The question is: “Who is God?” Perhaps the foundation of all questions. A basic, yet critical inquiry that echos through the hearts of generations. Has this question lurked in your mind or passed your lips? A solid answer exists. A disclosure not coming from man’s understanding, perspective or experience. But straight from God. His self-proclamation. You want to know who God is? He proclaims in Exodus 34:5-7, “This is who I am.”

 “Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him (Moses) and proclaimed his name, the Lord. 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 fathers to the third and fourth generation’.”

Let’s break God’s self-revelation down into bite-size pieces. Bite-size, yet mind-blowing in the power of their truth. God is love, and He demonstrates His love through these characteristics of His nature:

1. Compassionate and gracious. God carries deep sympathy and sorrow for our hards and a strong desire to alleviate our suffering. With generosity He bestows favor and blessing to us.

2. Slow to anger. He exhibits long-suffering patience for our short-comings and waywardness.

3. Abounding in love and faithfulness. God’s unfailing love is remarkable and abundant; a greater love cannot be found. We can depend on Him because His commitment to us stands true and forever.

4. Maintaining love to thousands. He protects, guards and keeps His covenant of love with those who love and obey Him. (Nehemiah 1:5)

5. Forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. If we will confess our sin and turn from our rebellion against God, He will forgive us. And not just forgive, but cleanse and purify us. (I John 1:9)

6. Does not leave the guilty unpunished. God stands holy and just. Therefore, He cannot tolerate blatant, willful, rebellion and sin. There will be punishment for those who choose to reject this loving God and live their lives in rebellion against Him. The final phrase about punishing to the third and fourth generation can make us cringe. Yet, are we not aware of sins that, without the redeeming power of God, will plague a family, or nation, from generation to generation? Also, God seldom removes the consequences of sin, which can affect the lives of the family, including children and grandchildren.

So, how does knowledge of who God is become personal and real to us? When we let Him in. This loving, glorious God does not watch from a distance when we go through our hard. But He enters into each experience with us. Present in every moment. There His essence washes over us, covering us with compassionate grace; with unfailing, lavish love.

Anyone walking through difficulty and suffering, with their hand in His, attests to the experience of being covered with His love. Of being exposed to and bathed in the various manifestations of His glory: mercy, grace, compassion, faithfulness, forgiveness, and justice.

Since God has opened and unveiled Himself with clarity, let us not miss the opportunity to open and avail ourselves to Him. Expressing our desire for a fuller understanding of Him; our longing to discover more of Him. An openness to a deeper revelation within our heart of this magnificent, powerful God. Who inexplicably loves us with titanic abandon and invites us into an intimate relationship, where we can walk into His throne room, calling out with joy, “Abba Father. Daddy. Papa.” Then sit in His presence, cherished, as He shares all of our secrets and concerns, pain and happiness. What an inexpressible gift. 

And, my friend, if you are walking through a hard, don’t go it alone. Reach your hand out to His. Confess your aching need for Him. He will meet you right where you are in the mess and muck of the hards, that life so dependably doles out. He will never leave you, carrying you through to the end.