7 Ways God Relates to Us in Our Daily Lives in Good Times and in Difficult Times

Our relationship with God often changes depending on what is happening in our lives. This is no different from our relationships with our parents, siblings, friends, coworkers, acquaintances, and even how we react to strangers. How we see the world and how we relate to others tends to be influenced by our experiences in life whether they are good or bad. As we grow, however, our relationship with God can become less fickle and less dependent on our circumstances.

 

Our concept of God has been shaped by what we have been taught about Him, our experience, and how we have seen those around us relate to Him. The Bible teaches us that God is unchanging, so it is our understanding of who He is that changes over time. As we read the bible and learn more about Him, and as our own experiences in life broaden, so too does our understanding of who He is. We may experience Him in different roles in our lives at different times. As we grow closer and closer to Him, we learn how He speaks to us and how to respond in different situations. God does relate to us collectively like He did with the children of Israel, but we have seen in the Bible how He related to specific individuals. No two persons have exactly the same walk with God. This is why your walk with God is a personal experience. We each have our own unique way of relating to Him and He relates to us individually also.

When you know who God is to you and truly accept Him, every area of your life will be impacted. Here are seven ways in which He relates to us:

  

1. Savior

A well-known example of God's saving work is the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22. God tested Abraham's faith by asking him to sacrifice his only son Isaac on a mountain. Abraham obeyed God and prepared to offer Isaac, but God stopped him at the last moment and provided a ram as a substitute. God commended Abraham for his faith and promised to bless him and his descendants. This story foreshadows how God would later offer His own Son Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins on the cross. 

One of the most important roles that God plays in our lives is that of Savior. He saves us from our sins, from death, and from the power of evil. He does this by sending his Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for us and to rise again from the dead. This is the ultimate act of love and grace that shows us how much God values us and wants us to be with him forever. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Another example of God's saving grace is the conversion of Saul, who was a persecutor of Christians until he encountered the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. Saul became Paul, one of the greatest apostles and missionaries of the early church (Acts 9:1-22).

Many times, God has intervened in my life and has saved me from many dangers and issues that I was getting myself into, sometimes when I look back over my life and the things that He has delivered me from I cry thank you, Jesus. Has Jesus intervened in situations in your life?

  

2. Judge

Another role that God plays in our lives is that of Judge. He judges us according to his holy and righteous standards. He knows everything about us, our thoughts, our actions, our motives, and our hearts. He rewards us for what is good and punishes us for what is evil. He does this not because he hates us or wants to harm us, but because he loves us and wants to correct us. Hebrews 12:6 says, "The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son." 

One of the most sobering examples of God's judgment is the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19. These two cities were full of wickedness and immorality, and God decided to destroy them with fire and brimstone. However, God spared Lot and his family, who were righteous in His sight, and sent angels to escort them out of the city. Lot's wife, however, disobeyed God's command not to look back and turned into a pillar of salt. This story warns us of the consequences of sin and the need to obey God's commands. 

Jesus warned that at the end of the age, He will separate the sheep from the goats, and send the righteous to eternal life and the wicked to eternal punishment (Matthew 25:31-46). Another example of God's judgment is the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, which Jesus predicted as a sign of His coming and the end of the age (Matthew 24:1-35).

  

3. Loving and Caring Father

God is also our loving and caring Father. He created us in his image and likeness. He knows us by name and cares for every detail of our lives. He provides for our needs, protects us from danger, guides us in his ways, comforts us in our sorrows, and rejoices with us in our joys. He is always with us and never leaves us nor forsakes us. Psalm 103:13 says, "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." 

One of the most touching examples of God's fatherly love is the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. This parable tells of a younger son who asked for his inheritance from his father and squandered it in a distant country. He ended up in poverty and hunger and decided to return to his father and ask for forgiveness. His father, instead of rejecting him or scolding him, welcomed him with open arms and threw a feast for him. His older brother, however, was jealous and angry and refused to join the celebration. The father then explained to him that he should rejoice because his brother was lost but now found. This story illustrates how God forgives us when we repent and restores us to His family.

I too have done many things not pleasing to Him, but His fatherly love forgives me and corrects and tells me to get up my child keep going forward. What have you done that you know that the Lord forgave because He loves you?

