God is described throughout the Bible as having many awe-inspiring characteristics. As believers, how should we respond when we meditate on the nature of our magnificent Creator? Here are some key ways believers can and should respond to the incredible characteristics of God revealed in Scripture:
Worship God for who He is
When we ponder the power, wisdom, love, justice and other attributes of God, our hearts should be moved to worship. We worship God not just for what He has done, but for who He is (Psalm 29:2). The more we understand of God’s limitless greatness, the more we should respond in reverent awe and heartfelt praise. Our worship should declare as the Seraphim in Isaiah 6:3, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
Trust in God’s sovereignty
God is almighty, all-knowing and in complete control of all things (Isaiah 40:21-26). As we reflect on this, we can find peace and security in resting in His sovereign plans. No matter what trials we face or how chaotic the world seems, we can say with confidence like David in Psalm 46:1-3, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.” Our response should be complete trust in our sovereign God.
Find comfort in God’s love and mercy
While God is mighty, majestic and holy, He is also abounding in “steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6). When we are weighed down by guilt or condemnation, we can find comfort in God’s compassion. “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:13-14). We can boldly approach His throne to “receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
Develop deeper awe and reverence for God
At times we can become too casual toward our Creator. But the more we reflect on God’s greatness, the more we should respond with awe, fear and reverence. As Hebrews 12:28-29 says, “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Our hearts should be filled with awe at the privilege of knowing and worshiping this incredible God.
Walk in holiness and obedience
Knowing that God is perfectly holy (1 Peter 1:16) and desires us to “be holy” as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15), we should responsively walk in holiness and obedience. Sin should grieve us because it offends our holy God. Our hearts should echo Psalm 15:1-2 asking, “O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right.” Reverence for God leads to righteous living.
Share the gospel
God is a loving and merciful Savior who desires all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). He cares deeply for the lost. As we grow in understanding of God’s grace and love revealed in Jesus Christ, our hearts should overflow with love for the lost as God’s does. We should long to share with others this amazing grace so they too can come to know and worship this awesome God.
Rest in God’s love
God’s very nature is love (1 John 4:8). His love surrounds His people and reassures us of His presence. “God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 John 4:16). As we ponder the depth of God’s compassionate love toward us as His children, we can find comfort, security and rest in His embrace. His faithful love calms our fears (Psalm 94:18-19).
Develop a heart of humility
Coming before the majestic throne of God should foster within us a spirit of humility. We recognize that He is God alone, and we are but dust before Him (Psalm 103:14). “For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite” (Isaiah 57:15). Humility is the proper posture of our hearts before God.
Find satisfaction in God
Since God is the source of all goodness, truth, beauty and excellence, as we grow to know Him more, we should find greater satisfaction in Him above all else. He alone can fully meet our deepest needs and longings. “My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips” (Psalm 63:5). Our response should be to pursue greater satisfaction in God Himself.
Develop a heart of thankfulness
As we reflect on God’s kindness, grace, compassion and daily blessings on our lives, our hearts should overflow with gratitude. “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 107:1). Gratitude to God should permeate our thoughts, words and actions as we fully recognize how blessed we are by His goodness.
Find courage to face life’s trials
Knowing God is all-powerful gives us courage to press on through hardships and even persecution for the sake of Christ. Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:7, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” We need not fear any earthly trouble or danger, for God is our rock and strength. We can confidently say, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).
Develop deeper love for God
The more we grow to know the depth of God’s love for us demonstrated in Christ (Romans 5:8), the more our hearts are filled with love in return. Jesus said in Luke 7:47, “…he who is forgiven little, loves little.” As we ponder the sacrifice of Jesus to reconcile us to God, our love for God abounds more and more (Philippians 1:9). This love overflows in a life of joyful obedience to His commands (John 14:15).
Find meaning and purpose
Our lives find true meaning, purpose and fulfillment when centered around bringing glory to God. He created us to know Him and live for His purposes. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” The Westminster Shorter Catechism echoes this, stating, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” Our response should be to pursue God’s glory in all we do.
Develop a heart of repentance
Seeing the holiness of God should prompt us to repentance over our sin which offends Him. “But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him” (Psalm 22:6-8). We should quickly repent when our hearts harbor pride, ingratitude, lust or any other sin. Repentance leads to revival in our relationship with God.
Find freedom from fear of man
Because God is the only One we ultimately need to please, knowing Him more intimately frees us from fear of man. “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe” (Proverbs 29:25). Rather than seeking the applause of man, we can focus on the approval of our Father in heaven. This gives courage to live according to conviction rather than compromise.
Develop patience and endurance
When we understand God’s sovereignty over all things, we can patiently trust His timing and plans even when we don’t understand. “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7). God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), so we must trust Him even through long seasons of waiting. He will strengthen us to patiently endure in the trials He ordains for our good (James 1:2-4).
Find our identity and worth in Christ
Knowing we are made in God’s image and loved by Him gives us deep value, worth and identity in Christ. We are His beloved children, chosen and adopted into His family (Galatians 4:4-7). This identity rooted in Christ frees us from seeking validation from performance, appearance or the approval of others. Our worth comes from who we are in God’s eyes.
Develop Christ-like character
As we behold the goodness of God, we are transformed to become more like Christ (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). The love, grace, mercy, justice, wisdom and other attributes of God reflected in Jesus Christ become the pattern for our own Christian character. Walking closely with God molds us into His image from one degree of glory to another.
In summary, developing a deeper knowledge of who God is and how He has revealed Himself in Scripture leads to profound growth and transformation in our lives. Our relationship with God should fuel the way we think, speak, serve, dream and make daily decisions. Celebrating the majesty and glory of God leads to a more meaningful, purposeful and abundant life lived for His praise and glory.
