God’s Character: Unlimited Power, Unyielding Love
I love that the very first chapter of the Bible shows two main facets of God’s character right away: unlimited power and unyielding love. We see these characteristics portrayed through two different phrases that repeat throughout Genesis 1. Now, let’s take a closer look at these phrases and the characteristics they represent.
“And it was so.”
We see this phrase six times throughout The Creation in Genesis 1 – each time God commands something into existence (Gen 1: 7, 9, 11, 15, 24, 30).
God is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. He is all-knowing, ever-present, and has unlimited power. God is the ultimate ruler of the universe. Everything in it gives way and submits to His commands. There is no other power that has the authority of God. He simply spoke the world into existence – and it was so!
“And God saw that it was good.”
We see variations of this phrase seven times in the first chapter of Genesis (Gen 1: 4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31).
My favorite of these is the last one – when God created humans. After He creates mankind in His image and blesses them, the Bible doesn’t just say “it was good”. Nope. This time, it says, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” (Gen. 1:31, emphasis added).
God’s character is innately good. I smile at the thought of God handcrafting the world and Him delighting in His glorious handiwork. When we take time to marvel at God’s Creation we can see it’s true – it really is good! We see God’s unyielding love in the way he lovingly crafted the world, as well as everything and everyone in it!
So, what is the big takeaway here?
Well, firstly, I think it’s pretty amazing when you think about God’s characteristics and how power and love often seem to contradict each other here on Earth. Worldly leaders often let power go to their heads, inflate their egos, and corrupt their hearts. However, our God not only has unending power beyond anything in this world, but His love for us also knows no bounds!
The next time you find yourself in a hard season of life – whether you’re in a period of waiting, are struggling, sick, hurting, or depressed – remember that the Creator of the universe also created you and cares for you deeply! Nothing is impossible for Him who can speak stars, and planets, and mountains into existence. So know that you can take anything you’re facing to our almighty and ever-loving God.
Heavenly Father, thank you so much for your unwavering character – for your unlimited power and your unyielding love. Thank you for loving me enough to create me in Your own image. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. You know my inmost being, every thought I’ve ever had, every dream, and every heartbreak. You alone have authority over my life. Please help me to turn away from my sins and submit to You so that Your Will may be done. And please help me to overcome the struggles I am currently facing, Lord. I know that I can’t do this on my own, but with You anything is possible!
Photo Credit: Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash
