself. As pointed out above, creation reveals some of his attributes, but it is Scripture that shows man how to be saved and joyfully worship Him.
- The enemies of God (James 2:19). Even the demons testify of God’s existence. However, they do not submit to His supremacy or righteousness. They do not “tremble in terror.”
2. Psalm 90:2
God is eternal (Genesis 21:33; Psalm 102:27; Jeremiah 10:10; 1 Timothy 1:17, 6:16; Isaiah 40:28). He is spoken of as being without beginning or end. He is referred to as existing before “the beginning” (Genesis 1:1). He is not defined by space or time. He created time and space as a means by which we could comprehend Him. He is due all glory and honor by virtue of His eternal nature.
3. Revelation 4:11
God is Creator (Genesis 1:1, 14:22; Psalm 24:1–2, 33:6, 139:13; Isaiah 42:5, 45:18; Jeremiah 27:5; Zechariah 12:1, Acts 14:15; Ephesians 1:4). God created everything: the heavens, the earth, and humanity. He brought into being all that exists. He did so by simply speaking it into existence. He gives life and breath to every living creature. He created order and uniformity, not empty chaos. Our very existence is a planned creative work. We are not a surprise, unplanned or an accident. He is the Creator and therefore, the owner of all things. Worship and adoration are due to Him because of His creative works. Understanding God as Creator is foundational to worshipping Him as Redeemer.
4. Malachi 3:6
God is unchanging (Numbers 23:19; James 1:17). God is immutable. He does not change His ways. He was, is, and will always be the same. This is encouraging news for those who trust in His faithfulness and patience, but sobering news for those who neglect His righteousness. He is always loving but always just.
5. Psalm 103:19
God is sovereign (Psalm 33:11, 37:23, 47:8, 115:3; Proverbs 16:9; Isaiah 14:24, 46:10, 20:24; Jeremiah 10:23; Ezekiel 12:28; Daniel 4:17; Acts 4:24). God reigns supreme. He rules over all. His authority extends over all of nature and all the affairs of mankind. He does as He pleases. He guides man, while at the same time preserving his free will. Nothing happens without His awareness. He authors or approves all that occurs. He rules over the activity of Satan (Job 1:12). All that He authors or allows is designed to guide the lost to salvation and conform the redeemed into the image of His Son (2 Peter 3:9; Romans 8:29). God does not waste any event, circumstance or relationship in our lives. While things may appear random and chaotic; everything is divinely purposed, providentially intended, lovingly orchestrated and sovereignly brought forth.
6. Psalm 7:11
God is righteous (Psalm 50:6, 75:7, 96:13; Acts 17:31). He is just, the judge of all. He rightly punishes the wicked and holds the redeemed accountable (2 Corinthians 5:10). He actively judges now and will one day judge both the living and the dead with a final eternal declaration (Revelation 11:18, 20:11–15). He is jealous for His own and disciplines them if they wander or become prideful. His judgment flows from His zealous desire to possess what is rightfully His (Deuteronomy 4:24, 5:9). His judgment should prompt reverent living and a respectful attitude (1 Peter 1:17; Revelation 14:7).
7. Psalm 99:9
God is holy (Psalm 22:3, 99:3–5; Revelation 15:4; 1 Samuel 2:2; Isaiah 6:3; 1 John 1:5; 1 Peter 1:15). God’s holiness is infinite and elicits spontaneous and passionate worship. Steve Elliott states, “The holiness of God is defined not just by what it isn’t but by what it is: God’s holiness consists of the presence of perfect righteousness not just the absence of anything related to sin.” God’s holiness is intended to be reflected in the lives of His children. Charles Ryrie says, “This should put to an end the often-useless discussions over what is permitted and what is not in the Christian life. Proper conduct can be tested by the simple question, Is it holy? This is the believer’s standard. Although he does not always measure up to it, he must never compromise it.”3
8. Psalm 86:5
God is good, forgiving, and loving. God is personable. He is not static and distant. He is living and engaged. He does not observe creation from afar. He is involved with each person He created (Luke 12:7) in a personal manner.
