What Do We Think About God?

Passage

"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7

Pondering

Practically, our view of God, consciously or otherwise, affects every thought and action we perform, since it functions as the central premise of our world view. If we do not believe in a god but that we evolved from apes then we will think and act like an evolved ape! If we believe in a god of war then we will become a warring people (e.g. The Vikings). Therefore, it is vital that we grasp from His special revelation of Himself (the Bible) what He really is like so that we can then become like Him.

We become like what we worship. Some people have got it backwards. They worship their dog and start to look and act like it! Let’s turn things around (turn DOG backwards you get GOD) and worship the true and living God to become more like Him. As Daniel says, "Those who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits" (Dan 11:32). If we know God as He really is (strong and mighty), we shall become like Him!

What image of God do you have? An angry old man up in the sky, uninvolved in our affairs except when he throws a few thunder bolts in judgment? A harmless, jovial, "buddy" who always pats you on the back and gives you what you want?
Often our image of God is shaped by our own Father’s relationship with us. If he was overly strict and distant then we can project that image onto God Himself and relate to Him in that way, feeling that He cannot be known intimately and speaks to us only to condemn us. If our Father was too permissive and let us do what we wanted, we will see God as too laid back, one who fails to correct us, and one who is indifferent to our sin.

Let us be like Daniel, one who really knows his God. We only know God by spending time with Him and letting Him reveal more of Himself to us. Today, determine in your heart to draw near to God that He will draw near to you, showing who He really is.

Poem

What image of God fills your mind?
An angry old man or one who is too kind?
Turn to Him and let Him reveal His reality,
As You seek Him on your knees, simply let Him be.

Prayer

"Father, strip me of all wrong images I have of You. Show me who you truly are that I may worship and serve You in spirit and truth. Lord I want to draw nearer and nearer to You so You will draw nearer and nearer to me and I'll become more and more like You. Amen."