The inherent concept of God is miraculous. If a miracle is the intervention of the supernatural, then God’s existence is miraculous. A being who has no beginning or end is not natural.
Possessing unlimited power defies opposition, much less is capable of producing an unimaginably vast universe. When you think about it, if pagans worship multiple gods, then they imagine a god like themselves, not possessing all power. The capacity to know all possibilities and provide for them in advance is inconceivable, except for God. Understanding the vastness of the universe and the infinitesimally smallness of every part of it wearies the mind to even conceive. No true skeptic of God desires to entertain any of these thoughts, for it must be repugnant to them, and understandably so. The capacity to maintain an infinite stability without deviation is inconceivable and inestimably valuable, when making a promise. The facility to be present at all locations at once, yet the individuality to interact with each circumstance as unique, becomes highly valuable to the knowability of a personable God. The most profound critic of the God concept may take great refuge in the lack of reality of anything, yet would react, when stimulated. In the end, must God answer to them, or they to God? Now, anyone who is eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and immutable, why would you attempt to resist? You can only hope God is good and not arbitrary. The very idea of God choosing indicates a capacity to reason and act, which makes one wonder, does God have more than essential, natural qualities that make God uniquely God? Is God good because whatever He does is good and He is incapable of doing otherwise? Reminds me of a challenge from a youthful acquaintance, If God can do anything, can He create a rock that He cannot pick up? The absurdity of the challenge is answered in that God cannot do what He refuses to do. To demonstrate the point, God “does not lie” (Titus 1:2 NIV), not because of any lack of ability to lie, but “it is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18 NIV), because He chooses the Truth.
God is eternal
Both the pantheistic idea that God is the universe and the philosophic concept that God is only an idea, depersonalize God. Like talking about a person in the room, but not to him. Even when God is given personality, most often He is fashioned with mythic, contradictory, and arbitrary qualities to mimic the human creator’s propensities. But, once the human mind begins to feel, grope, and stumble across the idea that God is eternal — always has been, is, and always will be — then the magnitude of our encounter with God begins to take hold of our imagination. We can conjecture and surmise about the eternal nature of God, but until we align with God’s own words about Himself, can we reach any level of confidence about our opinions. For instance, God’s Word reveals His eternal nature: (1) “the high and exalted One says — He who lives forever” (Isaiah 57:15 NIV), (2) “whose origins are from of old, from ancient times [literally, from everlasting]” (Micah 5:2 NIV), and (3) “the eternal king” (Jeremiah 10:10 NIV). Any being who always had existence, who is, and who always will exist is the Eternal God. We may continue our existence from this point forward, but only God has no beginning or ending. This is the significance of Jesus identifying Himself, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8 NIV). Like any statement, we must determine, if it is only brag, or if it is fact. If God is eternal, then His miracle working “eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (Romans 1:20 NIV). We have no excuse, but to believe, an eternal, miracle working God is present in this world.
God is omnipotent
How could an eternal God exist without having all power? Notice that all power means all power. Remember when Jesus informed His startled interrogator, Pontus Pilate, “You would have no power over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of a greater sin” (John 19:11 NIV)? Even the power that seemingly belongs to the unbelieving enemies of God, belongs to God. We need to have a lot more respect about God’s omnipotence. Our neighbors in the world are constantly trying to remind us of the Christian’s unrealistic viewpoint. Those who support or reject the political, economic, social, cultural, religious powers of this world need to know that all power belongs to God. This can be verified by Christ’s own words, “All authority [Greek, exousia, power] in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matthew 28:18 NIV). In the real world, governmental power belongs with God. Paul said, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities [Greek, exousia, power], for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” (Romans 13:1 NIV). Disciples need a better understanding of their Omnipotent God, as important as the human machinery of government is. Scientifically, we need to remind ourselves that the real world of science is like any tool, when properly used, will only illustrate that the universe is held together by the power of God. “He [Christ] is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17 NIV). How different should our conduct be, if we believe a miracle working, all powerful God is active in this world!
God is omniscient
God knows everything. If He has to make a calculation to arrive at a conclusion, then He is not God. The very idea of infinite understanding accurately characterizes God’s knowledge. If it can be known, He already knows it.
