Our God is omnipresent. He is everywhere simultaneously. He is ever-present, and in addition, He is omnipotent — all-powerful — and omniscient — all-knowing. There is no situation or place hidden from Him. He sees all and knows all. That is why His judgments are true altogether (Psalm 19:9). Because He sees all things, even the secrets in your heart that no one else sees or knows, He will not, like man, be unjust in His judgment.
You cannot hide anything from Him.
Sometimes, when we see repercussions that come upon an individual, we tend to believe, though secretly in our hearts, that God has not judged well. We forget that human nature is so deceitful that it only presents what it wants you to see. Moreover, a person’s heart is not open to you, so you do not know the wickedness that may be operating there.
In 2 Chronicles 25:1–2, Amaziah, the son of Joash, became king after the death of his father at the age of twenty-five, and his reign lasted twenty-five years. In verse 2, the Bible says he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart. If human beings were to score Amaziah, he did well. He passed. His name might even have been written among the country’s most successful kings. You see, all we can see as humans is what is displayed before us. But God measures what is in the heart.
You can deceive man, but you cannot deceive God. He does not judge based on outward show or appearance. As long as you continue to present a deceptive front, you will find it difficult to see God move in your life. God is not deceived. You may gather all evidence, and anyone who hears you may believe you are right and that you have been treated unfairly. But the One who sees all things will always give you according to what you have sown, not according to what you want.
What is your motive?
This brings me to another attribute of God: He is a rewarder. He will reward you according to your deeds. What are you doing? What occupies your life? He rewards those who seek Him, who live for Him, and who obey His Word.
This is not merely about going to church, singing in the choir, or cleaning the house of God. All these activities are fruitless if your motive or the state of your heart is not right. It is possible to do good like Amaziah, but if your heart is not right, God will not reward you according to what you desire, but according to the hidden intentions of your heart.
1 Corinthians 13:1–3 makes this very clear. Yes, you can engage in spiritual gymnastics and speak in the tongues of men and angels, but without love, you are only making noise. You may prophesy mightily, understand mysteries, possess knowledge, and have faith that can move mountains, but without love, you have failed the test. Even if you give all you have to the poor and the less privileged, it does not move God if it is not done in love.
Examine yourself and the activities you are involved in. Are they done so that people may see how rich or powerful you are? Is it so that men will believe you are giving back to society, while love is absent from your heart? This does not move God. He sees your intentions and will reward you according to them.
Beloved, cleanse your heart. Prune your intentions. The human nature within you will always want to display pride and arrogance, deal with it. Evil thoughts and the gratification of the flesh will always try to rear their ugly heads in your heart, but bring them into subjection to the Word of God. Yes, you cannot stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can certainly prevent it from building a nest in your hair.
Bring every thought into obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
You are a mere human formed from dust. If not for God’s breath of life, you would be no different from other created things. All that you have has been given to you. See it as a privilege, not as proof that you are greater or more knowledgeable than others. There are people better and more knowledgeable than you who do not have the opportunities you have. If not for God, your situation might have been worse.
Our God sees and rewards according to His perfect knowledge. You cannot hide from Him. You may deceive men with sweet words, vast knowledge, innocent looks, and a gentle outward disposition, but not God. He sees, and He rewards accordingly.
It is well.
GOD IS GRACIOUS
God Is Gracious
Our God is gracious, full of mercy, and delights in giving grace to His children. Grace is said to be a free and undeserved favor, a divine assistance given to humans by God. God is compassionate, magnanimous, and benevolent. He is favorable to His children. In Genesis 6:8, the Bible says that Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Psalm 116 says, “Gracious is the Lord and righteous; our God is merciful.”
Moses also found grace with God in Exodus 33:17. God decided to have mercy and answer his request because He said, “I know you by name.” If you read down to verse 23, God went above and beyond to answer Moses’ request. If God knows you, if He is certain of you, acquainted with you, has encountered you, and has experience with you (as people say now, you have a history together), if He understands you and has a grasp of you through experience, so that He is able to distinguish and discern you, this is not a one-off thing but something consistent.
