How Big Is God?
And how can we relate to him?
In the second post in this series from the introduction to Friends With God, we discussed how to confront being disappointed with God, and why he sometimes does make things difficult for us.
In this post we will begin to understand how big God is, how to read his word and how to talk to God and listen to him through his word.
Getting The Big Picture
I live six kilometres from a little country town. We say we live a short distance from town, about six minutes by car. I drive that road four of five times a week, it’s a pleasant easy drive, through farms and orchards and bushland. Yet, to walk there takes about an hour. It’s a hot and hilly walk, and if I don’t bring water with me, I get very thirsty. Then I need to walk home again, carrying whatever I have gone into town to buy. I don’t get tired driving to and from town, but it’s long and tiring when walking.
Cars, trains, planes, telephones, TV’s and the internet have not so much shrunk the world, but have changed our perception of reality, so that we don’t notice how big the world really is. And, as God is the creator of the world, then we also have difficulty appreciating how big God really is.
If you want to know how big God is, then start by walking into and out of town. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that prior to the invention of cars more people believed in God.
Walking gives you a good perspective of your place in this world. When a car zooms by you it also gives you a good idea about how out of touch the people in it are, compared to you walking on the side of the road.
Once you have this perspective, then you can begin to understand how big God’s creation is, and how big he is, and how huge what he is offering you truly is and how small you are.
The distance around Earth at the Equator (its circumference) is about 40,000 kilometres. If you were to walk at 6km an hour, then it would take about 6,700 hours. If you were to walk for 8 hours a day that would be 838 days, or 2.3 years. Walking five days per week, which is a bit more realistic than walking every day, it would take about 3.2 years. It’s surprising that nobody has actually done it; but perhaps that because most of the way is water?!
The Earth is big, and walking around it would certainly demonstrate to you how big it is. Yet God created the Earth, and the Sun, and the Moon, and all the stars.
The distance to the Sun is about 150 million kilometres, which would take you far too long to walk to- about 8,500 years. The Earth’s orbit around the Sun is about 940 million kilometres. Yet the Earth covers this distance every year, travelling at about 108,000 km/h. The fastest manned aircraft travels at just 7,200 km/h.
The fastest spacecraft, and the fastest speed ever travelled by a human, is about 40,000 km/h, which was Apollo 10. So, while these Astronauts could travel around the equator in an hour, they would not actually be able to catch the Earth if it got away from them!
Space is big, but God is much bigger. Have a walk into town, then you may begin to get an idea about how big God is.
Once you have walked to and from town, then go into the country and look up at the night sky. You will see thousands of stars that are billions of kilometres away. If you go far enough away from any town, say 100km, then you will not just see thousands, but millions of stars. The light pollution, from even a small town, like ours 6km away, blocks out most of the stars.
We need to get this perspective of God’s creation before we can appreciate how big God is. When King David was a young boy, he was a shepherd who had plenty of chance to look up at the night sky.
David was also a poet who deeply considered what he saw, and wrote: “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have established; what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man, that You visit him? (Psalm 8:3-4)
It’s only when we get back to a simple life without cars and lights, that we can see the creation for what it is. We can then begin to see how big God, who created it all, truly is.
Looking at the other extreme, we see the small things that God has made, with the incredible detail, beauty and humour in how God designed it all.
David also wrote a song on this theme, talking about his own body “I will praise You; for I am fearfully (awesomely) and wonderfully made; Your works are marvellous and my soul (mind) knows it very well. (Psalm 139:14)
If we take some time to think on God’s creation, we can easily see the marvellous and awesomeness of this wonderful life he has made for us.
God has also made people to have important relationships between them. He made Man and Woman, and the emotion of love to bind them together in love, so that they may produce children in a loving family.
In this loving environment we are able to then be taught how to love others in the general community, so that we grow up and marry and produce children, and fill the world with love.
God loves people, for he made them in his image, so that they may also become his children, to live with him forever. (Gen 1:26-27) God loves you, and wants to help you to love him and other people.
Once we gain this big perspective of the hugeness of God’s love and power, including the depth of the love of God has for us, and the massive size of God’s creation, and the great beauty and loving detail he has put into all his creation, then we too will be anxious to ask God, “what is man that you have created him?” We will then be ready to read the Bible.
How To Read The Bible.
The Bible is a big book. If you take it easy, it will take about a year to read it from cover to cover. It’s worth doing, but I don’t recommend reading from front to back, as most people give up once they get to the less interesting (i.e., boring) bits!
If you want to succeed in reading all the Bible, then I also don’t recommend starting with Genesis at the beginning of the Bible, nor with Matthew at the beginning of the New Testament, but I suggest that you start with the book in the middle of Bible- the book of Proverbs.
