Have you ever wondered about the God you pray to? What is His nature? What are His characteristics? Who is He? I'm fascinated with the names of God that answer these questions. We call Him:
1. God (Elohim) which recognizes Him as the Sovereign, Powerful, Creator of the universe.
2. Lord (Adonai) which recognizes Him as the Master, Ruler and Owner of everything.
3. Jehovah (the self-existing Lord) which recognizes Him as being eternal, faithful and changeless.
4. Jehovah-Jireh - who is the Lord our Provider.
5. Jehovah-Rophe who is the Lord our Healer.
6. Jehovah-Nisse who is the Lord our Banner.
7. Jehovah-M'Kaddesh who is the Lord who sanctifies.
8. Jehovah-Shalom who is the Lord our Peace.
9. Jehovah-Rohi who is the Lord our Shepherd.
10. Jehovah-Tsidkenu who is the Lord our Righteousness.
11. Jehovah-Shammah who is the Lord who is there.
12. El-Shaddai who is God Almighty. He is powerful, capable, and willing to supply our needs.
As I think of these precious names and look back over my life, I see His characteristics in every incident and situation. He created me in my mother's womb and made me fearfully and wonderfully in His image. He is the Master of my body, mind and soul. I recognize Him as being a faithful God who renews my strength every morning and a changeless God who is the same as He was yesterday, today and eternally.
When I'm in need of money, means, physical stamina, friendship, encouragement, whatever I need, He provides. I may be sick in my body, mind or spirit, but He brings healing to my emotions even if not to my body. When I find myself battling the issues of life, I can rest assured that God has already gone before me as my banner of victory. He has set me apart as His child and given me peace that I cannot explain.
Just like a child, I need someone to watch over me as a shepherd. He watches over me with his rod in one hand to beat off the enemy and His staff in the other to grab me back when I attempt to stray. There is no greater example of right living than that of Jesus Christ who lived among us experiencing all we experience and more. He walks before us as the only true Righteous person who ever lived. He is our example.
It's calming to know that I cannot go anywhere without Him. If I go to heaven He's there. If I go to hell, He's there. Psalm 139:7-12 proclaims, "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascent into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, 'Surely the darkness shall fall on me.' Even the night shall be light about me; indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You. But the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You.
You are my El Shaddai, my Almighty God who is ready, willing and able to do exceedingly abundantly over and above anything I can imagine. You are my confidence when I pray.
I urge you to realize that God has great regard to your well-being. He has already done great things for you so you have a history of favor. He is merciful, kind, gentle and compassionate toward you. When you humble yourself before the mighty hand of God, He will hear and answer your prayers.
1 Chronicles 29:11-12 declares, "Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine: thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. But riches and honor come from thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and give strength unto all."
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