Welcome back to the series I started for this year to go through the alphabet identifying and describing names and attributes of God. Our worship will be more complete when we are specific in our reasons for it.
A word that came to mind as I pondered this series was “abundant.” But we have already used “A,” so I chose a related concept - "bountiful."
God was worthy of worship before He lifted his proverbial finger to do anything. When we ascribe worth to Him because of WHOM HE IS before considering what He has done, we recognize his greatness and our hopelessness without Him.
When we start there, we recognize that He is bountiful in everything, and our response should be actions and attitudes that mirror Him.
I like Webster's definitions of bountiful.
1 : liberal or generous in bestowing gifts or favors
2 : given or provided abundantly
Even last week’s word points to God’s bounty. He isn’t standard or regular or humanly comprehensible. He is more.
His lavish nature is evident in creation. Consider the variety of climates and ecosystems available just in the state where you live, not to mention the entire universe.
His nature is abundance in all of His character.
In the Old Testament, we are instructed in God’s character by Yahweh Himself,
“Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and truth,” Exodus 34:6
Our English vocabulary fails us when it comes to the word translated here as “lovingkindness.” Your translation might say unfailing or steadfast love. Check out this great explanation of the term by The Bible Project.
So roll up your concepts of love, generosity, and enduring commitment, and you’ll have a sense of how God is trying to describe Himself.
Several Old Testament authors teach these exact attributes of God in other places. Look at Numbers 14:18; Psalm 5:7, 86:5, 15, and Lamentations 3:32.
And He says He abounds or overflows in it. That is bounty and abundance!
John tells us that God is love (1 John 4:8). That is His nature. Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary defines the Greek word agapao as expressing the “deep and constant love and interest of a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy objects.”
Not only is love part of God’s character, but John also tells us that this love is bestowed or given freely to us (1 John 1:3). Paul tells us that the love of Christ surpasses knowledge (Ephesians 3:19). That’s bountiful!
David describes God’s knowledge as vast, His thoughts outnumbering the sand (Psalm 139:17-18). Paul agreed in Romans 11:33.
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! Romans 11:33
That’s bountiful!
Not only does God have a bounty, but he shares out of it.
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17
Consider all of these things in Scripture as given to us in abundance.
- Redemption – Psalm 130:7
- Life – John 10:10
- Grace – Ephesians 1:6
- Power – Ephesians 3:20
- Everything we need for life and godliness – 2 Peter 1:3
- His eternal kingdom – 2 Peter 1:11
- The Holy Spirit – Titus 3:5-6
- A glorious future with Him – John 14:2-3, Revelation 21:9-11, 18-27; Revelation 22:1-5
Take some time today to list the abundant character traits of the Lord. Then make a list of how you’ve recently seen that abundance in your life. Worship and thank Him for His lavish blessings.
I pray this has made you more aware of God's abundant and bountiful nature, increasing your desire to share with others His bounty toward you.
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