Remember what God said about Abraham (Genesis 18:17). When you are known by God and He can consistently trust you, then He will be merciful to you. Are you consistent in your relationship with God? Can you be trusted to praise and worship Him when you receive a breakthrough in the same way you do when your prayer is not answered as you expected? Do you trust God in times of delay, or only when your requests are granted?
Be not deceived; God cannot be mocked. He sees your heart as well, even more clearly than what proceeds out of your mouth. When you have been tested and can be trusted, the Lord will become your Sun and Shield; He will give you His grace and glory. He will not withhold any good thing from you because you will walk uprightly in His sight (Psalm 84:11).
In Exodus 34:6–7, apart from being merciful and gracious, He is also longsuffering and abundant in goodness and truth. He forgives your sins, iniquities, and transgressions. He is not holding a rod over your neck, waiting for you to sin; rather, He continues to hope that you will recognize your sins and turn from your wicked ways. That is why some think that God is slack in His dealings, whereas He is actually giving you time, hoping that you will repent.
You see, He cannot force you to do His will because He created you in His own image. This means you have a will, and He will stand by whatever you decide, even if it leads to your destruction, because you are a moral agent, that is, you have the capacity to choose between right and wrong.
So, to enjoy the mercy of God:
1. Develop a vibrant relationship with Him. Put Him first in your life at all times. Obey His Word and His directives.
2. Pursue righteousness. Protect and defend your right standing with God with integrity.
3. According to God’s command, love all and treat everyone with fairness and kindness, not just outwardly, but with a heart-level transformation through reliance on divine grace rather than mere self-effort.
4. Let your life reflect God and His Word so that people can “read” you at all times and thereby understand the nature of God.
5. Be consistent, in prayer, in studying the Word, in obedience, and in all things. Read Isaiah 30:18, Isaiah 55:7, and Romans 9:15.
It is God who determines whom to have mercy on and whom to have compassion on; therefore, it is Him who should be pleased, not man. Whatever man gives you will not last forever, and whatever the devil gives will always lead to destruction. He is evil and does not have the capacity to give good. It is only the gift of God that makes rich and adds no sorrow to it (Proverbs 10:22).
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in times of need (Hebrews 4:16). This is an open invitation for you as well as for all who believe in Him. He has promised to pour out the Spirit of grace and supplication on all who look to Him.
What are you waiting for?
Our God is gracious, full of mercy, and delights in giving grace to His children. Grace is said to be a free and undeserved favor, a divine assistance given to humans by God. God is compassionate, magnanimous, and benevolent. He is favorable to His children. In Genesis 6:8, the Bible says that Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Psalm 116 says, “Gracious is the Lord and righteous; our God is merciful.”
Moses also found grace with God in Exodus 33:17. God decided to have mercy and answer his request because He said, “I know you by name.” If you read down to verse 23, God went above and beyond to answer Moses’ request. If God knows you, if He is certain of you, acquainted with you, has encountered you, and has experience with you (as people say now, you have a history together), if He understands you and has a grasp of you through experience, so that He is able to distinguish and discern you, this is not a one-off thing but something consistent.
Remember what God said about Abraham (Genesis 18:17). When you are known by God and He can consistently trust you, then He will be merciful to you. Are you consistent in your relationship with God? Can you be trusted to praise and worship Him when you receive a breakthrough in the same way you do when your prayer is not answered as you expected? Do you trust God in times of delay, or only when your requests are granted?
Be not deceived; God cannot be mocked. He sees your heart as well, even more clearly than what proceeds out of your mouth. When you have been tested and can be trusted, the Lord will become your Sun and Shield; He will give you His grace and glory. He will not withhold any good thing from you because you will walk uprightly in His sight (Psalm 84:11).
In Exodus 34:6–7, apart from being merciful and gracious, He is also longsuffering and abundant in goodness and truth. He forgives your sins, iniquities, and transgressions. He is not holding a rod over your neck, waiting for you to sin; rather, He continues to hope that you will recognize your sins and turn from your wicked ways. That is why some think that God is slack in His dealings, whereas He is actually giving you time, hoping that you will repent.
