WHAT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING ABOUT GOD?

God, when He created human beings, it was so ordained that, God would be the central to our life and our living. Hence, knowing God and understanding who He is, what He thinks, and why does He do things, the way He does, is absolutely essential for us.

On 29 November in 1757, a good 268 years ago, Henry Steele, the father of English Baptist hymnwriter Anne Steele, records these precious words in his diary, which help us gain an insight into his understanding of God and essential things related to it. 
– “This day Nanny sent a part of her compositions to London to be printed. I entreat a gracious God, who enabled and stirred her up to such a work, to direct her in it, and to bless it for the good and comfort of many. I pray God to make it useful, and to keep her humble.” – Henry Steele’s journal

The above words speak volumes about the deep and rich understanding of Henry Steele, about his God. This is so very essential for a steady and balanced spiritual life. Many wade into the shallow waters of knowing God, and assume that, this is all that is there to knowing God. Sadly, when we do so, our spiritual life too, will be shallow, and will be pushed around by every wave that hits us, and every gale that blows over us, in life.

Let us look closer at what Henry Steele had written down in his diary, this day in 1757.
1- I ENTREAT A GRACIOUS GOD
The words “ENTREAT” and “GRACIOUS GOD” reveals his perspective and his attitude. 

“ENTREAT” speaks that we cannot force God into doing anything. We can only “ENTREAT” – Ask, Request, Beg and Plead – with all EARNESTNESS and HUMILITY. Henry Steele understood this very well.
– “22 Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD.” – Zechariah 8:22

The other word that Henry Steele uses is “GRACIOUS” reflecting his deep understanding of who GOD is, which tells us about God’s heart, and His approach towards dealing with the fallen human beings. God is GRACIOUS – the undeserved divine favor, kindness, help, provision and protection, given freely for someone who is utterly undeserving.
– “8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. 9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” – Psalm 145:8-9

Let us pause here, for this morning, and meditate upon the words, “ENTREAT” and “GRACIOUS. Let us take a peek into our own hearts and minds, and ponder to see, what kind of an understanding do we actually hold about our God. The rest of the study we will continue in the coming days. Even so, the LORD help us.