Our women’s ministry is having a game night. While discussing it with friends, someone said the devotional should be something along the lines of – The Games God Plays With Us. They were joking but it did have me pondering it over the last couple of days. Here is the one big difference between the God of the Bible and other gods: He DOES NOT PLAY GAMES with His followers!

Some of the differences between the world’s gods and the ONE TRUE GOD. (I wasn’t all together familiar with mythic gods, so I did have to research, and the information out there is DEEP. Consider these just rudimentary descriptions. Please.)

Zeus – Greek god. He frequently manipulated events around mortals, heroes and kingdoms. He used storms, disguises and fate to interfere with humans. His concern for mortal conflicts were treated like strategic contests.

Athena – another greek god. She was famous for manipulating or obstructing mortals – depending on what her goals were.

Loki – norse . He’s often referred to as the ultimate trickster god. He manipulated other gods and humans to indulge his bent for chaos, humor or advantage. Serious consequences were often the outcome.

Krishna – Hindu. He played deceptively to teach moral or spiritual lessons. Hindu’s also teaches hindu gods are responsible for the invention of the game of chess – cosmic strategy.

Anansi – West Africa. This is a spider-trickster who constantly outwits humans and gods, using stories, and riddles.

Coyote: Native American – a mischievous creator-trickster who played pranks on humans teaching lessons through chaos.

Raven : Pacific Northwest native americans. The raven is a shapeshifter who manipulates humans with stealing, tricks or simply rearranting the world, to his gain.

These all have at least one thing in common: they used humans for their enjoyment or chaotic purposes. They tricked people and often moved them around as human pawns.

The God of the Bible Yahweh is the exact opposite of these false gods. He is not moody, impulsive or self serving. Instead He is faithful, consistent, slow to anger and abounding in love for his creation – us. When life feels chaotic we don’t have to wonder if our god is messing with us. His character is steadfast and sure. In Malachai He says, “I the Lord do not change.”

Our God doesn’t play temporary games. He makes eternal covenants. God binds Himself to His people with promises He cannot break. He says, “I will be with you.” “I will never leave you or forsake you,” Hebrews 13:5, and my favorite: “I will fight for you; you need only be still.” Exodus 14:14

He’s the God of commitment. Faithful and strong to His people – He even says He’s adopting us into His own family as sons and daughters. 2 Corinthians 6:18 “I will be a Father to you and you will be my sons and daughters.”

While God doesn’t play games with us, try to hurt us, or manipulate us like other gods, He does test us. Games are pointless (unless you win,) but tests have a purpose. That purpose is to cause some kind of growth to happen – spiritually, emotionally, or physically. Tests can strengthen our endurance, give us wisdom and maturity in our Christian walk. He doesn’t test to sit back and watch us struggle; He tests to make us strong. “Consider it joy…because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance…”James 1:2-3

The most important difference between gods and our God as far as game play goes…is our God didn’t create and manipulate us to sit up or back and watch us figure it out.

He came to us as one of us. Unheard of in the land of god-dom.”The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:14

“We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknessess. ” Hebrews 4:15

I know my friends were joking around about the games God plays with us, but I think it’s important to know that our God, the God of the Bible, the Creator of the Universe and everything in it, cares about us and because He does, He cares for us.

Go fish….:)