It is an intellectual stretch to conclude that life, that creation, just came into existence without the hand of a Creator behind it. So if there is a God, a Creator of all life, what is God like?
Some have concluded that God is a rule maker, and when you don’t follow the rules, He seeks to punish you. Others view God as an impersonal power in the universe (“May the force be with you.”).
God, as presented in the Bible, is the only One worth knowing — the only One Who will transform life for the better. We find in Deuteronomy chapter 32 two important and potentially life-changing traits of the One Who created you.
God Pursues You (vv. 1-3)
According to the portrait painted in these first several verses, God is neither a rule-maker waiting for you to mess up nor an impersonal power floating around in the universe. He is personal and loving and desires a relationship with you. In fact, God pursues you to establish such a relationship; but a relationship requires a responsiveness to Him.
In verse 1, Moses appeals to God’s people to do two things in response to the truth God reveals through His Word: 1) “Listen” (which means to listen closely and assumes a responsiveness to what you hear) and 2) “Hear” (which means to hear intelligently; be very attentive and respond to the truth He reveals).
In any relationship, you know what it is to truly listen and hear someone vs. being partially attentive. I guarantee the person trying to share something with you knows the difference in a given conversation if you don’t! The simple call in v. 1 is to truly listen (with mind and heart) to God as He speaks to you through His word and respond.
When you listen and respond to God, notice what happens “Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass,” (v. 2). What God has to say as He pursues you is life-giving! You, however, have a day-to-day choice to make: “Let my teaching fall like rain” or not. This means take to heart what He reveals to you. Don’t ignore it, but respond.
God is Faithful to You (vv. 4-6)
The second trait revealed about God is that He is faithful, even when you are not. Moses states “He is the Rock,” (v. 4). This picture of God as “the Rock” is used multiple times in Deuteronomy 32, as well as throughout the Old Testament. This imagery shows us God is consistent, He is stable. Hebrews 13:8 states it this way: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” While we as believers might act at times in contradiction to Christ within us, God will not. He will never act in contradiction to His character, Who He is — a loving, faithful God Who pursues you.
This means that in Christ you can have a stable, consistent foundation to build life upon. Circumstances around you may shift and change, but come what may, Christ can be your Rock if you allow Him to. This occurs as you learn to rely on and respond to Him day-to-day.
Consider This:
What is God like? He pursues you and is always faithful to you. But, in truth it does not matter Who God is or what He is like until you choose each new day to listen and respond to Him. What will your choice be today?
Deuteronomy 32:1-6
“Listen, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He. They have acted corruptly toward Him; to their shame they are no longer His children, but a warped and crooked generation. Is this the way you repay the LORD, O foolish and unwise people? Is He not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you?”
