Understanding God

The next step on our journey toward overcoming AWDF is to make sure we have a correct understanding of God, including His nature, power, presence, might, intelligence (wisdom), love, majesty, holiness, and so on. This understanding is essential in defeating AWDF, and it also helps you to “stand firm” (1Co 16:13) in your faith when faced with difficult situations and circumstances. This isn’t a topic that gets a lot of attention in Christian literature, but serious contemplation and meditation on the nature of God can help build and maintain a strong faith!

IS ANYTHING TOO DIFFICULT FOR THE LORD?

When we have AWDF, we are essentially thinking (or unconsciously implying) that God:

• Doesn’t hear us,
• Doesn’t care about us,
• Doesn’t know what we are dealing with,
• Doesn’t know what we need,
• Isn’t aware of all things at all times, and/or
• Can’t handle what is happening to us or around us.1

And when we think this way, the truth is that we are making God small! I’m sure that is not the intention; however, there is still no escaping that conclusion.

But our God is a BIG God (Mat 19:26; Mar 10:27; Luk 1:37; 18:27; cf. Joh 10:28–30; Rom 8:31–39; 14:11; 1Co 15:27–28; 2Co 12:10; Eph 1:20–21; 3:20; 6:10; Php 2:10; 3:21; 4:13; Heb 2:8; 1Pe 3:22; 4:11; 1Jn 4:4; Rev 1:8; 22:13; Gen 18:14; Jos 1:9; 2Ki 6:15–17; 2Ch 20:15; Neh 8:10; Job 42:2; Psa 18:1–2; 23:4–6; 27:1–3; 28:7–8; 46:1–3; 56:4, 11; 84:11–12; 89:13; 91:1–16; 93:1; 95:3; 97:9; 118:6; Pro 21:31; Isa 40:28–29; 50:7–9; 54:17; Jer 1:19; 32:17, 27). He is the One who simply spoke (see Gen 1:3, 6, 9, 11; Psa 33:6, 9; 50:1; cf. Heb 1:2–3; 11:3; Isa 55:11; Psa 68:33), and this entire universe and all living things came into existence (Gen 1–2; Act 17:24–25; Joh 1:3–4; Col 1:16; Heb 1:3; Rev 4:11; Job 33:4–6; Psa 100:3; 139:14–15; Isa 64:8; Jer 10:12; 32:17; Job 36:1–4; cf. 1Co 15:45).

Imagine the power in such words! Yes, He is awesome in:

• “Might” (see Gen 17:1; 35:11; 43:14; 48:3; 49:25; Exo 6:3; Num 24:4; Psa 24:8; 50:1; 66:7; 89:8, 13; 93:4; 106:2; 132:2–5; 145:4, 12; 150:1–2; Isa 9:6; 10:21; 40:26; Jer 10:6; 32:18; Neh 9:32; Deu 10:17; Job 26:14; 2Co 6:18; Eph 1:19; 1Pe 5:6; Rev 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7, 14, 18; 19:6, 15; 21:22; Psa 147:5; 2Th 1:7; Rev 18:8), and
• “Power” (see Exo 15:6; Psa 21:13; 29:4; 54:1; 59:11; 62:11; 63:2; 66:3; 68:35; 77:15; 78:26, 42; 79:11; 80:2; 106:8; 111:6; 145:6, 11; 1Ch 29:11; Jer 10:12; 32:17; Dan 2:20; Nah 1:3; Rom 1:16; 1Co 1:24; 2Co 4:7; Eph 3:19–20; Rev 11:17; Gen 18:14; Mat 19:26; Mar 10:27; Luk 1:37; 18:27; 2Co 10:4; 2Ti 1:7; Psa 147:5; 18:2; 27:1; 61:3–4; 91:2; 144:2; Pro 8:14; 18:10; Isa 40:26–29; Jer 32:27; Job 26:14; Dan 4:35; Rev 10:1).

Therefore, always remember in whom you have placed your faith and trust:

