Exodus 34:5-8

Oh, the wonders of the Almighty! This passage about the attributes of God is truly inspiring. It reminds us that even when going through tough times, we should focus on the greatness of God, who is merciful, gracious, patient, and kind. The Lord’s names for Himself are not just mere titles but reveal His true nature and character. He is the Self-existent One, the Almighty, the Merciful, the Gracious, the Longsuffering, the Abundant in Goodness, and the Abundant in Truth. In this passage, the Lord introduces Himself to Moses using names for Himself:

• The LORD is the Self-existent One—the Only Genuine God who exists of His attributes (not from the workings of others).
• The LORD God is the Almighty One. The One who deserves our worship due to His power and existence.
• Merciful – He is the Loving, Kind One. He is the One who often withholds harm (from those who deserve His wrath).
• Gracious is the One Who Gives Good to the Undeserving. He bends down to aid those beneath Him who are undeserving of His help.
• Longsuffering – He is the One who is slow to Anger: the One who waits to send judgment, the One who does not act hurriedly or without thought.
• Abundant in Goodness, He is the One who Overflows In Beauty and Kindness. He is never unable to forgive, to whom grace and mercy are given.
• Abundant in Truth – The Genuine and Accurate One. The One who is truthful in His claims about Himself, His claims about His Heavenly Father, and His promises He makes to us.

As we reflect on these attributes, we’re reminded that our Lord is not distant or indifferent, but He is genuine and truthful. He is a unique, self-existing God, overflowing with patience, goodness, kindness, and forgiveness for each of us who may feel undeserving of His favors. The beauty of God’s attributes is that they’re not just abstract concepts, but they’re visible and relational. We can see them in the Scriptures and in our daily lives. And we can mirror His love, mercy, and patience even in our smallness, knowing that He sees and values our efforts. 

God has revealed himself in both general and particular revelation. So, let’s take a moment to appreciate God’s goodness and His hand in all that He has done and will do. Let’s be inspired by His attributes and worship Him by finding a small way to serve Him today and by telling others about the transformative power of our Lord, who forgives and saves. What an awesome almighty God we serve who can change lives and bring hope!

The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped. – Ex 34:5-8