God | a 3-Day Skate Church Movement DevotionalНамуна

The Character of God

“The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.” Psalm 103:8

Do you remember the first time you rolled up to a real skate park? I certainly do. It was finally time to move past the waxed curbs and tabletops screwed together from scraps in my dad’s garage. I was filled with a mixture of anticipation, excitement, and nervousness. I stood on the edge of the park, watching the older skaters push around so quickly. I recall thinking to myself, “Will I be accepted by these guys? Or am I literally going to slam and be seen as a poser for life? What if I get in the way?” This may seem pretty lame, but hey, I was 11 years old, so cut me some slack. As I’ve gotten older though, I realize this same scenario sums up a very common aspect of humanity and a thought pattern I often struggle with in my own life: the fear of not being accepted.

For most people, they will avoid ever approaching God or pursuing Him because they feel like they’re inadequate. They’ll stand on the sidelines of Christianity, afraid to step in because they’re worried they’re not good enough to do so or that they’ll be made fun of because of their failures or past mistakes. But here’s the true news about the character of God: God created you in your mother’s womb. He knew you before you were even born. He knows the number of hairs on your head and how many days you will live. He created you with a plan and a purpose. Despite our sins, our mistakes, or our fear of fitting in, God continues to pursue us with a desire that each of us come to know Him. He is calling us off the edge of the park to step in and push alongside Him.

Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” Later in Psalm 103:8, it says that “The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.” Hebrews 13:8 tells us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

There is nothing we can do to make God love us more, and there is nothing we can do to make Him love us less. His love for each and every one of us is perfect and complete. His character is full of acceptance and filled with a desire that all of us would come to the full understanding that He is God. I have to be clear though, God doesn’t approve of our sins. In fact, scripture is clear that God hates sin, yet loves the sinner. This is the very reason why He sent Jesus, His own Son, to earth; to die for our sins and take on the punishment that we all deserved. When we come to a full and complete understanding of who He is and put our faith in Him, we become His. We have no fear in stepping off the sidelines at that point because we know we are fully accepted and welcomed with open arms.

Pushing Further

1. Have you ever thought about the character of God and who He really is?
2. How do you imagine God reacting when you sin?
3. Do you feel like the image you have of God aligns with what the Bible says?