• The “living and true God” (1Th 1:9; Joh 14:6; 17:3; 1Ti 1:17; Jer 10:10; 1Jn 5:20; Deu 4:35),
• “The Most High” God (Mar 5:7; Luk 8:28; Act 16:17; Heb 7:1; Psa 78:35, 56; Dan 3:26; 4:2; 5:18, 21; cf. Gen 14:18–22; 2Sa 22:14; Luk 1:32–35, 76; 6:35; Act 7:48; Deu 32:8; 2Sa 22:14; Psa 7:17; 9:2; 18:13; 46:4; 57:2; 97:9);
• “The Almighty” God (see 2Co 6:18; Rev 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7, 14; 19:6, 15; 21:22; Gen 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; 49:25; Job 8:5; 21:15; Psa 68:14; 91:1);
• The Creator of all things on earth and in the heavens, whose very words give life (Gen 1:1–3; Col 1:16; Joh 1:3, 10; Rev 4:11; Psa 96:5; 115:15; 146:5–6; Job 38:1–42:6);
• He who now upholds every single particle, atom, molecule, planet, star, galaxy, and living creature in this entire universe simply “by the word of His power” (Heb 1:3; cf. Psa 75:3; Joh 1:4; Col 1:17; Rev 4:11);
• The “Lord God of hosts” (see 2Sa 5:10; Psa 59:5; 80:19; 89:8; Isa 1:24; 3:1, 15; 10:24; Amo 9:5; cf. 1Sa 1:3, 11; 4:4; 2Sa 5:10; Psa 24:10; 46:7; 48:8; 84:1–3; Isa 1:9; 5:7; 44:6; Jer 31:35; Mal 4:1);
• He who is “Holy, Holy, Holy” (Rev 4:8; cf. Isa 6:3; 1Pe 1:16; Lev 19:2; Act 7:33; Psa 11:4; 29:2; 103:1);2
• He who rules and reigns supreme over all matters (Rom 8:28–39; 1Co 15:25–28; Mat 11:27; 26:64; 28:18; Joh 3:35; 13:3; Eph 1:30; Php 2:9–11; 2Ti 2:13; Heb 1:3–4, 13; 2:8; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1Pe 3:22; Rev 1:18; Luk 22:69; Col 3:1; Act 7:55; Psa 8:6);
• He who never lies (Tit 1:2; Num 23:19; Heb 6:18; Rom 3:4; Jas 1:17);
• He who doesn’t change His mind (Heb 13:8; Jas 1:17; cf. 2Ti 2:13);
• He who doesn’t fail on His promises (Isa 40:8; 45:23; 55:11; Num 23:19; Psa 89:34; 119:89–91; Mat 5:18; 24:35; Joh 10:35; Pro 30:5; 1Pe 1:23–25; Hab 2:3; Luk 16:17; 21:33; Lam 2:17; 1Th 2:13; 2Ti 2:13; Rom 11:29; cf. 2Pe 1:20–21; 2Ti 3:16–17; Heb 4:12);
• He who is eternal—having no beginning or end (Joh 1:1–2; 8:58; 17:5; Rev 1:8, 17–18; 2:8; 21:6; 22:13; Heb 1:10–12; 13:8; 1Pe 1:20; Exo 3:13–14; Col 1:17; Isa 9:6; 43:13; Psa 90:2; Pro 8:22–30; Mic 5:2);
• He who is omniscient—all-knowing regarding the past, present, and future (Mat 6:8; 10:29–31; Luk 12:6–7, 30; 1Pe 3:12; Heb 4:12–13; 1Jn 3:20; Gen 16:13; 2Ch 16:9; Job 31:4; 34:21; Psa 11:4; 33:13–15; 34:15; 56:8; 66:7; 94:9–11; 139:1–4, 7–12, 15–16; 147:5; Pro 5:21; 15:3; Isa 46:10; Jer 23:24; 29:11; cf. 1Co 4:5; Rev 2:23; 20:11–12);
• He who is omnipresent—everywhere present all at once (2Ch 16:9; Job 34:21; Psa 34:15; Pro 5:21; 15:3; Jer 16:17; 32:19; Zec 4:10; Heb 4:13; 1Pe 3:12); and
• He who is omnipotent—all-powerful (Dan 4:35; Isa 43:13; 14:27; Gen 18:14; Job 42:1–2; Luk 1:37; Act 26:8; Jer 32:27; 1Co 15:22–28; Rev 19:20; 20:10–15; 21:1–8; Rom 14:11; Php 2:10; Mat 19:26; Mar 10:27; Luk 1:37; 18:27).

When you cannot take even one more step or when you see anxiety, worry, doubt, and fear starting to rise up in you, cry out to God for His strength (Php 4:13; 2Co 12:10). He will lead you forward one day at a time to salvation (Php 3:12, 14; Heb 6:1). His strength is perfect.3 His will is perfect. He gave His life for you, and then He conquered death itself. So let us not make God smaller to fit our thoughts, opinions, and beliefs of what we think He can or can’t do (Mat 19:26; Mar 10:27; Luk 1:37; 18:27).