You see, He cannot force you to do His will because He created you in His own image. This means you have a will, and He will stand by whatever you decide, even if it leads to your destruction, because you are a moral agent, that is, you have the capacity to choose between right and wrong.
So, to enjoy the mercy of God:
1. Develop a vibrant relationship with Him. Put Him first in your life at all times. Obey His Word and His directives.
2. Pursue righteousness. Protect and defend your right standing with God with integrity.
3. According to God’s command, love all and treat everyone with fairness and kindness, not just outwardly, but with a heart-level transformation through reliance on divine grace rather than mere self-effort.
4. Let your life reflect God and His Word so that people can “read” you at all times and thereby understand the nature of God.
5. Be consistent, in prayer, in studying the Word, in obedience, and in all things. Read Isaiah 30:18, Isaiah 55:7, and Romans 9:15.
It is God who determines whom to have mercy on and whom to have compassion on; therefore, it is Him who should be pleased, not man. Whatever man gives you will not last forever, and whatever the devil gives will always lead to destruction. He is evil and does not have the capacity to give good. It is only the gift of God that makes rich and adds no sorrow to it (Proverbs 10:22).
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in times of need (Hebrews 4:16). This is an open invitation for you as well as for all who believe in Him. He has promised to pour out the Spirit of grace and supplication on all who look to Him.
What are you waiting for?
GOD WALK WITH MAN
Though God is the Creator who created all things and upholds them with His power, He still delights in walking with the highest of His creation,man. He is open and ready for a robust relationship with man.
In Genesis 5:22, the Bible says Enoch walked with God in spite of the fact that he was human and engaged in all that humans engage in. Enoch was a father (he had sons and daughters) and definitely must have been a husband. He had a home and, like all of us, provided for his household. Of course, at that time his parents, grandparents, and probably all his extended family were still around. Still, he must have pleased the Creator for God to walk with him.
He had such a deep relationship with God that it got to the point where God took him. It was as if, instead of God coming daily to relate with him, He decided that Enoch should just come over and stay permanently with Him in heaven, without going through the transportation vehicle all humans are to use, which is death. God took him.
Some of us have friends and even BFFs (best friends for life). We want to see them daily, be with them, and discuss everything with them. This brings to mind what God said in Genesis 18:17: “And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?” It is like God saying, My relationship with Abraham is so important that I would not like him to hear that I did something without telling him, asking his opinion, or getting his input. What a relationship.
Some of us who are even married will not bother to request our spouse’s opinion on some issues because, to us, their opinions do not matter. Do not forget the fact that God is omnipotent, who created all things and sustains all things. So whatever Abraham’s opinion was, it had no power to add to God; however, his opinion was still important, and God valued His relationship with Abraham. So we see God agreeing to Abraham’s plea concerning Sodom and Gomorrah because of Lot and his family.
Another man like me and you, Noah, found favor with God (Genesis 6:8). God had a plan to destroy man whom He had made, and all other creatures, beasts, creeping things, and fowls of the air. Yet His relationship with Noah was so important that He decided to exempt Noah and all who willingly joined him in the ark. He made the necessary provisions to sustain them during the flood and for procreation after the flood.
All through the Bible, we see God calling on men, wanting to walk with them and to show them His ways and His delights. God has not hidden His likes and dislikes from His children. When you have a friend or spouse and you want the relationship to continue and grow in intensity, you take time to study and abide by what your spouse or friend wants or delights in. You go to the extent of altering your own life and sometimes even your outlook. You let go of things you know your friend does not like and, if need be, take on some things in an effort to appeal more to your friend.
You want at all times to conform to your BFF’s desires, even though you may have to alter your beliefs and nature. You will do all these to please a human being like yourself because you want to belong. A lot of youths are facing terrible peer pressure because they want to please an individual or group, even though there is really no advantage in it.
The Bible says you are fearfully and wonderfully made. All you need is God. You are your best self, and if another human will not accept you as you are with God, then you do not belong in that circle.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28–30 that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. A relationship with God is not burdensome. What He requires from you is not beyond your ability, and moreover, it is for your good. Psalm 1:1–2 outlines what is expected of you:
1. Do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. Do not take advice from those who have no relationship with God. Their advice is very likely to be contrary to God’s Word.
