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). Yet His existence is evidential. It's 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 loving existence.

  • 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 divine majesty are displayed to everyone by what He has made. All humankind 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 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 the foundation upon which to build a right understanding of himself. This concept is also what defines man as being created in the image of God. 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.
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  • 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.”

Ultimately, the strongest evidence for the existence of God, is God himself. As Sabina Wurmbrand said, "God is the best proof that God exists."

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 without beginning or end and referred to as existing before time (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 because of His eternal nature.

3. Revelation 4:11

God is Creator (Genesis 1:1, 14:22; Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 24:1–2, 33:6-9, 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 every living thing. He brought into being all that exists and did so by simply speaking it into existence. He gives life and breath to every living creature, having created order and uniformity, not empty chaos. Our very existence is purposed creative work. We are not a surprise, unplanned, or an accident. He is the Creator and, therefore, the owner of all things, which implies accountability. Worship and adoration are due to Him because of His creative works. Understanding God as our great Creator is foundational to praising Him as our gracious Redeemer and glorious King.

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. That's 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 overall. His authority extends over all of nature and all the affairs of humanity. He does as He pleases. He guides man, while at the same time preserving his free will. This is an unexplainable mystery but trustworthy principle. 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. Everything has a divine purpose, is providentially intended, and sovereignly orchestrated.

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 perfection. It elicits spontaneous and passionate worship. Pastor 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 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. The simple question can test proper conduct. 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 but living and engaged. He does not observe creation from afar. He is personally involved in the life of each person He created (Luke 12:7).

  • God is good. He is lovingly orchestrating all circumstances for the ultimate benefit of His children. He desires to bless those who are His. The goodness of God is experienced by those who trust in Him. It prompts thanksgiving and centers on His everlasting 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 merciful. Ephesians 2:4. Mercy is compassionate care for one in helpless (Romans 5:6), hopeless (Ephesians 2:12) distress. 

    • His love is gracious. It is undeserved, unconditional, unstoppable, unfailing, and unmatched. 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, provision, and, when necessary,  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 heart, not one that delays or is slow to respond (Hebrews 3:15; 2 Corinthians 6:2).​

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). Everything 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. It's declared as our great Creator (Genesis 1, 2), demonstrated as our gracious Redeemer (Genesis 3:15-Revelation 20), and displayed as 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 with broken hearts (Psalm 34:18), honest (Jeremiah 29:11–13), repentant (Psalm 51:17), seeking (Matthew 7:7–8), and centered on Jesus Christ (Romans 10:13; John 3:16).
11. God is Three in One. 
Click here for further study of the Trinity. 
What was the most significant verse in this study to you? Explain. 
Footnotes
  1. Mark Taylor, The NLT Study Bible (Spokane: Olive Tree Bible Software, Version 6.5.3 © 1998-2019.) Notes on Exodus 3:14 
  2. ​C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996), 125. 
  3. Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology: A Popular, Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Chicago: Moody, 1999), 43.

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