The Psalmist recorded, “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit” (Psalm 147:5 NIV). Possibly, the Word of God itself may seemingly confuse the idea of God’s omniscience, when the Almighty tests a human being for obedience. God knows all that anyone and anything will do or could be, but His relationship to us is based upon our present walk with Him. For example, the good LORD spoke through Jeremiah, “Obey Me, and I will be your God” (Jeremiah 7:23 NIV). Abraham was tested for obedience, when he was told to sacrifice his son Isaac. A military commander may sacrifice troops to achieve an objective; but previously, Abraham had been assured by a faithful God, He would establish through the soon-to-be-sacrificed Isaac “an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him” (Genesis 17:19 NIV). Why would an intelligent God do something so seemingly irrational and detestable, if He already knew what Abraham would do? The test is for our benefit, so we will know what a merciful God knows. “Do not lay a hand on the boy, He said. Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from Me your son, your only son” (22:12 NIV). We may be favored by a gracious God according to what He promised someone else, even while we are presently disobedient, but that is the concept of grace, which is unmerited favor. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 NIV). We are assured that a miracle working, omniscient God is with us and active in the world.
God is omnipresent
God is everywhere, but that is not to be confused with the pagan notion of worshipping everything. God is a personable God, so we are encouraged to know God and talk to God as with a friend. Well might we be faulted for talking about God and not to God. We may feel more in control, if we can analyze God and enumerate His attributes, but God wants our companionship, as He was with Abraham, who “was called God’s friend” (James 2:23 NIV). LORD, did You not say, You “fill heaven and earth” (Jeremiah 23:24 NIV)? How can we better relate to Your omnipresence? True, LORD, the Shepherds Psalm comes to my mind, too. You are our ever present Shepherd. “I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1 NIV). Regardless where I am, You make “me lie down in green pastures” and calm me by leading “me besides quiet waters” (23:2 NIV). You continually refresh me and guide me “along right paths” (23:3 NIV) because the right path is good for me and glorifying to You. LORD, especially are we grateful for the comfort You provide, when we “walk through the darkest valley” (23:4 NIV). Your presence is greatly appreciated! I know we are looking forward to the celebration of our marriage to Your Son at the “wedding supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9 NIV), but I very much appreciate the table you now set “before me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalm 23:5 NIV) in this hostile world. Thank you for the anointing of the Your Holy Spirit and keeping me physically and spiritually hydrated “my cup overflows” (23:5 NIV). Thank you for your comfortable omnipresence! Better You than an angry God breathing out condemnation for the wrath to come! May “your goodness and love” follow me “all the days of my life” (23:6 NIV). It is a miracle that an Omnipresent God would condescend to shepherd me. Do so for all those who take shelter under the shadow of Your ever present wings!
God is immutable
God does not change in His essential attributes, character, and qualities. Thank God for that, if you love Him! “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed” (Malachi 3:6 NIV). LORD, we have not even begun to mention Your exquisite moral qualities that elevate You far beyond Your natural attributes that make You God. “Among the gods there is none like You, Lord; no deeds can compare with Yours” (Psalm 86:8 NIV). I am especially pleased to relate, You exercised “kindness, justice and righteousness on earth” (Jeremiah 9:24 NIV), far before Your Son told us You “loved the world” (John 3:16), and John revealed, “God is love” (1John 4:16 NIV). Your moral character is worthy of the highest imitation. May we participate in Your “divine nature” (2Peter 1:4 NIV) by virtue of Your Holy Spirit, and cause us to be as unchangingly faithful as You are. Most of all, cause us to surrender our will to You, that we would say, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42 NIV). I know the greatest miracle performed in us is the miracle of willing obedience, since it is You “who works in [us] to will and to act in order to fulfill [Your] good purpose” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). It is exciting to think You can actually transform our expectation of walking willingly, lovingly obedient to You. May Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. How long has it been since Your servant Ezekiel penned Your words, “I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws” (Ezekiel 36:27 NIV)? Soon, LORD, I pray Your people will better understand our birthright of obedience to You, that we may be that people of which Your heart spoke, “I will put My laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people” (Hebrews 8:10 NIV). May the miracle of an immutably faithful God be imprinted upon us as delighted and faithful people.
“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” (1867)
Hymn by Walter C. Smith
Verse 1
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible, hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.
Verse 2
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rules in might,
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.
Verse 3
To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small.
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all.
We blossom and flourish as leaves on a tree,
And wither and perish, but naught changeth Thee.
Verse 4
Great God of all glory, great God of all light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight.
All praise we would render; O help us to see
‘Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee.
“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen” (1Timothy 1:17 KJV).
We Need A Miracle 