- God is good. He is lovingly orchestrating all circumstances for the ultimate benefit of His children. His desire is to bless those who are His. The goodness of God is experienced by those who trust in Him. It prompts thanksgiving, and it’s based on His unending love. The goodness of God is a foundational truth that when trusted, influences the way we perceive every situation in life. (Psalm 34:8, 107:1, 145:9, Romans 8:28).
- God is forgiving. He stands ready to remove the sinner’s guilt and restore the relationship between the sinner and Himself (Psalm 130:4; Exodus 34:7; Nehemiah 9:17; Isaiah 55:7; Daniel 9:9; 1 John 1:9).
- God is loving. He is loving because He is love (1 John 4:8). Any loving action directed toward us is God expressing his love for us.
- His love is gracious. It is undeserved, unconditional, unstoppable, unfailing, and unequaled. The fullest expression of His gracious love was demonstrated by sacrificing Jesus Christ to save us (John 3:16; 15:13, Ephesians 2:4–8; Romans 3:23–25; 5:6-8; 8:39; 1 John 4:10).
- His love is fatherly. He loves as a father loves his children, with tenderness, abundance, and when necessary, firmness and discipline (Hebrews 12:5–11).
- His love is patient (2 Peter 3:9; Romans 2:4). God does not always immediately punish our sinfulness. His patience should prompt a grateful and thankful heart, not one that delays and is slow to respond (Hebrews 3:15; 2 Corinthians 6:2).
- His love is gracious. It is undeserved, unconditional, unstoppable, unfailing, and unequaled. The fullest expression of His gracious love was demonstrated by sacrificing Jesus Christ to save us (John 3:16; 15:13, Ephesians 2:4–8; Romans 3:23–25; 5:6-8; 8:39; 1 John 4:10).
9. Jeremiah 10:7
God is matchless (1 Samuel 2:2; 1 Kings 8:23; Deuteronomy 4:35, 32:39; 2 Samuel 7:22; Exodus 15:11; Isaiah 40:25, 44:8; Psalm 145:3, 86:8). All that has been previously mentioned about God is without equal.
God is supreme in all His ways. His majesty and power are unequaled, unparalleled, immeasurable, and incomparable (Joshua 2:11; Psalm 83:18, 97:9). He is supreme in majesty (Psalm 104:1–2, 93:1; 1 Timothy 6:16), knowledge (Romans 11:34–36), power (2 Chronicles 20:6), and presence (Psalm 139:7–12; Jeremiah 23:24).
His supremacy is the grand theme of Scripture. His supremacy is demonstrated as our great Creator (Genesis 1, 2), our gracious Redeemer (Genesis 3:15-Revelation 20) and our glorious King (Revelation 21,22).
God is supreme in all His ways. His majesty and power are unequaled, unparalleled, immeasurable, and incomparable (Joshua 2:11; Psalm 83:18, 97:9). He is supreme in majesty (Psalm 104:1–2, 93:1; 1 Timothy 6:16), knowledge (Romans 11:34–36), power (2 Chronicles 20:6), and presence (Psalm 139:7–12; Jeremiah 23:24).
His supremacy is the grand theme of Scripture. His supremacy is demonstrated as our great Creator (Genesis 1, 2), our gracious Redeemer (Genesis 3:15-Revelation 20) and our glorious King (Revelation 21,22).
10. Psalm 145:18
God is near and knowable (Deuteronomy 4:7, 4:29; Psalm 85:9, 119:151; Proverbs 8:17; Acts 17:26–27). God is not far off and distant but close and knowable. He is discoverable to those hearts that are broken (Psalm 34:18), genuine (Jeremiah 29:11–13), repentant (Psalm 51:17), seeking (Matthew 7:7–8), and centered on Jesus Christ (Romans 10:13; John 3:16).
God is Trinity. For a further study on the Trinity.
God is Trinity. For a further study on the Trinity.
What was the most significant verse in this study to you? Explain.
Footnotes
- Mark Taylor, The NLT Study Bible (Spokane WA: Olive Tree Bible Software, Version 6.5.3 © 1998-2019.) Notes on Exodus 3:14
- C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996), 125.
- Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology: A Popular, Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Chicago: Moody, 1999), 43.