Devotion: God Is Dependable

Recently we spoke about the sovereignty of God and how God’s capabilities and abilities are mistakenly confused with the characteristics that makes God who he is.  We mentioned that the capabilities and the abilities of God speak to his sovereignty and that God is the supreme authority, an omnipotent or all-powerful entity, who operates totally independent of any part of his creation.  We also mentioned that there is absolutely nothing that God does not have the capability or ability to do, and that just because God “can do” a particular thing, does not mean that God actually “does” that particular thing.

We went on to mention that God has the capability to be unfair, immoral, unrighteous, and to do evil and bad things; the ability to change anything that he chooses to change, especially his mind, if he chooses to change it; and the ability to lie as well, if he wants or chooses to.  We then mentioned that God has chosen not to make these characteristics part of the distinctive qualities that makes him who he is, choosing to have absolutely no injustice, immorality, unrighteousness, or wrong doings with him.  All of these things speak to the very nature or character of the God we serve and what he wants man to know about him.

Can you imagine serving a god that is unfair, immoral, unrighteous, and does evil or bad things?  What about serving a god who had respect of person or whose favor could be brought for a price?  How about serving a god who constantly changes his mind or one whose mind could be changed at all?  And while we cannot speak for any of you, we can answer each of these questions with a great big “YES.”  Yes, we can imagine serving a god such as this because once upon a time we served a so-called god just like that.  Yes, we are speaking of the one called “the god of this world” (II Corinthians 4:4) or “the prince of this world” (John 12:31).  However, after discovering the truth, we are truly thankful that these are not the characteristics of the sovereign, omnipotent God of all creation that we now serve, who has chosen not to make these characteristics part of the distinctive qualities that makes him who he is.  If you think about it, it would be extremely hard to please a god who changed things all the time, especially one who changed his mind, much less trusting one who was unfair, immoral, unrighteous, and did evil or bad things.

If we had to sum up God’s character or nature in one word, “integrity” would definitely be at the forefront.  “Integrity” is defined as “the quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards; uncompromising adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty; or the state of being complete or undivided.”  Integrity is definitely the one word we would choose to sum up the very character or nature of the God we serve.  God tells us that he is God and that “there is none else besides him,” (Deuteronomy 4:35) for there is no one else like him.  God tells us that “he is God in heaven above and upon the earth beneath,” for there is no other god than him (Deuteronomy 4:39).  God has chosen to be “the One of integrity” as a way to set himself apart from all other gods that man could claim to serve (Exodus 20:3), that way, his children would recognize him over all others.

As you read today’s inspirational message, we pray that you will be inspired as well as understand why “God is dependable;” it is one of those characteristics, that distinctive quality that makes God who he is.  As always, we pray that this message will bless you, inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW