Knowing God is like drinking the ocean or counting its sands, or walking its waves. It is not really in the realm of possibility.
We know only what He has revealed (Deuteronomy 29:29) and even that can tax our faculties. Eliphaz the Temanite told Job to acquaint himself with God (Job 22:21), though the “physician should have taken his own medicine.” Daniel said “the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits” (Daniel 11:32).
How well do you know your God? Could you answer these simple questions correctly?
Does God Ever Hurt?
“For the hurt of the daughter of my people I am hurt. I am mourning; astonishment has taken hold of me” (Jeremiah 8:21). “And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.” (Genesis 6:6). While on earth, Jesus’ tears reveal the pain in His heart. Jesus wept
- For His friends (John 11:35).
- For His enemies (Luke 19:41).
- For Himself (Hebrews 5:7).
Does God Ever Get Tired?
“You have wearied the Lord with your words; Yet you say, ‘In what way have we wearied Him?’ In that you say, ‘Everyone who does evil Is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them,’ Or, ‘Where is the God of justice?’” (Malachi 2:17).
Does God Ever Get Mad?
“God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11). “Therefore the Lord heard this and was furious; so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel, because they did not believe in God, and did not trust in His salvation” (Psalm 78:21–22). God gets angry with man’s sin (Numbers 32:10–15), error (2 Samuel 6:7), disobedience (Joshua 7:1–12) and idolatry (Judges 2:11–14). His wrath is described as fierce (Psalm 78:49–50), destructive (Psalm 90:7), and powerful (Psalm 90:11).
God has always been slow to anger (Nehemiah 9:17) and “does not retain His anger forever” (Micah 7:18). In fact, it “is but for a moment” (Psalm 30:5). “But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them. Yes, many a time He turned His anger away, and did not stir up all His wrath” (Psalm 78:38).
To appease God’s anger, one must pray (Numbers 11:1–2; Deuteronomy 9:19–20), act righteously (Numbers 25:3–12; cf. Joshua 7:1,10–26), and obey (Deuteronomy 13:16–18).
Does God Ever Laugh?
“He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision” (Psalm 2:4). “The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming” (Psalm 37:12–13). “But You, O Lord, shall laugh at them; You shall have all the nations in derision” (Psalm 59:8). “Because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes” (Proverbs 1:25–26). As you can see, “It is a sad day when God laughs.”
On the other hand, God is not a tyrant who enjoys punishing people. He rejoices over obedience (1 Samuel 15:22). This is seen in Christ’s rejoicing while on earth and in His teaching. In the parable of the lost sheep, for instance, when the shepherd found his wayward lamb, he carried it home on his shoulders, rejoicing. He called together his friends and said, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!” (Luke 15:5–6).
Does God Ever Get Jealous?
“You shall have no other gods before Me . . . you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God” (Exodus 20:3–5). “For you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” (Exodus 34:14).
Does God Ever Hate?
“For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, nor shall evil dwell with You. The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity” (Psalm 5:4–5).
“These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16–19).
Does God Ever Exercise?
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). “‘I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:24).
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3). “But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me” (Jeremiah 9:24).
As little boys do, three tykes were bragging about their dads. “My dad knows the mayor,” bragged the first.
“So, my dad is friends with the governor,” countered the second.
As contentions continued, they asked the third if his father knew anyone important. He thought for a moment and said, “My dad knows God.”
We should all do we can do to know all we can about God.
