The Great God of the Living: Who He Is and Why It Matters

The Great God of the Living: Who He Is and Why It Matters

What Does It Mean?

The Scriptures paint a multifaceted and awe-inspiring picture of who God is. He is not a distant, impersonal force, nor is He a God who can be manipulated or bought. He is the sovereign Lord over all creation, yet He is intimately personal. The Bible reveals Him as both transcendent—far above all—and imminent—near to His people.

From Deuteronomy 10:17, we learn that God is:

God of gods and Lord of lords: He holds supreme authority over every other power, whether earthly rulers or spiritual forces. There is no one above Him.

The great God, mighty and awesome: His power is unmatched, and He inspires reverent fear and wonder.

Impartial and incorruptible: He shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. You cannot buy His favor with wealth, status, or religious performance. He judges fairly and loves justly.

From Matthew 22:32, Jesus reveals that God is "not the God of the dead but of the living." This means:

God is in a living, active relationship with His people, even beyond death. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are alive to Him.

He is a God of relationship, covenant, and eternal life—not a deity of dust and distant memory.

Because He is the God of the living, He calls us to a living faith, not a dead religion.

From Mark 1:15, God's kingdom is near:

Jesus announces that the time of waiting is over. God's reign is breaking into the world through Him.

The proper response is repentance—turning away from sin—and believing the good news that God is making all things new.

From Luke 7:28, we see the radical nature of God's kingdom:

John the Baptist, the greatest among those born of women, is still "least" in the kingdom of God. This reveals that being part of God's kingdom through Jesus is an entirely new and greater reality than anything that came before.

The Twist

The twist is that this great, mighty, and awesome God—who is so far above us that we cannot even fully comprehend Him—chooses to be known intimately. He is not the God of the dead, stuck in history; He is the God of the living, active and present right now. The same God who commands the armies of heaven and rules over all creation cares about your struggle with envy, your battle with laziness, and your call to faithful ministry.

Even more stunning is that this God who accepts no bribes and shows no partiality has made a way for sinners to be welcomed into His kingdom—not through our merit, but through repentance and faith in the good news. The One who is "mighty and awesome" invites us to call Him "Father." That is the shocking good news.

What Can I Learn?

God Is Sovereign and Supreme: Nothing happens outside of His control. He is not surprised by world events, political shifts, or personal crises. This should bring us peace in chaos and humility in success.

God Is Just and Impartial: You cannot earn His favor through wealth, connections, or religious activity. He looks at the heart. This frees us from the exhausting pursuit of human approval and from the envy that arises when we compare ourselves to others.

God Is the God of the Living: Your relationship with God is not meant to be static or historical. He wants to be known in the present moment—in your daily work, your relationships, your struggles, and your joys. He is alive, and He calls you to a living faith.

God's Kingdom Is Near and Available: The kingdom is not a distant future hope; it is breaking in now. Every moment is an opportunity to repent and believe. And being part of this kingdom is a greater privilege than any earthly status, even that of John the Baptist.

How Does It Apply to Me?

In Your View of God: Do you see God as distant and uncaring, or as intimately involved in your life? The same God who is "mighty and awesome" knows the number of hairs on your head. Let this truth transform your prayer life—approach Him with reverent awe, but also with childlike confidence.

In Your Pursuit of Approval: Because God shows no partiality and accepts no bribes, you are freed from trying to impress Him—or others—with your performance. Stop comparing yourself to others. Stop envying their success. Your worth is not in what you have or achieve but in the fact that the God of the universe calls you His own.

In Your Response to the Gospel: The kingdom is near. Have you truly repented—turned away from your sin—and believed the good news? This is not a one-time event but a daily posture. Today, right now, is the time to align your heart with God's reign.

In Your Daily Living: Because God is the God of the living, your faith should be vibrant and active. It should not be confined to Sunday mornings or religious routines. It should permeate your work, your family, your conversations, and your decisions. You are called to live as a citizen of His kingdom in every area of life.

Final Reflections

Who is God? He is the great, mighty, and awesome Creator—yet He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, a personal God who enters into covenant relationship with His people. He is the God of the living, not the dead, meaning He is actively present with you right now. He is the King whose kingdom is near, inviting you to repent and believe. And He is the God who welcomes the least into His kingdom, demonstrating that His grace is available to all who come to Him through faith.

Do not let your view of God be too small. He is greater than your circumstances, more powerful than your enemies, and more loving than you can imagine. And do not let your view of God be too distant. He is near, He is alive, and He is calling you to a living relationship with Him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

You are the great God, mighty and awesome. There is none like You. We worship You as the God of gods and the Lord of lords. Forgive us for the times we have made You too small in our minds—when we have doubted Your power, questioned Your goodness, or acted as if You are distant and uncaring.

Thank You that You show no partiality and accept no bribes. We do not need to earn Your love; we simply need to receive it. Thank You that You are the God of the living—not a God of history, but a God of today, of this moment, of our lives right now.

Lord, Your kingdom is near. Help us to repent of our sins and to believe the good news with all our hearts. Help us to live as citizens of Your kingdom in every area of our lives—at work, at home, and in our communities.

We ask that You would deepen our knowledge of You, not just in our minds but in our hearts. Let us know You as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob knew You—as the living God who keeps covenant and who is faithful to all generations.

In the name of Jesus, our King and our Savior, Amen.