WHAT ABOUT G-D?

Have you ever heard been a victim of gossip? Have you ever heard something about someone and found it hard to believe? 

This happens to all of us, no matter what culture we live in. Most of us either ignore it ….or, if we are really troubled by what we hear or read, we go right to the person.

Often, when we go directly to that person, we find out that what was said was not the truth or was partially true.  Often the victim feels maligned, like an injustice was done against them and their true character was presented incorrectly. This happens every day in the news, on television and over the internet. In fact, much of what sells news is not always firsthand, truthful reporting!

Perhaps the one who has been most “maligned” throughout time has been G-d! Yes, G-d! The G-d of the Bible! The G-d of Israel! Much of what we write about in this blog has to do with man’s religious understanding of G-d and how it lines up with who he says He is in His Word. Many people have misunderstood who He really is.

Not everyone takes the time to find out exactly what G-d says, and many just believe what others who claim to know Him say about Him and His Word.

 I am suggesting in this little post here that if you really want to know G-d, personally seek Him out, don’t rely on what others say about Him.

For some, this is easier than it is for others. Not everyone on the planet has access to the Bible. So, I’ll give you a few things G-d says about Himself to help you understand who He is.

                                   

In Exodus chapter 34, verses 6-7, the Lord comes down in a cloud and stands with Moses and proclaims His Name – Yahveh. He passes in front of Moses proclaiming:

The Lord, The Lord, the compassionate and gracious G-d, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to 1000’s and forgiving wickedness and rebellion and sin.

Wow! What an amazing way for G-d to reveal who he is! He could have said a zillion different things….creator, provider, holy…..but these are the words he chooses to say in front of Moses!

David says in psalms 108:4 :

For great is your love
higher than the heavens
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies!

In Solomon’s Poem, Song of Solomon, he refers to The Lord taking us to His banquet hall and His banner over us is LOVE. (Song of Solomon 2:4)

In Psalm 34, verse 18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit.

He promises in Psalm 91, verses 14-16 that –

“Because he (you) loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him for he acknowledges my name.
He (you) will call upon me and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
And show him my salvation.

The Prophet, Jeremiah, even says G-d doesn’t have “bad” plans for us. In Chapter 29, verse 11 G-d says:

For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and NOT to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.

So many people argue about buildings, property, yet the G-d of the Bible says:

The highest heavens cannot contain Him! (1 Kings 8:27, 2 Chronicles 2:6)

What does the G-d of the Bible, the G-d of Israel want us to do with His presence and His blessing? In Isaiah chapter 61, verses 1-3 He says:

The Lord has anointed me to proclaim Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and
the day of vengeance of our G-d,
to comfort those who mourn
and provide for those who grieve in Zion-
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes
the oil of joy instead of mourning
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.

What a beautiful picture these words paint!  In the same chapter, verse 7, G-d goes on to give even more blessings :

Instead of your shame, you will receive a double portion,
Instead of disgrace, you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion of your land,
And everlasting joy will be yours!

Who else offers mankind everlasting joy?

Now, maybe you are not Jewish. Maybe you are reading this and you are from another culture, another religion. Can you know the G-d of IsraeL? Does he care about you?

In chapter 42 of the book of Isaiah, G-d is introducing His servant. He says:

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
My chosen one, in whom I delight.
I will put my Spirit on Him and
He will bring justice to the nations,
He will not shout or cry out or
raise His voice in the streets,
A bruised reed  he will not break, and
a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness, he will bring forth justice:
He will not falter or be discouraged till
He establishes justice on earth.
In His law, the islands will put their hope.
This is what G-d, The Lord says-
He who created the heavens and stretched them out,
Who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it,
Who gives breath to its people and life to those who walk on it,
I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand,
I will keep you and will a make you to be a covenant people
and a light to the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind, to set captives free
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

I read these words and I read about a G-d who cares about people.

I read about a G-d who is for people, not against them.
I read about a G-d who is not demanding me to do things for Him, but
instead, continually declares what he will do for those who love Him.
Maybe His character is best summed up in Psalm 23:

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me besides still waters.
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for you are with me.
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil.
My cup overflows.
Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!