Samantha tried to restrain the tears that silently rolled down her cheeks. As the tears became a flood of heavy sobs, she fell onto the bed burying her head in a pillow. Quickly her mother sat down beside Samantha pulling her into a loving embrace. Concern etching her face she quietly asked, “Oh Samantha, what’s wrong honey?”
With a trembling voice, Samantha muttered between sobs. “Another move? (sob, sob) I have to make new friends againnn! How (sob) will I choose the right ones? Howww can I know that I can trust (sob) themmm?”
Her mother gently tilted Samantha’s face up and wiped away her tears. Tenderly she replied, “I know moving isn’t easy, but you will find new friends. Just look for friends with the same values and character as you. People who are kind, loving, faithful and honest. As you get to know people, they will reveal their character and you will know if you can trust them.
Have you ever thought about God’s character?
What do we know about His character? How do we find out?
Like a person’s character is revealed as Samantha gets to know them, God’s character is revealed as we get to know Him.
Why is that important?
Learning about God’s character enables us to recognize:
- That God is trustworthy.
- God’s actions in our lives.
- God’s will because He will never ask us to do something in opposition to His character.
Knowing God’s character will grow our faith in His abounding love for us.
We can see an example of God’s character of love, compassion and faithfulness to provide in 2 Kings 4:1-7.
In these scriptures, because a widow was unable to pay her debts, her two sons were to be taken as slaves. All she owned was one small jar of oil. By God’s direction, the prophet Elisha instructed her to gather jars from her neighbors and fill them with oil from her jar.
Seriously? How was one small jar of oil going to fill many jars?
But our God, who can do the impossible, did just that!
The widow followed the seemingly crazy instructions and gathered jars. She must have had faith that God would act on her behalf because of His character of love.
From one small jar of oil, the widow filled many jars. Selling the oil, she was then able to pay her debts, save her sons, and had money left to live on! Only God could do that! God rewarded the widow for acting in faith even when she could not yet see the impossible result of His instructions.
Throughout the scriptures God’s character is revealed to us.
Let’s do a little search to identify more of God’s character. In the following scriptures, we can identify 10 characteristics of God. Can you find them all? (Answers are at the end of the blog.)
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103:8
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite. Psalm 147:5
Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded
toward one another, according to Christ Jesus. Romans 15:5
Now, let’s try this another way. Can you match the following characteristics of God with a verse below? (Answers are at the end of the blog).
SOVEREIGN
MERCIFUL
TRUTHFUL
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen,
to the glory of God through us. 1 Corinthians 1:20
The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all. Psalm 103:19
He does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities. Psalm 103:10
When we understand God’s character, we can have the confidence that God will act even when we do not yet see the end result. That my friend, is faith.
Sometimes friends let us down, but God will never let us down. We may not understand what God is doing or why, but in faith when we follow His instructions, He will take care of us – just like he took care of the widow.
REFLECTION
Do you trust God to take care of you? What can you start doing to learn more about His character so you can grow your faith?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father as I write Psalms 103:8 and say it aloud, please help me to learn more of Your character. Open up my eyes to see your character at work and grow my faith to place my trust in You. In Jesus name, Amen.
LEARN GOD’S CHARACTER TO GROW YOUR FAITH
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May your day be filled with love and laughter!
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Dog photo Erda Estremera, unsplash
Child photo Saiid Bel, unsplash
ANSWERS:
10 Characteristics of God;
Compassionate, Gracious, Slow to Anger, Loving, (Psalm 103:8), Faithful, Righteous, Forgiving,
(1 John 1:9), Understanding, (Psalm 147:5), Patient, Comforting, (Romans 15:5)
Matching characteristics:
Truthful (1 Corinthians 1:20), Sovereign (Psalm 103:19), Merciful (Psalm 103:10).
