God 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.
God is active by nature
He actively works out his purposes
John 5:17 See also Numbers 23:19; Psalm 115:3; Proverbs 16:4; Isaiah 43:13
But Jesus answered them, “To this very day My Father is at His work, and I too am working.”
His names reflect his activity and involvement in his people's lives
Genesis 22:14 “The LORD Will Provide”; Exodus 15:26 “The LORD, who heals you”; Exodus 17:15 “The LORD is my Banner”: this title emphasises that God is like a warrior who champions his people's cause; Psalm 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
Isaiah 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 Genesis 1:3; Ezekiel 37:4, Ezekiel 37:7
For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.
God is active in the creation
In making the universe
Nehemiah 9:6 See also Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:31, Genesis 2:2, Genesis 5:1–2; Psalm 102:25; Amos 4:13; Acts 17:24; Revelation 4:11
You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You.
In sustaining the created order
Psalm 103:19 See also Psalm 104:10–17, Psalm 107:33–35; Matthew 6:28–30; Acts 14:17; Ephesians 1:11; Colossians 1:16–17
The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.
In bringing about changes in the weather
Job 37:10, Job 38:22–30, Job 38:34–35; Psalm 107:25, Psalm 147:8; Matthew 5:45; Acts 14:17
In the stars and other heavenly bodies
Job 38:31–33; Psalm 104:19, Psalm 147:4; Isaiah 40:26; James 1:17
In the animal creation
Job 39:1–30, Job 40:15–24, Job 41:1–11; Psalm 104:20–27, Psalm 147:9; Matthew 10:29 parallel Luke 12:6
God is active in Israel's history
In the calling and creation of Israel as a people
Exodus 6:6–8 See also Genesis 12:1–3; Exodus 19:3–6; Deuteronomy 4:32–34; Isaiah 51:2; Ezekiel 16:6–7; Hosea 11:1–4; Malachi 2:10
Therefore tell the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD!’”
In saving and delivering his people
Psalm 106:2 This verse introduces a psalm which recounts the history of God's dealings with his people. See also Exodus 33:16–17; 2 Samuel 7:7–11; 1 Kings 18:36–38; Psalm 28:8–9, Psalm 107:2–3
Who can describe the mighty acts of the LORD or fully proclaim His praise?
In judgment
Numbers 25:3–4; 1 Samuel 2:25, 1 Samuel 12:16–18; 2 Samuel 21:1
In bringing victory in battle
Exodus 14:27–28, Exodus 17:8–16; Numbers 21:1–3; Joshua 6:2, Joshua 10:30; Judges 7:9, Judges 7:22; 1 Samuel 17:47; 2 Chronicles 20:22–23
In raising up and sending leaders to the people
2 Samuel 7:8–9; 2 Chronicles 24:19; Esther 4:14; Jeremiah 7:25; Zechariah 7:7
God is active in the nations of the world
His rule over the nations
Psalm 22:28 See also Genesis 11:8; Deuteronomy 32:8; Judges 2:20–23; Job 12:23; Psalm 46:8–10, Psalm 66:7; Isaiah 41:2; Acts 17:26
For dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations.
Examples of nations through which God acts
Assyria: 2 Kings 17:18–23; Isaiah 28:11; 2 Kings 24:10–14; 2 Chronicles 36:15–18; 2 Chronicles 36:22–23 parallel Ezra 1:1–4 Persia
God is active in human life
He determines the course of human lives
Acts 17:28 See also 1 Chronicles 29:12; Psalm 8:3–4, Psalm 75:6–7, Psalm 139:16; Luke 1:52; John 1:4
‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’
Examples of God's intervention in human lives
Numbers 22:21–23 Balaam; 1 Samuel 1:19–20 Hannah; 2 Kings 5:14–15 Naaman; Jonah 1:17 Jonah; Acts 9:3–6, Acts 13:1–3, Acts 16:6, Acts 16:10
God is active in Jesus Christ's ministry
Acts 10:38 See also Luke 5:17, Luke 11:20; John 3:2, John 5:17–19, John 9:3–4, John 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:19
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.
God is active through the Holy Spirit
Genesis 1:2; 2 Kings 2:16; Ezekiel 8:3, Ezekiel 11:1, Ezekiel 43:5
God is active in the church
1 Corinthians 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 Corinthians 14:24–25; Galatians 2:8, Galatians 3:5; Ephesians 3:10, Ephesians 3:20–21; Philippians 1:6, Philippians 2:13
There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.