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What a Great God!
Revelation 2:9
"I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan."
In the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation, God reveals Himself to John by showing us four great attributes about Himself. In the writing of this book, John was exiled on the isle of Patmos for preaching the Word of God. You must realize that John is experiencing persecution, and God is using this opportunity to reveal Himself to one of His chosen saints. This revelation of Himself to John is certainly helpful for us as we look at the greatness of God. There are four things that God says about Himself in these chapters that should be encouraging, and yet convicting to you as a Christian.
First, God calls Himself the "I am." Several times in the first chapter you will see this phrase. What is so encouraging about this phrase is that God did not say, "I was," but He said about Himself, "I am." Christian, God is a present tense God. He is the God Who is very present in all of your needs. It doesn't matter what you may be facing today, you can rest assured that God is present with you to help you through your rough times. It matters not where you live, God is an ever present God to help you through all of your troubles. He isn't just a God Who helped people in the past, but He is a God Who is presently able to help you with whatever you face today.
Second, God says, "I know." Not only is God a present God, but He is a God Who is an all-knowing God. As you can see from the Scriptures, He knows all that you do. This can be convicting or encouraging depending upon what actions you take part in. If you are living in sin, He knows. If you are doing right and wonder if anyone notices, rest assured that God knows. He knows whens others do not notice what you do for Him. He knows how you feel as you go through trials. He knows your fears and concerns of each day. He is a God Who knows everything that you do and think. Christian, you may feel like it is worthless to do right, but let me remind you that God knows.
Third, God says, "I have." We can look at this phrase in two different ways. First, God reminded the churches that He had "somewhat against" them. Oh, how you should desire not to live your life so that God would have something against you. Life is hard enough without God having something against you. If you are doing wrong, then immediately get it right so that God won't hold that against you. But, we can also look at this phrase and see that God is a resourceful God. He has the resources to meet all of your needs. Your needs may be great, but God is greater than your needs, and He has the resources to meet them. You need not worry, God is capable of taking care of you.
Last, God says, "I will." This little phrase reminds me that God is a God of action. He will bless you if you do right. There are many who think that God sits on the sidelines and lets life play its way through, but according to the Scriptures, God is a God Who is very involved in the lives of His children. He will bless them if they do right, and He will punish them if they do wrong. If you do right, He will be there for you to help you through any obstacles you may face. Ask God for His help in all that you do because He is a God Who will.
Take these four phrases and remember that God is a great God. Everyday, remember that God is, God knows, God has and God will. These four thoughts should help you to realize that you serve a great God.