2. Do not stand in the way of sinners. Do not associate with sinners, those who do not value God and His commands, and who are not controlled by His Word.
3. Do not sit with the scornful, those who show disrespect, contempt, and disdain for godly things and for God; those who believe that being a child of God is beneath them; those who think Christianity is old-fashioned and only for the lowest or worst in life.
What is expected of you is this:
1. Delight in the law of God.
2. Meditate on it day and night.
3. Observe and do it wholeheartedly.
In Micah 6:8, you are shown what is good and what the LORD requires of you: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Do not be puffed up because you are rich, beautiful, educated, or have worldly benefits. They can be destroyed in the twinkling of an eye, ask Job. It is only your relationship with God that has the ability to last forever.
That relationship puts all the resources of heaven and earth at your disposal. These treasures cannot be corrupted or stolen, and they bring no sorrow.
Friend, choose wisely. When you walk with God, there is no peer pressure or inferiority complex. In fact, God will come down to your level and lift you up to His own level. All you have to do is agree with Him (Amos 3:3).
In Genesis 5:22, the Bible says Enoch walked with God in spite of the fact that he was human and engaged in all that humans engage in. Enoch was a father (he had sons and daughters) and definitely must have been a husband. He had a home and, like all of us, provided for his household. Of course, at that time his parents, grandparents, and probably all his extended family were still around. Still, he must have pleased the Creator for God to walk with him.
He had such a deep relationship with God that it got to the point where God took him. It was as if, instead of God coming daily to relate with him, He decided that Enoch should just come over and stay permanently with Him in heaven, without going through the transportation vehicle all humans are to use, which is death. God took him.
Some of us have friends and even BFFs (best friends for life). We want to see them daily, be with them, and discuss everything with them. This brings to mind what God said in Genesis 18:17: “And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?” It is like God saying, My relationship with Abraham is so important that I would not like him to hear that I did something without telling him, asking his opinion, or getting his input. What a relationship.
Some of us who are even married will not bother to request our spouse’s opinion on some issues because, to us, their opinions do not matter. Do not forget the fact that God is omnipotent, who created all things and sustains all things. So whatever Abraham’s opinion was, it had no power to add to God; however, his opinion was still important, and God valued His relationship with Abraham. So we see God agreeing to Abraham’s plea concerning Sodom and Gomorrah because of Lot and his family.
Another man like me and you, Noah, found favor with God (Genesis 6:8). God had a plan to destroy man whom He had made, and all other creatures, beasts, creeping things, and fowls of the air. Yet His relationship with Noah was so important that He decided to exempt Noah and all who willingly joined him in the ark. He made the necessary provisions to sustain them during the flood and for procreation after the flood.
All through the Bible, we see God calling on men, wanting to walk with them and to show them His ways and His delights. God has not hidden His likes and dislikes from His children. When you have a friend or spouse and you want the relationship to continue and grow in intensity, you take time to study and abide by what your spouse or friend wants or delights in. You go to the extent of altering your own life and sometimes even your outlook. You let go of things you know your friend does not like and, if need be, take on some things in an effort to appeal more to your friend.
You want at all times to conform to your BFF’s desires, even though you may have to alter your beliefs and nature. You will do all these to please a human being like yourself because you want to belong. A lot of youths are facing terrible peer pressure because they want to please an individual or group, even though there is really no advantage in it.
The Bible says you are fearfully and wonderfully made. All you need is God. You are your best self, and if another human will not accept you as you are with God, then you do not belong in that circle.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28–30 that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. A relationship with God is not burdensome. What He requires from you is not beyond your ability, and moreover, it is for your good. Psalm 1:1–2 outlines what is expected of you:
1. Do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. Do not take advice from those who have no relationship with God. Their advice is very likely to be contrary to God’s Word.
2. Do not stand in the way of sinners. Do not associate with sinners, those who do not value God and His commands, and who are not controlled by His Word.