GOD KNOWS AND SEES ALL THINGS

Because God is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent, nothing ever surprises Him or catches Him off guard (1Jn 3:20; Psa 147:5; 139:4; Heb 4:13; Jer 29:11; Mat 10:30; cf. Joh 2:24–25; Pro 5:21; 15:3; Psa 11:4). He quite literally knows and sees all things—from the big picture all the way down to the smallest details—even when we cannot.

Because God is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent, nothing ever surprises Him or catches Him off guard (1Jn 3:20; Psa 147:5; 139:4; Heb 4:13; Jer 29:11; Mat 10:30; cf. Joh 2:24–25; Pro 5:21; 15:3; Psa 11:4). He quite literally knows and sees all things—from the big picture all the way down to the smallest details—even when we cannot, for:

• There is nothing He cannot handle (Gen 18:14; Jer 32:27),
• Nothing overwhelms Him (1Jn 4:4),
• He doesn’t change His mind (Heb 13:8; Jas 1:17),
• He doesn’t lie (Tit 1:2; Num 23:19; Heb 6:18; Rom 3:4; Jas 1:17),
• He doesn’t break His promises (2Ti 2:11–13),
• “He hears you” when you cry out to Him in prayer (see Joh 9:31; 1Jn 5:14–15; Psa 34:17; 65:2; 116:1; 145:18–19; Pro 15:29; Heb 4:16; 7:25; 10:35; 1Jn 3:21; Mar 11:24–25; Eph 3:12; Jas 4:3; Php 4:6–7; Psa 17:6; Isa 30:19; Jer 29:12),
• He knows your voice and you will know His (Joh 10:27), and
• He knows everything about you4 (1Jn 3:20; Psa 147:5; 139:4; Heb 4:13; Jer 29:11; Mat 10:30), for “the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His” (2Ch 16:9; cf. Psa 34:15; Pro 5:21; 15:3; 1Pe 3:12; Heb 4:13; Job 28:24; 34:21; Jer 16:17; 23:34).

Furthermore, at this very instant, Jesus is ruling in His kingdom in heaven and on earth, being “seated at the right hand of God [the Father],” “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Col 3:1; Eph 1:20–21; cf. Mat 22:44; 26:64; Mar 12:36; 14:62; 16:19; Luk 20:42; 22:69; Rom 8:34; Eph 1:20–22; 4:10; Act 1:9; 2:34; 7:55–56; Col 3:1; Heb 1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1Pe 3:21–22; Psa 110:1; cff. Mat 28:18; Rom 14:11; Col 1:15–16; 2:10, 15; Php 2:9–11; Heb 2:8; 1Ti 6:15; Rev 1:5; 17:14; 19:15–16).

Therefore, nothing whatsoever happens to a Christian that He doesn’t fully know about and allow—ever. Thus, for a “child of God” (see Joh 1:12–13; 11:52; Act 17:29; Rom 8:14–16, 19, 21; 9:8; Php 2:15; 1Jn 3:1–2, 10; 5:2; Mat 5:9; 12:50; Luk 20:36; Gal 3:26; 4:1–7; 1Pe 1:13–16), there is no such thing as good or bad luck, fortune, or coincidence. Moreover, we see it written, “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28–39; cf. Mat 10:29–31; 1Pe 3:12; Gen 45:5; 50:20; 2Ch 16:9; Psa 34:15; 145:18; Pro 5:21; 15:3). This includes both your good and also the collective good of all those who love Him and call on His holy name (cf. Php 1:12–14). Yes, as Christians we are now under the direct and almighty care of Jesus!

I find Romans 8:28–29 to be some of the most powerful anxiety-busting verses in all of Scripture. So let us be always mindful of whom it is that we are “abiding in” and who is “abiding in us” (see 1Jn 4:12–13; cf. Joh 5:38; 6:56; 14:16–20, 23; 15:1–10; 17:21; 1Jn 2:6, 10, 14, 24, 27–28; 3:6, 9, 17, 24; 4:15–16; 2Jn 2, 9; Rom 8:9–11; 1Co 3:16; Gal 2:20; 2Ti 1:14). Let us learn to press into Jesus when we are feeling anxious, “for His yoke is easy and His burden is light” (see Mat 11:30). Call on His strength, not your own,6 and then move forward, standing firm in faith and taking all things to Him in prayer.

ABBA FATHER

Please take a moment to stop and reflect deeply on what this means: The eternal, all-powerful Creator of the entire universe—the Source of all life itself (Act 3:15; Joh 1:4; 4:10, 14; 10:28; 11:25–26; 14:6; 17:2; Rev 1:17–18; 22:1, 17)—wanted to “adopt” you as His son or daughter (Rom 8:15, 23; Gal 4:5; Eph 1:5) so that you can have eternal life with Him in heaven. And He wants that so much that He died for you in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ. Amazing and amen! That, brother or sister in Christ, should give you great comfort and remind you of how deeply valuable you are to Him.

