By Mike Chaffin
He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will give truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham, which You have sworn to our fathers from days of old. Micah 7:19-20
Micah’s last words are comforting. They speak of compassion, forgiveness of sins, truth, and mercy. These are some of God’s natural attributes. Attributes are characteristics that help us understand who God is, and His love for us.
God has told us repeatedly throughout the Bible who He is. Depending on the author, several list varying numbers of attributes. I like Bill Bright’s list of thirteen. It seems to capture them all.
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God is a Personal Spirit
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God is All Powerful (omnipotent)
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God is Present Everywhere (omnipresent)
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God Knows Everything (omniscient)
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God is Sovereign.
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God is Holy.
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God is Absolute Truth
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God is Righteous.
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Got is Just.
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God is Love.
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God is Merciful.
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God is Faithful.
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God never changes (immutable)
If we take a minute to let this list soak in, we are awed by the majesty of our God. God has given us His Holy Spirit and invited us into a relationship with Him. If we draw close to Him, He will draw close to us. As a Christian, when we shine Christ’s light, we shine some of these attributes since they are supposed to rub off on us. Of course, we will never by all powerful, present everywhere, know everything, or be sovereign. But we are called to know the truth so it will set us free. We are called to be Holy, for He is Holy. We are imbued with the righteousness of Christ. We are to seek justice and show love and mercy. We are his faithful flock.
Perhaps the most comforting to know is that God never changes. The rules don’t change. We can say with certainty that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him. We can say this because Jesus first said it to us. Comforting last words to think on.
Prayer: Lord, I praise you for who you are. You are the mighty God, creator, redeemer, healer and much more. You work miracles. The greatest thing I praise is that you sent Jesus to die for my sins. Refill me with your Holy Spirit so I can better shine your light. In Jesus name, amen.
