I am studying Dallas Willard’s book, Life Without Lack: Living in the Fullness of Psalm 23. The author recommended memorizing the 23rd Psalm. I now recite it to myself when I wake up at night and want to quiet my mind.
The first chapter is about the Lord our God. With our limited minds and senses, we can’t form a complete, realistic conception of God. Jesus Christ, through his example and his teaching, showed us what God is like in a way we can understand.
Our minds are our portal to God
Willard says that the most important thing about you is your mind, and the most important thing about your mind is what you think about. When you keep your mind focused on God, he will make himself known to you.
Willard says that when we are wounded, it may cause us to become self-obsessed. I think human beings are naturally self-centered, whether or not we’ve been injured. There are many things that keep us from thinking about God – pride and selfish ambition, greed, envy, and self-indulgence. Even the concerns of daily life cause us to focus on ourselves.
God’s invisible qualities
God is invisible. But his invisible attributes are made known to us by creation. Through the things he has made, we can see his power, his glory, his creativity, and his intelligence.
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Romans 1:20
God is personal. He wants to have a relationship with us. He has personality. He thinks. He creates. He values. He feels.
God is energy
The powerful forces of the natural world – the sun, wind, thunder, and lightening – give us just a glimpse of God’s energy. God is energy in a form that is incomprehensible to us because it is so immense.
Willard noted that when the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, God’s presence was made known by a pillar of clouds by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21). John the Baptist said that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (Luke 3:16).
When we make contact with God, a flow of energy comes to us.
Dallas Willard
When God speaks, his voice is a form of energy that becomes matter. He spoke our world into existence. Jesus turned energy into matter when he multiplied fish and bread to feed thousands of people (Matthew 14). Power flowed from the body of Jesus when he healed a bleeding woman who touched him (Mark 5:25-30).
God’s names
The meaning of the names used for God in the Old Testament reveal truths about who God is. Yahweh means that God brings into existence or causes to be. Elohim refers to his creative strength, power, and majesty. Adonai means my Lord or master. El Shaddai means Almighty God or the All Sufficient One. When Moses asked God what he should say if the Israelites asked, “What is his name?” (Exodus 3), God said I am who I am. The name Immanuel means God with us (Isaiah 7:14).
The Lord’s prayer says, “Hallowed be thy name.” To know God, we must keep these truths about who he is in our minds at all times.
Adonai is my shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.
Immanuel leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For El Shaddai is with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Jesus prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies. You annoint my head with oil. My cup overflows!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of Yahweh forever.
Innermost Being 