Proverbs tells us that it is a book of wisdom written for young and old, men and women, rich and poor, fools and wise men, weak and strong- so that we can understand the way of life that will produce love, happiness and peace. Prov 1:1-6
Proverbs summarizes many of the truths of the Bible in practical, everyday examples. It’s a great overview of how God expects us to love him, and other people.
It has 31 short chapters, so it seems to be set up to read a chapter every day, of every month. I recommend reading a chapter a day of Proverbs every day of your life. And if you miss a few days, you can start again from whatever day of the month you are on, so you will never lose your place!
Once you have the habit of reading Proverbs every day, then you can start reading a chapter of Genesis and Matthew every alternate day as well as, or instead of, a chapter of Proverbs. Once you have finished Genesis and Matthew then move onto the next book.
Eventually you will get through it all, and will have a good understanding of what God is telling you. There is no rush, God has given you all your life to understand him and his purpose for you.
But the Bible is a big book and it will take time, so the sooner you start the better. When you start you may not want to put it down, and you may want to discuss what you are reading with others. Pretty soon you will be spending a lot of time learning about what God’s plan is for you, and for all his creation.
Ask God For Understanding
Once you have read the Bible, or better still before you start to read it, you can ask God to help you to understand what you are reading. He has said that he will help you understand his word, by giving you his Spirit.
God asks us in Proverbs: How long will you love simplicity, (oh you) simple ones? And (how long) will (those who) scorn, (continue to) delight in their scorning? And (how long) will (you) fools (continue to) hate knowledge? Turn at my correction; behold, I will pour out my Spirit on you; (so that) I will make my words known to you. (Prov 1:22-23)
Here we see that God promises to give you his Spirit, if you turn at his correction and ask for understanding.
By reading the Bible you are trying not to be simple, or scornful, or foolish, and you are showing to God that you want to learn about his truth. If he then gives you understanding, you must also respond to that understanding by turning from your ways, and walking in his ways.
God is talking to you through reading his word, but many people get confused with the various translations of the Bible, with some people claiming that one is so much better than the other. I have found that they all have some good and some poor translations within them. But most translations are simply following the King James Version, with just a few verses or pet words changed in how they present it.
Many Bibles, however, are not translations but paraphrases of what they think God means, these are sometimes helpful, but should not be considered to have the weight of a real translation, which attempts to express the words of the original language, without too many amendments.
Therefore, throughout Friends With God I have not quoted scripture from any specific translation, but have chosen what seems to be the best translation, sometimes mixing more than one into a quote.
I may have sometimes just removed the old terms “thee” or “thou” etc. used in the 1611 King James Version, as we simply don’t talk like that today. I have also added explanations in brackets, to clarify what I see as the meaning of the text.
I am not a Greek or Hebrew scholar, so I don’t expect you to believe that my understanding is correct. Modern computer programs can help to find if all the words are in the original text, or were added by the translators. Most times these additions by the translators are quite logical and necessary, but sometimes they cause more confusion than clarity.
It’s up to you to sort it out. Don’t trust the translators, and don’t trust me either. Trust God, and ask him for understanding. After all, it is his book we are both trying to understand.
Please take the time to read in your own Bible what I quote from scripture. Check to see if I am correct or not. If you think I am wrong, tell me, and we can discuss it.
The major problem I see with people quoting scripture is not the translation of specific words, but that they take a verse out of context with the surrounding verses. They then take that verse and compare it with another verse, also taken out of context. They then use both these verse to prove their point.
This is not an honest, or logical way to read any written text. Yet, that is very often what Biblical scholars actually do! It’s no wonder then that less-learned people follow their example.
To honestly study the scriptures, we need to read each scripture with the surrounding verses, in order to appreciate the meaning of what is being said. Sometimes we even need to read an entire book of the Bible to make sense of one verse, and even then we may still be left scratching our heads!
God is, however, not someone whom we should expect to understand quickly, or easily. It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. (Prov 25:2) It will take a considerable amount of time, and a significant amount of effort on our part to understand him- it’s up to you to determine if eternal life is worth putting in the effort or not.
My son, if you will receive my words and hide my commandments with you, so that you attend to wisdom, you shall extend your heart to understanding; yea, if you cry after knowledge and lift up your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures, then you shall understand the fear of Jehovah and find the knowledge of God. For Jehovah gives wisdom; out of His mouth come knowledge and understanding. (Pro 2:1-6)
Once you have begun this walk with God, by gaining a perspective about how big he is, reading his word, and asking for understanding, then you have begun a lifelong walk.
This journey will not take you around the planet, or to the Sun, but unto eternity with God, and with all people who love God, and are willing to lay down their lives for him.
As we will see throughout this book that, (despite the fact that God is very big, and what he has inspired to be written about him is quite complex), his goal in creating you is for you to develop a friendship with him, and this friendship will last for all eternity.
