God is Omnisapient (all-wise)

Another good definition of wisdom is "that perfection of God whereby he applies His knowledge to the attainment of His ends in a way which glorifies Him most." (Louis Berkhof).

Once again we see that God is not like humans. Humans can be knowledgeable but not very wise and they can be wise but not very knowledgeable. God is both, fully and completely. All knowing and all wise.

The awesome news for us is that the goals of God for his glory also includes our good. (Rom. 8:28). We can be sure that God's decisions which will accomplish ends that bring him most glory are also decisions that are in his creatures best interests.

There are no passages that say, "God is all-wise", but there are plenty that talk about the wisdom of God (e.g. Jude 25, Rom. 16:27, 1 Tim. 1:17, Job 9:4).

The wisdom of God when looked at with his omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence is wonderful news that shows a great BIG God who knows all things, is everywhere at once, has the power do all that he pleases, and has the wisdom to bring about his perfect goals in the perfect ways.

Lastly, it is encouraging that not only is God all wise, but he also is willing to to share his wisdom with us that we may be wise (Proverbs 2:6-7, James 1:5). For all matters pertaining to life and godliness (which is everything) through his divine power and the knowledge of him through His word we can handle any situation and problem (2 Peter 1:3).

God is Faithful

Isaiah 28:16 says, "Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed."

"The point here is that if you trust Christ, God's corner stone, you will not be disappointed. This stone will not prove faulty. If you build your life on this stone, your life will not crumble in the storm. If you hide behind this stone, you will be safe. If you stand on the truth of this stone, you will not be ashamed. If you join with others in the spiritual house built on this stone, you will be proud of your foundation and your fellowship will stand. 'Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed.'" (John Piper)

God is faithful. He can be trusted without hesitation. When he says "Follow me" we can leave our lives and follow him without restraint.

Isaiah 26:3, "You (God) will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you."

Keep in mind, when thinking about God's faithfulness, His immutability. Like all of God's attributes together these are related. If God is unchanging then it follows that he could not be unfaithful because that would require him to change. God is always worthy of our trust. He never lies. His promises always come to fruition.

Once again remember that God is not like us. He is not human.

"Men become unfaithful out of desire, fear, weakness, loss of interest, or because of some strong influence from without. Obviously none of these forces can affect God in any way. He is His own reason for all He is and does. He cannot be compelled from without, but ever speaks and acts from within Himself by His own sovereign will as it pleases Him." Tozer

Our hope rests solely on God's being faithful. Peace and rest come from trusting God and believing that what he says about himself and about our world is true. If we stop and questions God's faithfulness we open up ourselves to the opportunity of being led away from God and His word down a path of believing lies about who God is and who we are.

Trust that God is faithful. Spend some time this week looking at all the ways God was faithful to His people in the Old and New Testament. And this is easy because anytime God acts he is acting in faithfulness. Why? Because contrary to humans "faithful" does not describe his actions alone, but describes his nature.

Rejoice and take heart, God is faithful.

Grace

In Him we have the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7.

Any personal righteousness that we have is like "filthy rags" to God. If we try to bank on our own righteousness or good works all we will earn is hell. We cannot earn God's mercy or eternal salvation through our own works or righteousness and if we try then all we do is deny and devalue the way of forgiveness in the cross of Christ. All we have is God's grace.

Jerry Bridges in his book "The Great Exchange" says this,

"There is only one condition to warrant our salvation and it is designated by the two little words "in him." These words have great weight and consequence because they assign us to a new representative, one that perfectly redeems sinners through his own...blood.

All of this - our redemption, our forgivenss, and the blood of Christ through which it is provided - is bestowed on us 'according to the riches of his grace which he lavished upon us with all wisdom and insight.'

From the beginning to end, it is grace -God's blessings in Christ to those who deserve his curse- by which we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9). This grace is copious, bountiful, and abundant. It is never lacking. It never wanes. It is freely provided in the new covenant, sealed forever in blood by the God who cannot lie."

What amazing grace. God's glory is displayed in his grace. Our response to this indescribable grace should always be praise and worship to the almighty God.

God is Patient

Note from Justin: Check your e-mail for this Sunday's attribute study. My apologies for failing to get it into your hands this past Sunday. If you do not get it just give me a call at the church.

"And now, please let the power of the Lord be great as you have promised, saying, 'The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.'" Numbers 14:17-18.

A.W. Pink (Attributes of God)-
How wondrous is God's patience with the world today. On every side people are sinning with a high hand. The Divine law is trampled under foot and God himself openly despised. It is truly amazing that he does not instantly strike dead those who so brazenly defy him. Why does he not suddenly cut off the haughty infidel and blatant blasphemer, as he did Ananias and Sapphira? Why does he not cause the earth to open its mouth and devour the persecutors of his people, so that, like Dathan and Abiram, they shall go down alive into the Pit? And what of apostate Christendom, where every possible form of sin is now tolerated and practiced under the cover of the holy name of Christ? Why does not the righteous wrath of heaven make an end of such abominations? Only one answer is possible: because God bears with 'much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction.'

And what of the writer and the reader? Let us review our own lives. It is not long since we followed a multitude to do evil, had not concern for God's glory, and lived only to gratify self. How patiently he bore with our vile conduct. And now that grace has snatched us as brands from the burning, giving us a place in God's family, and has begotten us unto an eternal inheritance in glory, how miserabley we requite him. How shallow our gratitude, how tardy our obedience, how frequent our backslidings! One reason why God suffers the flesh to remain in the believer is that he may exhibit his 'long-suffering to usward' (2 Peter 3:9).

Since this Divine attribute is manifested only in this world, God takes advantage to display it toward 'his own'"

I pray your meditation on God's patience will cause you to overflow with thanksgiving, be quick to obey, and willing to be patient toward others. God give us much grace so that we may be patient as you are patient.