Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

Spirit

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)

Infinite

“Can you fathom the mysteries of God?
    Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? (Job 11:7)

Eternal

Before the mountains were born
    or you brought forth the whole world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (Psalm 90:2)

Unchangeable

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

In his being

God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14)

Wisdom

… to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16:27)

Power

Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
    his understanding has no limit. (Psalm 147:5)

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. (Genesis 17:1)

Holiness

Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:
“‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’
who was, and is, and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8)

Justice

He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
    and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
    upright and just is he. (Deuteronomy 32:4)

Goodness

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100:5)

Truth

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:6-7)

For great is his love toward us,
    and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord. (Psalm 117:2)

Shorter Catechism Bible References

Q. 4. Spirit John 4:24. In His being Ps. 90:2; Mal. 3:6; James 1:17; I Kings 8:27; Jer. 23:24; Isa. 40:22. Wisdom Ps. 147:5; Rom. 16:27. Power Gen. 17:1; Rev. 19:16. Holiness Isa. 57:15; John 17:11; Rev. 4:8. Justice Deut. 32:4. Goodness Ps. 100:5; Rom. 2:4. Truth Exod. 34:6; Ps. 117:2

Larger Catechism Bible References

Q. 6. God is John 4:24; Exod. 34:6, 7. Persons Matt. 28:19; II Cor. 13:14. Decrees Eph. 1:11. See the context. Execution of Decrees Acts 4:27, 28; Isa. 42:9.
Q. 7. Spirit John 4:24. In being I Kings 8:27; Isa. 40:20. Perfection See General Note. All-sufficient Acts 17:24, 25. Eternal Ps. 90:2. Unchangeable Mal. 3:6; James 1:17. Incomprehensible Rom. 11:33. Everywhere present Jer. 23:24; Ps. 139. almighty Rev. 4:8. Knowing all things Heb. 4:13; Ps. 147:5. Most Wise Rom. 16:27. Most Holy Isa. 6:3; Rev. 15:4. Most Just Deut. 32:4. Truth Exod. 34:6

“Q. 4. What is God?
“A. God is a Spirit (John 4:24), infinite (Job 11:7), eternal (Ps. 90:2; 1 Tim. 1:17), and unchangeable (Jas. 1:17), in his being (Exod. 3:14), wisdom, power (Ps. 147:5), holiness (Rev. 4:8), justice, goodness, and truth (Exod. 34:6-7).”

• Charles H. Spurgeon, Spurgeon’s Catechism

“Q. 4. What is God?
“A. God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.”

• The Shorter Catechism (Westminster Assembly)

“Q. 6. What do the Scriptures make known of God?
“A. The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, his decrees, and the execution of his decrees.
“Q. 7. What is God?
“A. God is a Spirit, in and of himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty; knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.”

• The Larger Catechism (Westminster Assembly)

Question 4 is the same in the Spurgeon and Shorter Catechisms.  The Larger Catechism has two questions (6 and 7), and the answer to question 7 is worded differently.

This question(s) could be a series, and several people have posted series on the attributes of God.  A. W. Tozer wrote two books on the subject.  I gave one or two Bible References for each noted point, but we could go beyond the lists of Bible verses from the Westminster catechisms.

I guess one of the important attributes is only found in the Larger Catechism, incomprehensibility.  We can never place God in a box and say that we have Him figured out.  But since we will be spending eternity with Him, I hope to learn as much as I can before I arrive at my permanent home.  But it is like you figure one little thing out and that opened door leads to another room full of doors that need opening.

The key that we each must ponder is that God is sufficient.  That sounds small compared to all knowing, eternal, most wise, most holy, and most just.  But think about it.  Let’s suppose that we do not go to God in prayer because He is out creating more galaxies.  No, He loves us, and His love is sufficient to meet our needs.  Let’s say that we think our problems seem insurmountable.  God is sufficient.  What if we are too weak to stand up to the latest battle in our lives?  God is sufficient.  And while He is being sufficient for you, He is being sufficient for each person who loves Him.  After all, for those who love the Lord, all things work toward their good.

1 Now the light has gone away;
Father, listen while I pray,
Asking Thee to watch and keep
And to send me quiet sleep.
2 Jesus, Savior, wash away
All that has been wrong today.
Help me ev’ry day to be
Good and gentle, more like Thee.
3 Let my near and dear ones be
Always near and dear to Thee;
Oh, bring me and all I love
To Thy happy home above.
4 Now my evening praise I give;
Thou didst die that I might live.
All my blessings come from Thee;
Oh, how good Thou art to me!
5 Thou, my best and kindest Friend,
Thou wilt love me to the end.
Let me love Thee more and more
Always better than before.
Amen.

• Frances R. Havergal, Now the Light Has Gone Away

Closing Prayer

Dear Lord,
You are an awesome God.  We cannot comprehend Your attributes, but the more we see of Your power, Your presence in our lives, Your wisdom, Your justice …  All that stuff.  We want more of it.  Help us to stay focused so that we can become closer to You.  And to think, You know me so well that You count every hair on my head.  I cannot even do that.  Thank You for caring about me that much.
Amen

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.