Gods Love.
Over time, we have seen God introduce himself to us in different ways.
God’s names, as we would call it are written all over his word.
In Exodus 3:14–15,
Moses asks God, Who should I say you are?
14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.[c] This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
15 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’
“This is my name forever,
the name you shall call me
from generation to generation.
1) I am the God of Abraham, the God Who Directs the Invincible:
Abraham was a man of faith, and he lived by faith.
According to the Book of Hebrews 11:6, And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Abraham’s unwavering faith, obedience, and righteousness weren’t merely personal qualities; they were a response to God’s initiating a covenant with him. This covenant, built on God’s promises and Abraham’s trust, reveals God’s active interest in humanity. Through Abraham, God established a path for people to connect with Him through faith, ultimately leading to the blessing of all nations through Jesus Christ. Abraham’s story thus serves as a model for us, demonstrating how our own faith and obedience reflect God’s love and purpose for His people.
God shows his inviscibilty with the following qualities as shown by Abraham
1. Covenant and Promise:
God initiates a covenant with Abraham, a binding agreement that sets him apart (Genesis 12:1-3). This wasn’t something Abraham earned; it was God’s choice.
Through the covenant, God promises to bless Abraham and his descendants, ultimately leading to a nation through whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3). This promise signifies God’s desire for a relationship with humanity, not just Abraham.
2. Faith as a Bridge:
Abraham’s response of faith demonstrates the path humans can take to connect with God. We can’t earn God’s favor through our own efforts, but by trusting in Him, we open ourselves to His blessings.
3. Testing and Transformation:
God tests Abraham’s faith through challenging commands, like leaving his homeland and, ultimately, the near sacrifice of Isaac. These tests showcase the depth of Abraham’s commitment and how God uses challenges to refine our character and strengthen our reliance on Him.
4. Blessings for All:
The ultimate purpose of the covenant with Abraham wasn’t just for his personal benefit. It was the foundation for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would bring salvation to all who believe (Galatians 3:16–18). Through Abraham’s faithfulness, God extends His love and plan of redemption to all of humanity.
5. A Model for Us:
Abraham’s story serves as a model for Christians. Just as he trusted God’s promises and obeyed His commands, we too can live by faith, trusting in God’s love and following His will for our lives. In essence, Abraham’s life demonstrates that God is actively seeking a relationship with His creation. He takes the initiative, offers promises of blessings, and rewards those who trust him. While Abraham’s actions show his dedication, they ultimately reveal God’s immense interest in humanity
2) I am the God of Isaac: God who directs the impossible:
Isaac is in himself a result of the impossible: Abraham, his father, bore him in old age.
We, however, also get to see God directing Isaac’s steps.
In Genesis 26:
12 Isaac planted crops in that land, and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him. 13 The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy.
There was a famine in the land and God directed Isaac on what to do, in the midst of the famine, he planted and reaped hundred folds of what he had planted.
God makes a way even where there is no way..
3) God of Jacob: God who deals with the imperfect.
The Bible portrays Jacob as a complex character with both strengths and weaknesses. Here are some of his most notable faults:
Deceitfulness: Jacob is known for his tendency to deceive. Most famously, he impersonates his hairy brother Esau to steal his birthright and blessing (Genesis 27). He also uses cunning tactics to benefit himself when dealing with his father-in-law, Laban (Genesis 31).
Favoritism: Jacob shows favoritism towards his wife Rachel and their children, particularly Joseph, which creates jealousy and conflict within his family (Genesis 37).
Manipulation: Jacob can be manipulative, using strategies and schemes to get what he wants. This is evident in his dealings with Esau and Laban.
Fleeing Responsibility: When faced with the consequences of his actions, such as Esau’s anger, Jacob tends to flee rather than confront the situation (Genesis 27:35–40).
These faults have consequences throughout Jacob’s life. He experiences years of separation from his family, distrust from his wives, and struggles within his own household.
However, the Bible also shows Jacob’s growth. He wrestles with God (Genesis 32) and is renamed Israel, signifying a change and a new beginning. He eventually reconciles with Esau and demonstrates moments of compassion and care for his family
In all the faults of Jacob, he wrestles with God. God dealt with his imperfection, and he became who God had called him to be.
Sin and separation from God:
Romans 3:23: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (NIV)
Here are some other verses that express similar ideas:
Ecclesiastes 7:20: “Indeed, there is no one on earth who is always righteous, never sinning” (NIV)
Isaiah 59:2: “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you so that he will not hear” (NIV)
Psalm 51:5: “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the moment my mother conceived me” (NIV)
God is interested in his people:
John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (NIV) – This famous verse encapsulates the immense love of God that led Him to sacrifice His Son, Jesus Christ, for humanity’s salvation.
Matthew 18:12–14: “‘What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I tell you, he rejoices more over the one lost sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so, it is not the will of your Father, who is in heaven, that should perish one of these little ones.'” (NIV) – This parable illustrates God’s concern for each individual, even those who have strayed.
Romans 8:38–39: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NIV) – This passage offers assurance of God’s unwavering love for His people. Not perish, but have eternal life.” (NIV)
Genesis 18:20–21: “Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so serious that I will go down and see if what they are doing is as bad as I have heard. If it is, I will know.” (NIV) – God investigates the cries of the people.
Exodus 3:7-8: “The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their taskmasters, and I am aware of their sufferings. I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a land good and spacious, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.” (NIV) – God sees and hears the suffering of His people.
Deuteronomy 31:8: “The Lord himself will go before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (NIV) – God promises constant presence and support.
Psalm 103:13–14: “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” (NIV) – God’s love is compared to a father’s compassion.
Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (NIV) – God offers encouragement and strength.
Jeremiah 29:13: “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (NIV) – God promises to be found by those who seek Him.
Ezekiel 34:11–12: “For this is what the sovereign Lord Jehovah says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with his sheep, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.” (NIV) – God actively seeks His lost sheep.
Matthew 6:25-26: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (NIV) – God cares for even our basic needs.
Matthew 10:29–31: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (NIV) – God’s care extends to the details of our lives.
Luke 15:3–7 (Parable of the Lost Sheep): “‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he carries it back rejoicing on his shoulders. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.’” (NIV) – God rejoices in our return to Him.
John 10:14–15 (The Good Shepherd): ““I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them.” (NIV) – Jesus portrays Himself as a loving shepherd who cares for His flock.
Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (NIV) – God’s greatest expression of love is the sacrifice of his only son.
Romans 8:28
New International Version
28 And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Prayer:
Lord, I am a sinner. Many times, I have failed to have complete faith and to see you for who you are.
Direct my steps, come into my heart, and I receive you as my Lord and Savior.
Next steps:
New steps: Join a Bible-believing church and start your journey of discipleship.
Next steps: Give your life daily to God through his son, Jesus Christ.