  

4. Provider

God is also our provider. He gives us everything we need for life and godliness. He supplies us with food, clothing, shelter, health, education, work, friends, family, and more. He also gives us spiritual blessings, such as forgiveness, peace, joy, hope, faith, love, wisdom, and more. He is the source of every good and perfect gift that we enjoy. Philippians 4:19 says, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." 

A miraculous example of God's provision is the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings 17. During a severe famine in Israel, God sent Elijah to a widow in a foreign land who had only a handful of flour and a little oil left. Elijah asked her to make him a cake first, and then make some for herself and her son. He promised her that God would not let her flour or oil run out until the famine was over. The widow trusted Elijah's word and did as he said, and she and her household ate for many days from the same jar of flour and jug of oil. This story demonstrates how God rewards our faith and generosity with His abundance. How has Jesus provided for you?

  

5. Healer

God is also our healer. He heals us from our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wounds. He restores us to wholeness and well-being. He does this with his power and by his grace. He sometimes uses natural means, such as medicine or therapy, but he also sometimes performs miracles that defy human explanation. He heals us not only for our own benefit but also for his glory and for the sake of others who need to see his healing power at work in us. Psalm 147:3 says, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

A dramatic example of God's healing power is the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5. Naaman was a Syrian general who had leprosy, a skin disease that made him an outcast in society. He heard that there was a prophet in Israel who could heal him, so he went to see Elisha with gifts and letters from his king. Elisha told him to wash seven times in the Jordan River, but Naaman was offended by this simple instruction and refused to do it. His servants persuaded him to try it anyway, and when he did, his skin became clean like that of a young boy. Naaman then acknowledged that there was no god but the God of Israel and offered gifts to Elisha, but Elisha refused to accept them. This story shows how God heals us not by our merits or methods, but by His grace and word.

  

6. Defender

God is also our defender. He defends us from our enemies who seek to harm us or destroy us. He fights for us against the forces of darkness that oppose his kingdom and his will. He delivers us from evil and sets us free from bondage. He shields us from harm and covers us with his wings. He is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 18:2 says, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge." 

One of the most inspiring examples of God's defense is the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. David was a young shepherd boy who volunteered to face Goliath, a giant Philistine warrior who defied the armies of Israel. David rejected Saul's armor and weapons and chose instead to use his sling and five smooth stones from a brook. He trusted that God would deliver him from Goliath's hand, as He had done before from lions and bears. He ran toward Goliath and slung a stone at his forehead, which sank into his skull and killed him. David then cut off Goliath's head with his own sword and brought it to Saul. This story proves how God can use the weak things of the world to confound the strong, and how He gives us victory over our foes. 

God is the mighty and protective Defender who fights for us against our enemies and delivers us from evil. He also defends our cause and vindicates us from false accusations. One of the most inspiring examples of God's defense is the deliverance of Peter from prison, where an angel freed him from his chains and led him out of jail while his enemies were baffled (Acts 12:1-19). Has He defended you in difficult situations and brought you out?

7. King of kings and Lord of lords

God is not only the Savior, Judge, Father, Provider, Healer, and Defender of His people but also the King of kings and Lord of lords. He reigns over all creation with justice and mercy and invites us to share in His kingdom and glory. The ultimate example of God's kingship is the story of Jesus Christ, who is God in the flesh. Jesus came to earth as a humble servant, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, rose from the dead on the third day, ascended to heaven, and will come again to judge the living and the dead. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning, and the End, the First and the Last. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Experience God in These Roles in Your Life 

These are just some of the stories that reveal who God is and what He does for us. Many more stories in the Bible show us His amazing grace and love. I encourage you to read them for yourself and discover how God fulfills these roles in your life. God loves us and wants to have a relationship with us. 

Although we may think about different parts of our lives as separate, there should really be no difference in our attitudes and actions whether we are at church, school, work or just socializing with family or friends. We should serve God in all aspects of our lives including our thoughts, words we speak, and the things we do. You may not have experienced God in your life in some of the 7 roles discussed, but you may have encountered Him in others not listed. If we want to please Him and worship Him, we should bear in mind that He is not with us sometimes but all the time. He is always present, He knows everything about us, including our thoughts, and what we say and do, and He can do anything. He allows us to make choices, so it is up to us whether or not we allow our relationship with Him to be central in our lives on a daily basis so we can experience Him as our Savior, Judge, Loving and caring Father, Provider, Healer, and Defender.