Furthermore, let’s make a partial list of the promises God has made to you:

• He will never leave, forget, or forsake you (Heb 13:5);
• Nothing on, under, or above the earth can separate you from His love (Rom 8:37–39);
• When you are faithless, He is still faithful (2Ti 2:11–13);7
• He will provide for your needs (Mat 6:25–34; Eph 3:20; Joh 10:10);
• He is working all things for your good and the collective good of all believers (Rom 8:28–39; Php 1:12–14; Mat 10:29–31; 1Pe 3:12; Gen 45:5; 50:20; 2Ch 16:9; Psa 34:15; 145:18; Pro 5:21; 15:3);
• He will raise you up to eternal life on the last day (Joh 6:39–40, 44, 54; 1Co 15:50–57; 1Th 4:13–18);8
• You will live in heaven (described as “Paradise,” Luk 23:43) for eternity, where there is no more sin, corruption, disease, pain, suffering, tears, or death (Rev 21:1–22:21);
• He has fully and completely defeated sin, Satan, and death at the cross for us; “It is finished” (see Luk 10:18; Joh 12:31; 19:30; Heb 2:14; 1Jn 3:8; 2Ti 1:10; 1Co 15:24–26; Rev 1:18; 12:7–9; 20:14; 21:4);
• He will never lie to you (Tit 1:2; Num 23:19; Heb 6:18; Rom 3:4; Jas 1:17); and
• He will never change His mind about any of the promises He has made to you (Heb 1:12; 13:8; Jas 1:17; cf. Psa 103:17; Mal 3:6).

Yes, trials and tribulations will be part of this world (Joh 16:33; Rev 2:10; 7:14), but you can use them to strengthen your faith (Jas 1:2–4; Rom 5:3–4; 2Co 4:17–18; Act 5:41; Eph 3:13). So “fight the good fight of faith” one day at a time (2Ti 4:7–8). This is hard to do at times, yet we must! Remember that you are God’s, and He is yours (Joh 6:39–40). No mere schemes of man, nor evil powers, nor anything under, on, or above the earth or in the heavens is more powerful than He is (Rom 8:28–39; cf. 2Ti 2:13).

EXAMINE YOURSELF!

Lastly, be sure to read His Word daily (Mat 4:4; Psa 1:2); “put on the full armor of God” (see Eph 6:10–17),9 and draw strength from that protection. Pray for His wisdom to guide you (Jas 1:5) and for His peace to guard your heart (Php 4:6–7; cf. Joh 14:27; 2Th 3:16; 1Pe 5:6–7) so you can, as the psalmist says, “Cease striving [be still ESV] and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Look past the temporary trials and afflictions here in this world, and set your sights on being with Him in unspeakable glory, peace, and happiness in heaven (2Co 4:17–18), for you have come “out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1Pe 2:9; cf. Col 1:13; 1Th 5:4–5; Eph 5:8; 6:12; Rom 2:19; Act 26:18; Joh 1:5; 3:19–20; 8:12; Psa 107:10–11).

So let each of us continually test and examine ourselves as instructed to in Scripture (2Co 13:5)—deep down at the very core of our heart, mind, and soul (Mat 22:37; Mar 12:30; Luk 10:27)—regarding the following:

• Do you believe God is of unspeakable majesty, power, glory, intelligence (wisdom), love, and holiness?
• Do you believe He sees you and He sees every single thing that happens to you (and other Christians as well)?
• Do you believe all things work together for good for those who call on His name?
• Do you believe He will do every single thing He said He will do in Scripture?11

Your answers to those questions will greatly determine how you handle AWDF in your life from here on out.12

CHAPTER PRAYER

Most holy and heavenly Father, Creator of all things in heaven and on earth, I desire to know You better and to fully understand the depth, breadth, and width of Your love for me. Help me to study and meditate on Your Holy Word and to appreciate the awesomeness of Your power, presence, might, and strength. Help me to deeply understand that You know all things at all times, that You know everything that happens to me—now and in the future—and that You have promised a future for me with You. Help me to realize that You are here with me right now, this very instant, as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and that nothing can come between me and You if I stand firm in my faith and obedience to You. I believe that He who began a good work in me will see it to completion on the day of Christ Jesus. Help me to know that You rule over all things in heaven and on earth. Amen.