3. Do not sit with the scornful, those who show disrespect, contempt, and disdain for godly things and for God; those who believe that being a child of God is beneath them; those who think Christianity is old-fashioned and only for the lowest or worst in life.
What is expected of you is this:
1. Delight in the law of God.
2. Meditate on it day and night.
3. Observe and do it wholeheartedly.
In Micah 6:8, you are shown what is good and what the LORD requires of you: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Do not be puffed up because you are rich, beautiful, educated, or have worldly benefits. They can be destroyed in the twinkling of an eye, ask Job. It is only your relationship with God that has the ability to last forever.
That relationship puts all the resources of heaven and earth at your disposal. These treasures cannot be corrupted or stolen, and they bring no sorrow.
Friend, choose wisely. When you walk with God, there is no peer pressure or inferiority complex. In fact, God will come down to your level and lift you up to His own level. All you have to do is agree with Him (Amos 3:3).
ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
One way of knowing a person or an individual is through his or her attributes. An attribute is the character or quality of a subject, an option or setting belonging to that person which is considered typical of them; what a person is known for and identified with.
So today, let us start by looking at the attributes of God, so that through them we can draw closer to Him. If you go through the Bible, you will find numerous attributes of God, and these will give you more understanding about Him.
God is a Creator. In Genesis 1:1, we understand that God created the heavens and the earth. A creator is someone who creates. So if you, as a person, produce, invent, or bring something new into existence, you have the complete understanding and working knowledge of the things you created. You have the manual for the machine, software, or tools you made. Because you are the one who brought something new or original into being, you have full control over it.
If the user completely follows the instructions in the manual, the machine or tool will work perfectly. But if even one directive is overlooked, the whole system may not work properly or may function at a reduced capacity. In fact, in some machines or tools, if you refuse to follow the creator’s manual step by step, the machine may spoil completely and cannot be salvaged.
So when God created the heavens and the earth, we must know and fully agree that He alone has the control and the manual for their smooth operation. When you buy a machine or tool and it does not work as it should, you are advised to take it back to the manufacturer. In the same way, whatever challenges you are having, you need to go to Him who created the heavens, the earth, and all that is in them.
Not only that, some machines also contain a system called troubleshooting. The producer will tell you, for example, that if the red light comes on or it keeps beeping nonstop, certain reasons may be responsible, and certain processes will restore it.
Troubleshooting is a systematic and logical process of identifying, diagnosing, and solving problems in a machine or software to restore functionality. It involves identifying the situation, like a doctor identifying your symptoms, analyzing potential causes, and then applying the right fixes.
Our God is a perfect God and cannot, and does not, create defective things. So if you are going through challenges that are contrary to the Creator’s perfect work, you need to troubleshoot your life. The manual, which is the Bible, contains how you can identify problems. Instructions for diagnosing and solving them are also available so that your life can be fully restored to functionality.
Do not just assume that the problem is caused by this person or that person. You need to gather information. In the Bible, you will see people who faced similar problems before and the symptoms they experienced. This will help you identify your own situation. You need to know at what point the problem started.
For example, when a machine is not working, you first check the obvious: power supply, cables, and basic settings. Through this, you can identify the cause. You narrow down the problem, and then it becomes easier to determine and fix it.
Your life was created to function without hitch if you follow the directives of the Creator. You have the manual available to live a functional life, and if there is any problem, the manual also contains troubleshooting instructions. So you have no excuse.
Darkness on its own has no meaning. It is simply the absence of light. It will continue to prosper in your home, city, or country as long as light is not present. The Bible calls you the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Light cannot be hidden. As long as there is light, darkness cannot prosper.
The devil knows this and will constantly work to keep you from knowing the truth. So many times, we run after shadows. We believe that people are attacking us. My dear beloved, you need to grow in the Word of God. The Word of God has the power to flood your life with light, and every darkness will flee (John 8:32). The truth you know shall make you free.
God said His people perish for lack of knowledge, not lack of power or anointing. Seek light, higher light. Invest in the Word of God. Listen to true men of God, not those who only pamper your ego. Pray without ceasing, and do not join the group that says failure is normal and should be accepted.
