God is totally amazing … and His greatness is far beyond our human understanding.
However, even though we can’t totally understand God’s greatness, the Bible does give us a picture of who He is! There are actually ten fundamental character qualities of God: God is sovereign, eternal, all-knowing, all-powerful, present everywhere, unchanging, holy, just, love, and truth.
Sometimes those words can seem intimidating or even irrelevant. But they are important words that ground us in really knowing and trusting God! Knowing God’s character will help us to really know and trust Him!
In this lesson, you will learn about the first five of those attributes. One or two scripture passages are included for each one, but the Bible is filled with many more descriptions of God’s character. You can easily use an on-line Bible reference such as Bible Gateway (www.biblegateway.com) to learn more about each attribute of God and deepen your understanding of who God is. As you consider each character quality, take time to think about each one and how that specific attribute shapes your view of God … and your relationship with Him.
God is Sovereign
The word “sovereign” refers to a supreme power having freedom from external control. When we refer to God as sovereign, we are saying that He alone has control of the universe. He is in charge of all things. He has complete authority to do whatever pleases Him. Nothing is out of His control. God is sovereign . . . He alone has control of the universe.
Consider these two verses from the Bible:
“The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom extends over everything.” —Psalm 103:19
“And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” —Romans 8:28
Q. What do these verses mean to you personally?
Q. What can we learn about trusting God’s sovereignty from these two passages?
Q. If I trust in God’s sovereignty, I will …
God is Eternal
We live in a time dimension. God does not. God has always existed … and He always will. When we join God in heaven, we will live forever with Him. He gives us eternal life! Being eternal, God is not bound by time. He lives in an everlasting “now,” without past or future. Having always existed, He sees the past and future as clearly as the present and simultaneously. With this perspective, He has infinite understanding as to what is best for us.
“The grass dries up, the flowers wither, but the decree of our God is forever reliable.” —Isaiah 40:8
“Your throne, O God, is permanent. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice.” —Psalm 45:6
Q. What do the two verses above tell us about God?
Q. If I believe that God is eternal, I will …
God is All-Knowing
God knows everything! He knows everything in the past. He knows everything that is going on in the universe now. And He knows everything that is going to happen in the future. God is never surprised!
Psalm 139 tells us a lot about God and how much he knows about each one of us! Read this passage and write down all of the phrases that are meaningful to you.
1 O Lord, you examine me and know.
2 You know when I sit down and when I get up; even from far away you understand my motives.
3 You carefully observe me when I travel or when I lie down to rest; you are aware of everything I do.
4 Certainly my tongue does not frame a word without you, O Lord, being thoroughly aware of it.
5 You squeeze me in from behind and in front; you place your hand on me.
6 Your knowledge is beyond my comprehension; it is so far beyond me, I am unable to fathom it.
7 Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee to escape your presence?
8 If I were to ascend to heaven, you would be there. If I were to sprawl out in Sheol, there you would be.
9 If I were to fly away on the wings of the dawn, and settle down on the other side of the sea.
10 Even there your hand would guide me, your right hand would grab hold of me.
11 If I were to say, “Certainly the darkness will cover me, and the light will turn to night all around me.
12 Even the darkness is not too dark for you to see, and the night is as bright as day; darkness and light are the same to you.”
13 Certainly you made my mind and heart; you wove me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I will give you thanks because your deeds are awesome and amazing. You knew me thoroughly;
15 my bones were not hidden from you, when I was made in secret and sewed together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw me when I was inside the womb. All the days ordained for me
were recorded in your scroll before one of them came into existence.
17 How difficult it is for me to fathom your thoughts about me, O God! How vast is their sum total!
18 If I tried to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. Even if I finished counting them, I would still have to contend with you.
19 If only you would kill the wicked, O God! Get away from me, you violent men!
20 They rebel against you and act deceitfully; your enemies lie.
21 O Lord, do I not hate those who hate you, and despise those who oppose you?
22 I absolutely hate them, they have become my enemies!”
23 Examine me, O God, and probe my thoughts! Test me, and know my concerns!
24 See if there is any idolatrous way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way!”
Q. Because I know that God is All-Knowing, I …
God is Present Everywhere
This universe is about thirty billion light years across … and contains at least ten trillion stars (more than all the grains of sand on earth!). Yet God is present on every star, and in every inch of space. It really is more than we can imagine! We cannot hide from Him or act without His knowledge. God is always with us!
“Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee to escape your presence? If I were to ascend to heaven, you would be there. If I were to sprawl out in Sheol, there you would be.” —Psalm 139:7–8
Q. What does this tell you about God’s presence?
Q. When I know that God is Present Everywhere, I …
Several great resources for learning more about God’s character include: God: Discover His Character by Dr. Bill Bright and The Knowledge of the Holy by A. W. Tozer.
Application
Q. Of the five attributes listed in this study, which one is most real to you?
Q. Which one gives you the most comfort?
Q. Which one is most confusing?
Q. Which one do you want to learn more about?
Read and pray David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles 29:11–13: “O Lord, you are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You, Lord, have dominion and exalt yourself as the ruler of all. You are the source of wealth and honor; you rule over all. You possess strength and might to magnify and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your majestic name!”