Who is the God of the Bible?
Who is the God of the Bible? What are His characteristics? What did He do? How would you describe His power? These are questions I pondered, over the past few weeks. This realization came to me, when I was reading a book called Prayer by Tim Keller. Keller pointed out that "the power of our prayers, then lies not primarily in our effort and striving, or in any technique, but rather in our knowledge of God." As I thought about this phrase, it made me wonder a few more questions: how much do I really know about God and Who is this God that I serve? So I took a moment and thought about who God was in the Bible. This is what I came up with.
God is the God of wrath: God is the one who killed everyone in the world except Noah and his family, because of their sinfulness. God is the one who released 10 awful plagues, including killing the first born of every family, against the Egyptians for their defiance against His people. God is the one who eliminated an entire generation of Israelites, his chosen people, because of their rebellion against him. God is the one who allowed Saul, the King of Israel, to be killed in battle, because of his disobedience to Him. He is the same God who threatened to destroy the Ninevites, who then repented, only to turn back to their ways, and become destroyed by God. It's the same God who had Ananias and Sapphira killed, because they lied about how much they gave.
God is the Protector: God is the one who saved David from the hand of Saul. God is the one who saved Noah and his family from the Flood. He is the one who saved Israel from numerous enemies during war, despite being the underdog. God is the one who gave strength to David to defeat the biggest and most well trained Philistine there was, with only a stone. He is the God who saved Daniel from the mouth of the lion, only to have those who put him in their torn to shreds. He is the God who saved Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the blazing furnace, only to have the guards who through them in killed by the scorching heat.
God is the God of love: God is the one who allowed Moses to bring the Israelites out of Egypt, despite the fact that he complained, and did anything he could to have someone else bring them out. He is the God who despite David's sin, allowed him to still have a son to rule his throne after him. He is the one who sent his son, to die on the tree, for the entire world, before him, during his time, and for all time to come.
After I thought through this, I thought, "If I truly believe that this God is true, I do I not fear him in the way the people in the Bible did?" Then I continued thinking, "where is the United States?" As I thought about us, I thought about Sodom and Gomorrah. I thought about Nineveh (Nahum 3). As I read through Nahum 3, I shivered, because of how closely I can relate Nineveh to our country (in parenthesis are my comparisons).
"Woe to the city of blood, (Abortion), full of lies, full of plunder, never without victims! The crack of whips, the clatter of wheels (road rage, sometimes resulting in bloodshed), galloping horses and jolting chariots (speeding drivings, whipping through traffic)! Charging cavalry, flashing swords, and glittering spears! Many casualties (murders everywhere), piles of dead, bodies without number, people stumbling over the corpses--all because of the wanton lust of a harlot (prostitution), alluring, the mistress of sorceries (people worshiping other gods, depending on science to solve all our problems), who enslaved nations by her prostitution, and peoples by her witchcraft."Nahum 3:1-4
The Lord's response...
"I am against you," declares the Lord Almighty, I will lift your skirts over your face. I will show the nations your nakedness and the kingdoms your shame. I will pelt you with filth, I will treat you with contempt and make you a spectacle...All your fortresses are like fig trees with their first ripe fruit; when they are shaken the figs fall into the mouth of the eater. Look at your troops--they are all women! The gates of your land are wide open to your enemies; fire has consumed their bars." Nahum 3:5-6, 12-13
We must turn towards God. Those who are believers, the time for urgency is now. While we still have our religious freedom, we must freely share the story of who Christ is. If we do not share it now, there will be a time when we will not be able to share it without severe persecution.
To the United States, REPENT, for the Kingdom of Heaven is coming. If we continue moving in the direction we are, we will become ash, we will be nothing. God will only tolerate our sins for so long before we face the same fate as Nineveh. Get rid of it all...Idolatry, Murder (abortion included), adultery, divorce without Biblical grounds. Lying, Stealing, coveting. Get rid of every kind of evil or the wrath of God will come upon us.
Lord,
Change this nation. Bring us to our knees in repentance, that all may see and know that you are God. You are the same both now and forever.
Amen!
God is the God of wrath: God is the one who killed everyone in the world except Noah and his family, because of their sinfulness. God is the one who released 10 awful plagues, including killing the first born of every family, against the Egyptians for their defiance against His people. God is the one who eliminated an entire generation of Israelites, his chosen people, because of their rebellion against him. God is the one who allowed Saul, the King of Israel, to be killed in battle, because of his disobedience to Him. He is the same God who threatened to destroy the Ninevites, who then repented, only to turn back to their ways, and become destroyed by God. It's the same God who had Ananias and Sapphira killed, because they lied about how much they gave.
God is the Protector: God is the one who saved David from the hand of Saul. God is the one who saved Noah and his family from the Flood. He is the one who saved Israel from numerous enemies during war, despite being the underdog. God is the one who gave strength to David to defeat the biggest and most well trained Philistine there was, with only a stone. He is the God who saved Daniel from the mouth of the lion, only to have those who put him in their torn to shreds. He is the God who saved Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the blazing furnace, only to have the guards who through them in killed by the scorching heat.
God is the God of love: God is the one who allowed Moses to bring the Israelites out of Egypt, despite the fact that he complained, and did anything he could to have someone else bring them out. He is the God who despite David's sin, allowed him to still have a son to rule his throne after him. He is the one who sent his son, to die on the tree, for the entire world, before him, during his time, and for all time to come.
After I thought through this, I thought, "If I truly believe that this God is true, I do I not fear him in the way the people in the Bible did?" Then I continued thinking, "where is the United States?" As I thought about us, I thought about Sodom and Gomorrah. I thought about Nineveh (Nahum 3). As I read through Nahum 3, I shivered, because of how closely I can relate Nineveh to our country (in parenthesis are my comparisons).
"Woe to the city of blood, (Abortion), full of lies, full of plunder, never without victims! The crack of whips, the clatter of wheels (road rage, sometimes resulting in bloodshed), galloping horses and jolting chariots (speeding drivings, whipping through traffic)! Charging cavalry, flashing swords, and glittering spears! Many casualties (murders everywhere), piles of dead, bodies without number, people stumbling over the corpses--all because of the wanton lust of a harlot (prostitution), alluring, the mistress of sorceries (people worshiping other gods, depending on science to solve all our problems), who enslaved nations by her prostitution, and peoples by her witchcraft."Nahum 3:1-4
The Lord's response...
"I am against you," declares the Lord Almighty, I will lift your skirts over your face. I will show the nations your nakedness and the kingdoms your shame. I will pelt you with filth, I will treat you with contempt and make you a spectacle...All your fortresses are like fig trees with their first ripe fruit; when they are shaken the figs fall into the mouth of the eater. Look at your troops--they are all women! The gates of your land are wide open to your enemies; fire has consumed their bars." Nahum 3:5-6, 12-13
We must turn towards God. Those who are believers, the time for urgency is now. While we still have our religious freedom, we must freely share the story of who Christ is. If we do not share it now, there will be a time when we will not be able to share it without severe persecution.
To the United States, REPENT, for the Kingdom of Heaven is coming. If we continue moving in the direction we are, we will become ash, we will be nothing. God will only tolerate our sins for so long before we face the same fate as Nineveh. Get rid of it all...Idolatry, Murder (abortion included), adultery, divorce without Biblical grounds. Lying, Stealing, coveting. Get rid of every kind of evil or the wrath of God will come upon us.
Lord,
Change this nation. Bring us to our knees in repentance, that all may see and know that you are God. You are the same both now and forever.
Amen!
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