Activity of God
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· 5 viewsGod is not passive or remote from his creation but dynamically involved in all that he has made. In the past, this activity was seen in the history of Israel and in the ministry of Jesus Christ. In the present, God’s activity can be seen in the life of believers and of the church.
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God is active by nature
God is active by nature
He actively works out his purposes
He actively works out his purposes
But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
See also Nu 23:19; Ps 115:3; Pr 16:4; Is 43:13
His names reflect his activity and involvement in his people’s lives
His names reflect his activity and involvement in his people’s lives
Ge 22:14 “The Lord Will Provide”; Ex 15:26 “The Lord, who heals you”; Ex 17:15 “The Lord is my Banner”: this title emphasises that God is like a warrior who champions his people’s cause; Ps 95:6 “The Lord our Maker”: the Hebrew word used does not refer to original creation but to the way in which God is fashioning a people for himself.
His word is active
His word is active
Is 55:10–11 The Hebrew for “word” can also be translated “deed” or “action”. God’s word is not merely a communication of abstract truth but a powerful force active in the world.
See also Ge 1:3; Eze 37:4; Eze 37:7
God is active in the creation
God is active in the creation
In making the universe
In making the universe
“You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.
See also Ge 1:1; Ge 1:31; Ge 2:2; Ge 5:1–2; Ps 102:25; Am 4:13; Ac 17:24; Re 4:11
In sustaining the created order
In sustaining the created order
The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
See also Ps 104:10–17; Ps 107:33–35; Mt 6:28–30; Ac 14:17; Eph 1:11; Col 1:16–17
In bringing about changes in the weather
In bringing about changes in the weather
Job 37:10; Job 38:22–30; Job 38:34–35; Ps 107:25; Ps 147:8; Mt 5:45; Ac 14:17
In the stars and other heavenly bodies
In the stars and other heavenly bodies
Job 38:31–33; Ps 104:19; Ps 147:4; Is 40:26; Jas 1:17
In the animal creation
In the animal creation
Job 39:1–30; Job 40:15–24; Job 41:1–11; Ps 104:20–27; Ps 147:9; Mt 10:29
God is active in Israel’s history
God is active in Israel’s history
In the calling and creation of Israel as a people
In the calling and creation of Israel as a people
Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the Lord.’ ”
See also Ge 12:1–3; Ex 19:3–6; Dt 4:32–34; Is 51:2; Eze 16:6–7; Ho 11:1–4; Mal 2:10
In saving and delivering his people
In saving and delivering his people
Ps 106:2 This verse introduces a psalm which recounts the history of God’s dealings with his people.
See also Ex 33:16–17; 2 Sa 7:7–11; 1 Ki 18:36–38; Ps 28:8–9; Ps 107:2–3
In judgment
In judgment
Nu 25:3–4; 1 Sa 2:25; 1 Sa 12:16–18; 2 Sa 21:1
In bringing victory in battle
In bringing victory in battle
Ex 14:27–28; Ex 17:8–16; Nu 21:1–3; Jos 6:2; Jos 10:30; Jdg 7:9; Jdg 7:22; 1 Sa 17:47; 2 Ch 20:22–23
In raising up and sending leaders to the people
In raising up and sending leaders to the people
2 Sa 7:8–9; 2 Ch 24:19; Es 4:14; Je 7:25; Zec 7:7
God is active in the nations of the world
God is active in the nations of the world
His rule over the nations
His rule over the nations
For kingship belongs to the Lord,
and he rules over the nations.
See also Ge 11:8; Dt 32:8; Jdg 2:20–23; Job 12:23; Ps 46:8–10; Ps 66:7; Is 41:2; Ac 17:26
Examples of nations through which God acts
Examples of nations through which God acts
Assyria:
Assyria:
2 Ki 17:18–23; Is 28:11
Babylon:
Babylon:
2 Ki 24:10–14; 2 Ch 36:15–18
2 Ch 36:22–23 Persia
God is active in human life
God is active in human life
He determines the course of human lives
He determines the course of human lives
for
“ ‘In him we live and move and have our being’;
as even some of your own poets have said,
“ ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
See also 1 Ch 29:12; Ps 8:3–4; Ps 75:6–7; Ps 139:16; Lk 1:52; Jn 1:4
Examples of God’s intervention in human lives
Examples of God’s intervention in human lives
Nu 22:21–23 Balaam; 1 Sa 1:19–20 Hannah; 2 Ki 5:14–15 Naaman; Jon 1:17 Jonah
Paul:
Paul:
Ac 9:3–6; Ac 13:1–3; Ac 16:6; Ac 16:10
God is active in Jesus Christ’s ministry
God is active in Jesus Christ’s ministry
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
See also Lk 5:17; Lk 11:20; Jn 3:2; Jn 5:17–19; Jn 9:3–4; Jn 14:10; 2 Co 5:19
God is active through the Holy Spirit
God is active through the Holy Spirit
Ge 1:2; 2 Ki 2:16; Eze 8:3; Eze 11:1; Eze 43:5
God is active in the church
God is active in the church
1 Co 12:6 This verse comes in the context of teaching about the body of Christ and the gifts which the Spirit gives to the church.
See also 1 Co 14:24–25; Ga 2:8; Ga 3:5; Eph 3:10; Eph 3:20–21; Php 1:6; Php 2:13