Our infinite, personal God

I was reading a book by Paul Miller this morning called A Praying Life. I highly recommend it.

In one chapter, he emphasizes two things about God. He emphasizes his infiniteness, but also just how personal he is to us. And when we forget to keep a balance of both perspectives in our lives, it affects our prayer life.

If on one hand, we forget he is infinite, we limit in our minds what God can do.

If on the other hand, we forget how personal he is to us, we start to limit what we pray to him because we think he doesn’t care about the “minutia” in our lives.

And yet God cares about everything we do. If you have any doubt about that, just reread Psalm 139 again.

But here in Psalm 145, we see that David had no problem maintaining this balance of perspectives. He talks about God’s greatness, singing,

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.

One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.

They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works. (Psalm 145:3–5)

Yet time and again, he talks about how personal he is to us.

The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. (8)

And in verse 9,

The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

He goes on in verses 13–16,

The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.

The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

And in verses 18–20, he sings,

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

The LORD watches over all who love him…

Is it no wonder that David starts this psalm by singing,

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.

Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. (1–2)

How about you? Do you believe that God is infinite? That he can deal with whatever mountain may be standing in your life? That he can deal with any enemy that may come against you?

And do you believe that he actually cares enough about you that he would actually act on your behalf?

Let us never forget the infiniteness of God, but also just how personally he cares for us.