I Am Your God
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Key Verse: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Selected Scripture: |
IMAGINE FOR A MOMENT the magnitude of the statement made by our Heavenly Father in this reference verse, ‘I am thy God.’ He begins this verse with the assurance that we should not fear. We are to have reverence for God, for “The fear (reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Prov. 9:10) This is a gradual process, as the reverence of the Lord increases while the child of God comes to know his Maker. It leads him to obedience and the realization that, “Perfect love casteth out fear.”—I John 4:18
The psalmist wrote, “The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” (Ps. 145:9) This is a sweeping statement that takes in the furthermost bounds of the universe, to the humblest as well as the most exalted beings of his creation. The whole creation is in his care. Our God is the only true and living God. He is the great Architect of the divine plan of the ages. He is the grand Ruler of the whole universe, and his wisdom, power, and goodness are more than equal to all of the responsibilities of such a highly exalted office. Since we are told that his tender mercies and his kind providences are over all his works, this gives us faith that his wise purposes will be accomplished. This will lead to the ultimate design for all of his works, which is the establishment of universal harmony and peace. “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: … it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”—Isa. 55:8-13; I Cor. 15:24,25
Our limited minds as human beings may fail in their efforts to comprehend the mental resources of a being that is able to assume and to bear such responsibility. He is so powerful that, “It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth.” (Isa. 40:22) He has a memory that never fails, a judgment that never errs, and an all encompassing wisdom that plans for all eternity without the possibility of failure. He has timed his plans and purposes with precision for ages to come. He knows the end from the beginning.
How fitting are the words from the psalmist, when he wrote in consideration of the grandeur and immensity of God’s providence over his works, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.” (Ps. 139:6) Although we cannot fully comprehend all God’s mighty works, we can have a deep sense of reverence, love, and adoration for his greatness. “I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number.” (Job 5:8,9) As we contemplate him, all of nature reflects his praise. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge”—Ps. 19:1
Even though he is such a powerful being, he has seen fit to call us “out of darkness into his marvellous light.” (I Pet. 2:9) These verses show the immensity of his creation, and of its harmony and order as all things reflect the glory of the Almighty God. How thankful we should be that he has told us, “I am thy God.”—Isa. 41:10