In the Book of Exodus, 34:6-7 we have a detailed description of five aspects or characteristics of God. These are not how man sees God, but how God sees God, as He described Himself to Moses:

“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.”

From His own description of Himself, we can understand directly how God wants us to recognise Him:

1) God is merciful.
2) God is gracious.
3) God is patient.
4) God is abundant in goodness.
5) God is abundant in truth.

Without doubt, there are the five most important aspects of God, for they are from His own mouth as He described Himself. When we approach God, therefore, we need to be aware of these characteristics and the ordering of them, for if the ordering is important to God, it must also be important for us.

Above all, God is Merciful. This is a characteristic which ultimately resides in a head of state. It is the head of state – the ruler – the king – in whose name all laws are promulgated and exercised, who ultimately is the one who condemns and pardons. It is only the one in whose name condemnation is brought, who has the power of mercy.

This is also mirrored in the God’s dwelling location, in both The Tabernacle of Moses and in The Temple of Solomon. In both, God dwelt over the Mercy Seat.

Let us all, as born-again Christians, align our priorities toward God as God aligned His own: for God is Merciful, Gracious, Patient and Abundant in Goodness and Truth.

Heavenly Father,
As I read Your characteristics from Your own word, I recognise that they are not the ones I have presumed to place upon, or extend to You. I ask for Your forgiveness. I recognise now more clearly how You see Yourself and I recognise that I too must see You in the same manner. Your words warm my heart and give meaning to my life. Please Lord, continue to correct me and to teach me, that I may become more like Jesus, day by day.
In Jesus name I pray. Amen and Amen.