What is God Like?

Worship Wednesday with Pastor Edith
January 22, 2025
Colossians 1:15-19

It has been bitterly cold, especially today here in Southern Indiana. I am happy to report that our family is faring very well through it all, but I am equally sad to report that not everyone has escaped this unusual winter weather unharmed. I have received several text messages about folks who have fallen on the ice trying to get to important appointments. I also received word that some people have frozen to death trying to get needed supplies or taking care of pets. It is with this thought in mind I want to share with you a meditation on the topic; What is God like? And; How does that change the way I am?

A.W. Tozer in his classic book; “The Knowledge of the Holy” asks the question this way; “What is God like? What kind of God is He? How may we expect Him to act toward us and toward all created things? Such questions are not merely academic. They touch the far-in reaches of the human spirit, and their answers affect life and character and destiny…To our questions God has provided answers…These answers He has provided in nature, in Scripture, and in the person of His Son” (pg. 13).

In Colossians 1:15-17 the Apostle Paul writes; “He [Christ Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things and in him all things hold together”. This is a very timely meditation, a time in which our country begins a new administration in our government, a time when people are being stressed and challenged by nature, and one another, a time when we need to commit ourselves to deciding if we want to know God or walk away from Him.

I heard a story about a friend that was out doing errands with his wife and they came upon an elderly man lying in the snow and ice. They backed up their vehicle and through a series of challenges and even slapstick style comedy of errors, they made sure he had warm food, and arrived safely at his home. You could say, this friend saved this man’s life. You could say this friend was the image of God for the elderly man.

I also heard a story about a man’s elderly mother who did not experience such compassion as she too was out in the snow and ice with no one to stop and help her, no one to save her life. What are we to make of this? Well, for today I want to encourage you to ask again the question “What is God like”? and then see in Scripture that Jesus gives us that answer. You see Jesus stopped and helped, Jesus saved people. Like my friend who simply saw another person’s need, and used whatever he had to help, we all are called by God, our creator, to do the same. It may not happen in snow and ice, it may not appear to be life threatening, but none the less, people are hurting and need to know God is still at work.

Amen and Pray On!