Knowing Who God Is

I love the character of the Lord. I am so thankful that He has revealed His character to us by His Spirit, through His Word. May we never forget what a blessing it is to know the heart of God intimately and personally. He is my God, and He is your God. 

It is important to know God’s character. When you are confident in who God is, you can remain steadfast in your present situation, knowing:

1. He is a God who will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8; Matthew 28:20).
2. He is a God above all and over all. He is sovereign over your situation (Colossians 1:15-20). 
3. He is a God for whom nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37). 

Truths such as these bolster and increase our faith, rededicate our hearts to prayer, and focus our minds on the eternal (the pure and the lovely, as discussed in Philippians 4:8). 

In today’s passage, we see Joel pleading with the people of God to turn back to Him so that they will be saved — not only saved, but restored to fullness. When I read this passage, I see a God who is full of grace, consistent in love, and One who has a passion for His people. Further, I am reminded that only God can restore. 

Recently, the Lord revealed to me that humility and repentance are precursors to restoration. When we return to the presence of the Lord through prayer and time in His Word and acknowledge our need for Him, asking for His forgiveness to cover our sins, we allow God to do His restoring work. To me, restoration is God’s divine work of renewing my mind with His truth, realigning my heart with His will, and resaturating my soul with His joy. 

When we choose to live again in the fullness of God’s presence, the good, the true, and the beautiful take their place – for that is who God is. God can do anything with a heart fully surrendered and devoted to Him. 

I want to remind you, friend, that God is the God of restoration. God does not want you to live in condemnation or shame. He came to restore your joy, confirm your identity, strengthen your soul, and establish you in His house (1 Peter 5:10-11). When the enemy reminds you of your past, speak aloud the character of God. 

1. He is full of grace; His unmerited favor is on your life (Ephesians 1:6). 
2. His mercies are new every day (Lamentations 3:22-23). 
3. He does not repay you according to your sins (Psalm 103:10). 
4. He has separated your sins from you as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). 
5. Your transgressions have been blotted out (Isaiah 44:22). 
6. No one who takes refuge in God will be condemned (Psalm 34:22). 

No matter where you are in your faith journey, you can turn to the Lord. A thousand years is like a day, and a day is like a thousand years in the Lord’s house (2 Peter 3:8).One moment with the Lord is more powerful than many moments of sin. This is because Jesus has already defeated sin for you on the cross (Colossians 2:14). He is able to save you and redeem every part of your life when you place your faith in Him. He loves you with divine, unconditional love. 

Now, go walk in the freedom that comes from knowing who God is.