The Ministry Worker’s Devotional: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God likens the individual attributes of God to rocks upon which we can stand. Put all those rocks together and we have a mighty fortress in our God! With all we have coming against us in ministry, it only makes sense, then, that we study the character of God.
How Studying the Character of God Benefits Us in Ministry
Knowing God in the fullness of who He is, His character and ways, leads to a healthy, reverential fear of God that will provide you with the following:
A base from which to make wise decisions. There is so much to do and so little time to do it in. What should be priority? From all the good choices, which is best?
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (See Ps. 111:10; Prov. 1:7; 9:10; 15:33)
A standard to keep you on course. In ministry it is so easy to hop on the bandwagon of current ministry trends or fads. The broad way is not always the right way for you (Matt. 7:13-14; Prov. 14:12).
To the one who fears the Lord, “He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.” (See Ps. 25:12; 33:8-11)
A compass for morality. Just because you are in Christian ministry doesn’t mean you will avoid temptations. The lure to follow the ways of the world is great. The pull of the flesh can be strong. The tendencies to boast won’t let go.
“Through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil.” (See Prov. 8:13-14; 16:6; 23:17)
A means to a life worth living. Sometimes ministry brings little earthly reward or applause. When you fear the Lord, you can rise above and find meaning, contentment, and satisfaction nonetheless.
“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life.” (See Prov. 10:27; 14:27; 19:23; 22:4)
A bolster to confident living. Security breeds confidence. If you rest in the power and protection of the Lord, you can firmly stand and move out with competence knowing He will be there for you. He is your sufficiency.
“He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress.” (See Prov. 14:26)
A source of comfort and hope in times of trouble. Things don’t always go as planned. Sometimes you will make mistakes. Sometimes you will meet with opposition. You have an enemy who wants to thwart God’s plan in your life and ministry. But, “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31)
“The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, … to deliver them …” (See Ps. 22:23-24; 33:18-22; 34:7)
A path to intimacy with God. Do you want to know God’s ways? Do you want to know His will? Get to know His heart. Get to know His character. Get to know who He is.
“The Lord confides in those who fear him.” (See Ps. 25:14)
Check out the Ministry Workers Devotional for how specific character traits of God relate to serving.
Get a broader view of the character of God in the Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool Download. You’ll find an alphabetical listing of His attributes as well as another list that describes the kind of God it would take to create the heavens and earth. In addition, this resource looks at our Triune God with how God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit works on our behalf with an alphabetical listing for each member of the Godhead.