The Abundance of God

 

I’ve been reflecting recently on the abundance of God.  I have a tendency to look at what is lacking (or at least I perceive it to be so) and quickly fall into a scarcity mindset.  But it’s really hard to read the Bible and not be awed by how many times, and in how many ways, we are reminded of God’s riches.  Let’s look at a few of them (and let me know what I may have forgotten).

 

Exodus 34:6-7 - 'The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin,

 

Things to think about:

·       Mercy

o   Ephesians 2:4-5: "But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved"

o   Lamentations 3:22-23: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness"

o   Psalm 25:10: "All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth toward those who honor His covenant and decrees"

·       Grace

o   Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast"

o   2 Corinthians 12:9: "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me"

o   Romans 3:24: "And are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus"

 

 

·       Peace

o   John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid"

o   Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"

o   Isaiah 26:3: "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you"

·       Goodness

o   Psalm 23:6: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever"

o   Psalm 31:19: "Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!"

o   Psalm 34:8: "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"

·       Forgiveness

o   1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"

o   Colossians 3:13: "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive"

o   Matthew 6:14-15: "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses"

·       Blessing

o   Ephesians 1:3: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places"

o   Numbers 6:24-26: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace"

o   Psalm 67:7: "God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear Him!"

What other qualities can you think of or passages that I may have missed?

How does focusing on God’s abundant qualities change how you look at your circumstances?