You hear people say the economy is bad, yet people are still succeeding. So why should you fold your arms and agree to be a casualty of a bad economy? During the COVID-19 lockdown, while many were losing millions, some were making more money than ever before in their lives.
The Creator’s manual contains diverse instructions in righteousness, wisdom that is not of this world, and secrets that can make you successful. Avail yourself of it as a child of God. It is there for your good, so go for it. It is not always about the devil; sometimes it is simply about the absence of light and a refusal to invest in growth.
It is well.
So today, let us start by looking at the attributes of God, so that through them we can draw closer to Him. If you go through the Bible, you will find numerous attributes of God, and these will give you more understanding about Him.
God is a Creator. In Genesis 1:1, we understand that God created the heavens and the earth. A creator is someone who creates. So if you, as a person, produce, invent, or bring something new into existence, you have the complete understanding and working knowledge of the things you created. You have the manual for the machine, software, or tools you made. Because you are the one who brought something new or original into being, you have full control over it.
If the user completely follows the instructions in the manual, the machine or tool will work perfectly. But if even one directive is overlooked, the whole system may not work properly or may function at a reduced capacity. In fact, in some machines or tools, if you refuse to follow the creator’s manual step by step, the machine may spoil completely and cannot be salvaged.
So when God created the heavens and the earth, we must know and fully agree that He alone has the control and the manual for their smooth operation. When you buy a machine or tool and it does not work as it should, you are advised to take it back to the manufacturer. In the same way, whatever challenges you are having, you need to go to Him who created the heavens, the earth, and all that is in them.
Not only that, some machines also contain a system called troubleshooting. The producer will tell you, for example, that if the red light comes on or it keeps beeping nonstop, certain reasons may be responsible, and certain processes will restore it.
Troubleshooting is a systematic and logical process of identifying, diagnosing, and solving problems in a machine or software to restore functionality. It involves identifying the situation, like a doctor identifying your symptoms, analyzing potential causes, and then applying the right fixes.
Our God is a perfect God and cannot, and does not, create defective things. So if you are going through challenges that are contrary to the Creator’s perfect work, you need to troubleshoot your life. The manual, which is the Bible, contains how you can identify problems. Instructions for diagnosing and solving them are also available so that your life can be fully restored to functionality.
Do not just assume that the problem is caused by this person or that person. You need to gather information. In the Bible, you will see people who faced similar problems before and the symptoms they experienced. This will help you identify your own situation. You need to know at what point the problem started.
For example, when a machine is not working, you first check the obvious: power supply, cables, and basic settings. Through this, you can identify the cause. You narrow down the problem, and then it becomes easier to determine and fix it.
Your life was created to function without hitch if you follow the directives of the Creator. You have the manual available to live a functional life, and if there is any problem, the manual also contains troubleshooting instructions. So you have no excuse.
Darkness on its own has no meaning. It is simply the absence of light. It will continue to prosper in your home, city, or country as long as light is not present. The Bible calls you the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Light cannot be hidden. As long as there is light, darkness cannot prosper.
The devil knows this and will constantly work to keep you from knowing the truth. So many times, we run after shadows. We believe that people are attacking us. My dear beloved, you need to grow in the Word of God. The Word of God has the power to flood your life with light, and every darkness will flee (John 8:32). The truth you know shall make you free.
God said His people perish for lack of knowledge, not lack of power or anointing. Seek light, higher light. Invest in the Word of God. Listen to true men of God, not those who only pamper your ego. Pray without ceasing, and do not join the group that says failure is normal and should be accepted.
You hear people say the economy is bad, yet people are still succeeding. So why should you fold your arms and agree to be a casualty of a bad economy? During the COVID-19 lockdown, while many were losing millions, some were making more money than ever before in their lives.
The Creator’s manual contains diverse instructions in righteousness, wisdom that is not of this world, and secrets that can make you successful. Avail yourself of it as a child of God. It is there for your good, so go for it. It is not always about the devil; sometimes it is simply about the absence of light and a refusal to invest in growth.
It is well.