Devotion #6: God Is Exactly Who He Says He Is

In Romans 3:1-8, Paul is addressing three different questions: 

1. What advantage is it to be a Jew? 

2. Will Jewish unbelief lead to God’s abandonment or loss of faithfulness? 

3. If our sin leads to His goodness, will God still judge us?  

Paul’s answers to all of these questions can be summed up as follows: God is exactly who He says He is. If we compare Paul’s answers to the questions that are being asked in this passage, we understand that Paul is simply reminding the people of the loving God they follow. He answers:  

1. The advantage of being a Jew is having the Living Word of God.  

2. God is faithful even when we are not.  

3. God is righteous, and His righteousness is good.  

These answers also apply to all Christians today.  

In 1 John 2:2, we read, “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” God’s Word is open to everyone in this world. He is already faithful to all of us. His righteousness is sovereign over every single one of us. Even in our trials and through change, God is exactly who He says He is. 

This passage led me to think about a time in my life when I experienced a similar type of change that the Jews did.  

From the ages 6-8, I endured a lot of change. I had a great life at the age of 6, as most might agree. I had great friends, I loved playing in my backyard, I loved my church family, and I was always excited to hang with them every Thursday and Sunday. I had a set routine in life, and it felt good. Yet, like most people at that age, I did not understand the hardships that others were going through. I had no idea the turmoil my parents were facing financially. It was to the extent that my dad needed to reach out to family that lived out of state to help us. With that, we left my favorite backyard, friends, and family and said goodbye to our church community. For a whole year after that, we moved to three different states, lived in apartments and hotels, and with friends and family in their basements. It was a whole year and a half of change, one thing after the other.  

Looking back now as a grown adult, I can see God’s hand through all of it. He provided for us every step of the way. He used people to house, shelter, and feed us. He also introduced us to churches that accepted us with open and loving arms, showing us Christ’s love through it all. I would say it was cool that we got to travel. However, what was cooler was the fact that even in my doubt as a 6-year-old child, God’s character was the same. He was still faithful to my family. He provided and loved us through the storm.  

I am very grateful to be following a God who is exactly who He says He is. One who keeps promises and loves endlessly.  

Maybe you have not spent enough time thanking God for all He has brought you through. Maybe you are going through something and need to be reminded about the true character of God. Some truths that I know are God’s Word is true, God is always faithful, and God is righteous over all. God is exactly who He says He is. I encourage you to spend some time with our amazing God and be reminded of how amazing He is.