Who is God?

A.W. Tozer wisely said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” This statement holds so much truth because our perception of God impacts our lives.

Do you think of God as a man with a long white beard who must be angry with you because of the things you’ve done? Do you think he has a scowl on His face, and you have to perform perfectly for Him to love you?

OR

Do you think of Him as a loving Father? Do you know He loves you? One day when I asked God what was one thing He wanted me to know right now. I felt these words coming from inside me.

“Come here. Snuggle in. I’ve got you”. I will never forget how loved I felt in that moment and continue to feel because I know in the deepest part of my soul that He loves me!!

I’m excited to explore the nature of God with you and learn who He is through what is shared in the Bible.

One of the best ways to know God is to look at the life of Jesus. In Colossians 1:15, we read, “Jesus is the visible image of an invisible God”.  I love how Daniel Henderson puts it, “Jesus is God’s explanation of himself.” So let’s discover His loving character through the life of Jesus.

The Bible frequently speaks of God as a loving Father. In the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), we see a vivid portrayal of a father who runs to his wayward son, eager to restore and embrace him. Brennan Manning reflects on this with these words: “God is the father who ran to his prodigal son when he came limping home.”

This is who God is-He is a Father who doesn’t just wait for us to come back but runs to meet us in our brokenness. His heart is full of love, grace, and compassion, eager to bring us back into a relationship with Him.

You may have read things in the Old Testament that make you think that God isn’t a loving Father and that He is vengeful. You may feel that the God in the Old Testament doesn’t seem the same as Jesus.

I get how this can be confusing. For me, I find peace in being OK with not fully understanding everything. I hold on to what I do know - I am fully loved and I can trust Him.

• Key Takeaway: God is not distant or indifferent. He is a loving Father who desires a personal, intimate relationship with each of us and is full of love, grace, and compassion. When we mess up He doesn’t push us away, he runs to us when we turn to Him.

Psalm 23 paints a beautiful picture of God as our Shepherd. A shepherd is there to protect and guide his sheep. He cares so much for his sheep that he will risk his life to save them.

In Psalm 23, David says, “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” God cares for us as a shepherd cares for his sheep. He provides, leads, restores, and protects. Even in our darkest times, we don’t have to be afraid, for He is with us, guiding us, comforting us, and offering us peace.

• Psalm 23 Reflection:
  • God provides peace (He lets me rest in green meadows).
  • He leads us to still waters and renews our strength.
  • Even when we face difficulties or the “darkest valley,” He is with us, offering protection and comfort.
  • He blesses us abundantly, and His love pursues us every day of our lives.

• Key Takeaway: God is our Shepherd. He guides, protects, and blesses us with all that we need. We are never alone because His presence is always with us. Take time to read Psalm 23 several times. Let God pour over your heart the truth of who He is and how much He cares about you.

When I read these words in Jeremiah 3, it really touched my heart, “Yet I am still calling you to come back to me.”  These words were spoken to wayward people who had continually chosen to worship other gods and ignore the One True God. We have to know that God is always calling us to come back.

You may feel that you’ve done too many things for Him to call you back, but the Truth is, you are and will always be His Beloved. God is love, so He can’t not love you.

Yes, you do have a role to play. You have to believe in Jesus and what He did on the cross for you, and you need to ask God to help you to turn away from the things you are doing that go against His plan for your life. Then accept His love, forgiveness, and grace.

Knowing who God is will be a lifelong journey.  I've only mentioned a few of the wonderful characteristics of God. I am always learning new things about Him. I pray you will come to know Him in a new and personal way, which will allow you to trust Him and feel His love!