What is Our God Like?

When I was a teenager, my dad was often an embarrassment to me. Although my friends found him to be hilarious, I cringed when he tried to be funny. Ironically, when my two sons had me as their high school teacher several times, they felt the same way.

This is not an uncommon phenomenon as it speaks to typical teenage angst. In fact, there’s a quote attributed to Mark Twain that goes something like this: “When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.”

God our Father is not like that. Throughout Scripture we read of God’s unchanging character, including Psalm 89 which begins by extolling God’s unfailing love. Verse 1 states, “I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.”

Throughout the rest of the Psalm, the author highlights various aspects of God’s sovereign power at work in the universe. Verse 19 jumped out at me when I read the Psalm recently as it highlights that God’s unchanging character is based on four principles – righteousness, justice, love and faithfulness. His actions are always based on those concepts.

Since that is true, why do we find ourselves asking questions such as, “Why is this happening to me?” as if God was like our earthly fathers whose actions could be called into question. Naturally, particularly when we are experiencing difficulties, wondering what is going on is a basic human reaction. However, as Christians those questions should quickly be followed by an acknowledgement that our uncertainty is in no way a result of confusion around God’s motives or desires for us.

Are you in the midst of trying times? Are you finding yourself wondering why God is allowing something to happen to you or those you love? Know for certain that his love for you has not changed nor has his desire to see you through.

God, I know that you are a loving and faithful Heavenly Father. Help me see your glory when I am experiencing difficulties. Give me a greater understanding of what you are doing in the world so that I may gain a heart after yours.

Throughout this day: Read Psalm 89 and meditate on God’s character.