Thank you, really lovely article! No one can know what Jesus' doctrine and the word actually is except they get it direct from the one & only custodian & by His spirit. It is not to come secondhand, but each for himself must receive it from the Holy spirit. The father & the spirit is the only authority Jesus ever recognised & whoever attempts to set forth His gospel from any other standpoint is in the letter & not the spirit. Gods holy spirit is the outpouring of activity of the living word that brings into us & our spirit life & truth.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
Jesus tells those seeking, asking, knocking and by His word how to approach learning of God. It sets the conditions many may read and never truly grasp or comprehend. It says we must become “spiritual” (1 Cor 3:1) and God is the true Teacher as is the Holy spirit that will guide into all truth (Jn 6:45, John 16:13,Mt 23:8,10). Many know lots about God & about Jesus but do not know Him personally, nor had a personal encounter with him. The spiritual truths of God are only understood through and by His spirit. Not just through our grey matter of consciousness.
But God has revealed them [the things of God] to us through His Spirit. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor 2:12-14
First Corinthians 2 contains some of the clearest explanations spelling out that God’s truth is received and known in the spirit and not first in the carnal mind – the brain, or emotions apart from the spirit. The mind and emotions, as part of a whole person, do of course grasp and contemplate truth. They are meant to work in harmony with the spirit. But they are to serve the spirit. We are warned & encouraged not to “quench” the Spirit.
The Bible is given by inspiration of God for our learning, but its Author requires one come on His terms, and with the right attitude of heart. Learning Gods truths is nothing like ordinary learning. Take for instance the authors of medical school textbooks are just human beings and could not know why someone wants to understand their books. But the Author of the Bible & His word is living and alive and not just dead black ink on white paper. Heavenly father is the all-knowing God. He monitors our deepest thoughts while we read and knows us better than we do. He cares a lot about our motives of heart. The Bible says this in no uncertain terms. But God has revealed them [the things of God] to us through His Spirit.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; The whole purpose of learning about God is so we may know Him and serve Him in spirit and truth with no ulterior motives. As we read He works upon our hearts and minds. He separates our carnal flesh from the things of the spirit, renewing our minds in Him through the washing of the water of his word & spirit. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Heb 4:12-13
God knows who these people are. He is kind & patient with those who He knows want to agree with Him and come to Him on His terms.
And Jesus said His sheep know His voice and do not heed a stranger. If one does not know Jesus’ voice, he or she is not where they need to be. Jesus says one cannot “see” or “enter” the kingdom of God unless he or she is born again. This has not stopped those who do not know this miraculous experience from talking about the things of Christianity and God. But you must be born again to see what God would have you know.
Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 18:2-3
One must be converted and become as a little child. Even if a person is old in this life, he or she must become humble, & be willing to be humbled by God and to be repented, which means changing ones mind into coming into agreement with God's ways of thinking and his mind. Jesus said, or they “will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
It follows that a little child as described is to also to be teachable and know a whole new life is ahead that he or she knows nothing yet about. This is a life in Christ, in the Spirit, learning the ways and means of God’s eternal kingdom.
Mark 8:35 – For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.
When Jesus talks of losing our life, He means the life of our personal desires and pursuits and all our self serving will that serves us above God's will. A variation of this verse is in all four gospels! (John 12:25, Matthew 16:25, Luke 9:24,17:33, Mark 8:35) Jesus said those who will follow him must count the cost and pick up their cross and follow him continually.
Jesus Christ assumes anyone who calls him or herself “Christian” is a “disciple” and covenanting with Him~Life for Life. Entering into his blood covenant. He expects absolute subjection, submission surrender, and obedience which are an outflow of a love He plants in them. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Gal 5:16-18 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom 8:14
God counsels the wicked to forsake their evil ways and the unrighteous to forsake their thoughts. (Isaiah 55:6-7)
This can apply even to one called a Christian who is wrong in heart or motives, or who is in a state of unrepentant habitual sin.
Inasmuch as any person dwells in and operates from his or her fallen mind, & flesh this scripture passage applies to them. God says His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and His ways are higher than our ways. No one can judge against Him – alleging He is unfair, or not good. This is more preposterous than an ant trying to tell a human being its business. God has all sovereign right to set the terms of a life in Him. He made us. He alone is good. He requires us to be submissive and want only to hear from Him.
To enter into covenant with Jesus Christ & father in Heaven & to be Holy spirit infilled and indwelt is as entering into a marriage. It is supposed to be an intimate union of love, agreement, growth in intimacy trust, the lifeblood of unceasing communication and dependability. A separation from the ungodly degenerate world, no longer conformed to the patterns of this world, but being transformed. The New Testament or Covenant declares Christians who are in Christ Jesus are to be as a woman engaged betrothed and awaiting to be married to the One she loves. May the grace and blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you in abundance.
Well done!