Tuesday, August 20, 2024
The Attributes of Our Great God
In Psalm 145 one of the reasons that David gives for celebrating the greatness of God is that His attributes demonstrate His greatness. God is great and we see His greatness in so many ways. The attributes of God are the character traits of God that He has revealed to us through the Bible. They tell us what God is like. When we have a relationship with Him we can know Him and see His greatness all around us.
David begins with God’s attributes in verse 8 and 9 when He says The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in faithful love. The Lord is good to everyone; his compassion rests on all he has made. The compassion God has for His creation is beyond more than we could ever comprehend. He loves us with a tender love and mercy and doesn’t turn His back on us when we make a mistake. He is gracious with us and His goodness is for everyone.
In verses 10-13a he highlights the greatness of God as King. All you have made will thank you, Lord; the faithful will bless you. They will speak of the glory of your kingdom and will declare your might, informing all people of your mighty acts and of the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; your rule is for all generations. God’s Kingdom will reign forever, and His great and mighty acts of splendor is for all generations in all times. His greatness spans forever.
David speaks of the greatness of God as provider in verses 13b – 20:
The Lord is faithful in all his words and gracious in all his actions.
He Lord helps all who fall;
He raises up all who are oppressed.
All eyes look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all his acts.
The Lord is near all who call out to him, all who call out to him with integrity.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
He hears their cry for help and saves them.
The Lord guards all those who love him, but he destroys all the wicked.
He provides for us in so many ways - even ways we don’t even realize sometimes. He provides help for the helpless. He provides food for His whole creation. He provides answers to those who pray. He provides protection for those who belong to Him.
God is faithful and trustworthy, and we can lean into Him. He never changes even when our world is changing all the time. We can find peace, comfort, and strength in knowing that we have a God that we can always count on. He is always worthy of our praise in every circumstance, in every season. Every day.
How has God proven Himself to be your compassionate, providing King? How have you praised Him because of this? How will you pass on the story of the greatness of our God to those around you?
