Who Is The Almighty, That We Should Serve Him?
Albert E. Farley
When the Lord allowed Job to be sorely afflicted by Satan, his three friends, Eliphas, Bildad, and Zophar, came to see him. Their words are recorded in Job 4-31. In summary, their position was that, if a man is righteous, God will prosper him; if he is wicked, God will bring destruction upon him. Therefore, since Job’s life was almost totally destroyed, he must have been guilty of great sin.
In his response, Job reminded them, in Job 21, that, in this life, the wicked often greatly prosper. They live long lives; their children are established; they live in peace and safety; their herds and flocks grow into great numbers; they live lives of leisure, relaxing and enjoying music all around them; they spend their days in wealth; they die in a moment – that is, without suffering – in peace. In their prosperity, these wicked people ask, “What (Who) is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit would we have, if we pray unto him?” (21:14, 15). Many ask these questions today. They have everything they think they need. Why should they serve God and pray to Him?
Dear friends, the Person of God demands that we serve Him; there is great profit if we, as His faithful children, pray unto Him. What does the Bible reveal about the Person of God? What are His Attributes? What is His Character?
1. He is Everlasting/Eternal. “…from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God …” Ps 90:1, 2, 4. He is not subject to time. Rom 1:20. One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2 Pet 3:8.
2. He is Almighty/All Powerful. “I am the Almighty God.” Gen 17:1-3. “ I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal …” Deut 32:39, 40. “I know that thou canst do every thing.” Job 42:1, 2. “…with God all things are possible. Mt 19:26.
3. He is Our Creator/Sustainer. “Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee. Neh 9:6. Ex 20:11, Gen 1:1, 26, 27. “For in him we live, and move, and have our being.” Acts 17:24-28. Every good and perfect gift is from Him. Jam 1:17.
4. He is Omniscient/All Knowing. “… his eye seeth every precious thing. Job 28:10. “…his understanding is infinite.” Ps 147:5. “The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; Prov 3:19, 20. “ … the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Cor 1:24, 25. “… all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Heb 4:13. Every secret thing will be brought into judgment. Ecc 12:13, 14.
5. He is All Pure/Holy. “Who is like unto thee, O LORD … glorious in holiness …” Ex 15:11. “ … Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Mt 5:48. “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Pet 1:15, 16. “… Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” Rev 4:8, 6:10
6. He is All Righteous/Just. “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” Deut 32:4. “The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” Ps 19:9. “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. Rev 16:5-7.”
7. He is All Loving/Merciful. “The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” Ps 145:8, 9. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; … For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom 3:23; 6:23. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom 5:8.
God’s Holiness and Justice demand that sin be punished but not all justice is rendered in one day or even in one lifetime. He is longsuffering and not willing that any should perish. His Love and Mercy sent His Only Begotten Son to pay for our sins upon the cross. If we reject His gift of Love, we will be severely punished. 2 Thess 1:7-12. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Heb 10:31. On the other hand, Job has shown us that patient endurance in well doing will be rewarded in the end. Jam 5:10, 11. Let us be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as we know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor 15:58. –Editor.