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from Cossondra When I was younger, and my parents wanted to get my attention, they used both my first and middle names. Admittedly, sometimes it was because I was in trouble, but it did seem to work every time! Have you ever prayed by calling the specific names of God? According to some sources, there are hundreds of names of God in the Bible. Some of these are combinations of His names, but they all are essential parts of who our God is. Recently, we have talked about our names, the names of people in the Bible, and what they mean. We have discussed their descriptive impacts and how they can prophesy purposes. Today, we will look closer at the names of God, see how He is described, and what it signifies when we call on Him by using those names. All of us have a thousand facets of who we are. We might be a child, a spouse, and a parent. But that's not all. We could also be employees, employers, drivers, cooks, encouragers, teachers, dancers, writers, and so much more. God has many facets, too. And the Hebrew language is so descriptive that it uses those parts of who He is in naming him. Some names describe who He is, and some describe what he does for his children. So, let's look at it in from the aspect of a good father. He is loving, kind, calm, patient, and mighty. Because of those things, he helps, provides, feeds, rescues, and disciplines his children. These are some names that His children used to glorify him. Elohim (God) is the name given to God found in the very first verse of Genesis. Elohim declares God the one ruler over all. First seen in Genesis 2 is Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah). It is the promised proper name of God and means Lord and Master. Another name of God first used in Genesis is El Elyon (The Most High God). In this first book of the Bible, there is no doubt who our God is -- He is our Lord and Master, the one high God. But further into the scriptures, we discover more about this all-powerful God. Although magnificent and mighty, He takes time to love and care for His children. In Genesis 16, Hagar calls him El Roi (The God Who Sees Me). Sarai is mistreating Hagar, even though she is pregnant by Abram at Sarai's behest. Finally, tired of being abused, the servant runs into the wilderness to escape the couple mistreating her. However, even as Hagar thinks she has been abandoned by those she could rely on, the angel of the Lord comes to encourage her. In their conversation, she declares, "You are the God who sees me." Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide) occurs in Genesis 22. Abraham gives God this name after He provides a ram in the bushes to take the place of Isaac in the sacrifice on Mount Moriah. As faithfully as Abraham followed God's instructions, he praises God for providing a way for the sacrifice to happen without Isaac. God names himself Jehovah Rapha (The Lord Who Heals You) in a conversation with Moses in Exodus 15 when He promises the Israelites that He will not put diseases on them as He did the Egyptians. How amazing that The Most High God, The Lord of Hosts, is also a God who sees us, is there with us, provides for us, and heals us. Hagar isn't the only child God sees. He sees you, too. Have you ever prayed by proclaiming the specific names of God? Have you called on Jehova Rapha when sick or Jehova Jireh when in need? Prophesy by speaking the names of God! He knows who He is. Remind him that you do, too!
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