Who is this God I Depend Upon?

Have you ever concluded a prayer time with the tag-on, “In Jesus’ Name”?  Yeah, me too. I mean sometimes I pray, and beg, and plead for His intervention in a difficult situation as if He is an unreachable God. And when I don’t see immediate answers, I resort to praying more fervently with the same repeated phrases, not withholding tears. I might lie prostrate on the floor, in a flattening and humble position. Or maybe I’ll pace and raise my voice an octave higher.  Yet, sadly, I have arisen from that stance feeling more exhausted than refreshed or encouraged.

What’s come to mind recently as I’ve been involved in a group bible/book study is how desperately I try to control outcomes, while simultaneously begging God to move on my behalf. I seek to know His will and His ways, but barely know His character. And in that lack, I react.

I react out of fear (that is quite the motivator).

And sometimes I react out of desperation.

Rarely do I react out of faith and trust.

But I want my prayers and responses to be from a base of trust. And I can trust what I know to be true. And If I cannot trust in the Creator God who fearfully and wonderfully made me and took on the torturous cross for my sake, I probably don’t really  know Him like I think I do.

So who is He? I submit to you the following and I encourage you to seek the face of THIS God, of OUR God when in prayer and in praise, and when in confusion and chaos. This is not an exhaustive list and it does not even mention all the names of Jesus. But it’s a start (a good start, at that). I’ve also kept the description simple and to the point (yet all have scriptural bases) so that you can easily see glimpses of His greatness.

HE IS:

~Elohim: “The Strong Creator God” He makes a way when there seems to be no way. He makes something out of nothing.

~Adonai: “Lord of All” Even the most tenacious evil cannot stand against the ultimate Ruler. He is over every situation you encounter over every dark force in the demonic world.

~El Roi: “The God Who Sees Me” You are known, considered, seen, and not invisible. He has not forgotten you.

~”El Shaddai:  “God Almighty” He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, more than we can ask or think. When we are weak, He is strong and this same power that raised Christ from the dead is available in every situation we encounter.

~Yahweh-Shalom: “The God of Peace” Press into Him when anxiety rises. Though circumstances may not change, He will give you a peace that passes your understanding. His peace goes beyond human reason.

~Yaweh-Rapha: “The God Who heals” If your health issues seem out of control, He is the healer of all our diseases, physical and mental.

~Yahweh-M’Kaddesh: “The Lord Who Sanctifies” He is working in you even when you feel you are failing miserably, and He will be faithful to complete that work.

~Yahweh-Jirah: “The Lord Will Provide” When you feel lacking (time, strength, finances, wisdom, ability, etc) He is a God of abundance who can supply your every need according to His riches.

~Yahweh-Raah: “The Lord is my Shepherd” He leads me when I have lost my way. He guides when I’m confused and need to make difficult decisions. He comforts me when I’m in distress. He gives me rest when I’m battle-worn. He nourishes me when I feel empty. He gives me a secure place, even in the midst of opposition. He reminds me that He has me here and now and forevermore.

Sitting encircled with women who love Jesus yet struggle in more ways than I could count simply because they are fellow sojourners, prone to the pain of the human condition, I saw hope arise as these majestic names were pored over.  Each was encouraged by a particular aspect of the character of God, as presented by His Name.

And, I believe, hope will be ignited with this revelation as we enter the throne of grace, simply because we have become familiar with the WHO, the object of our petitions and intercession.