WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL, 24TH OCTOBER - " THE NAMES OF GOD"

Hello, friends.

I hope you had a blessed week, rejoicing in the redemption that comes through Christ.

This week we deal with the names of God. Did you know that the Bible has several names for God that describe his character, attributes, and power?

This week we will look at a few of these names.

1. Yahweh (YHWH, Jehovah)
Yahweh is the proper name for God. In the Bible times, the Israelites were afraid to say this name because of what it signified. Yahweh refers to presence and immediacy. Yahweh is accessible, present and near to those who call on him for help and deliverance. How do we react to such a holy presence? With awe, fear and adoration.

Exodus 3:14 "God replied to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." Say this to the people of Israel, I AM has sent me to you."

Moses was afraid to speak to the Israelites, so he asked God, "Who should I say has sent me?" God sent Moses to tell the Israelites that Yahweh had sent him and that his presence would be with them.

Are you facing a challenge that appears too hard to handle? Don't be afraid. Call on Yahweh. He will send his presence to be with you.

2. Jehovah Rohi
Jehovah Rohi means The Lord is my Shepherd. The job of a Shepherd is to tend his sheep or his master's sheep. The shepherd takes them to good feeding places, fetches water for them and protects them from danger. They become like his family because he spends most of his time with them.

Jacob referred to God as his shepherd in the verses below.

Genesis 48:15 "May the God before whom my grandfather Abraham and my father, Isaac, walked - the God who has been my shepherd all my life, to this very day..." (NLT)

Jacob acknowledged that God had taken care of him all his life. As our shepherd, God makes sure that we are cared for physically and spiritually.

Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need." (NLT)

David wrote these words as he reflected on his relationship with the Lord. He noted that just as he would do anything for his sheep, God would, in turn, do anything for him.

In John chapter 10 Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd. 

John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep." (NLT)

Jesus gave his life for us, his beloved sheep. He also promises to protect us from danger because we belong to him.

3. Jehovah Shalom
Jehovah-Shalom means the Lord is Peace.  These words first appeared in Old Testament. Gideon saw the Lord's angel face to face, and was sure that he was going to die. He asked the Lord for help. 

Judges 6:23-24a "It is all right," the Lord replied."Do not be afraid. You will not die." And Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and named it Yahweh-Shalom (which means 'the LORD is peace') (NLT)

Gideon was so comforted by this reassurance from the Lord that he built an altar as a reminder that Jehovah was his peace.

Peace is not just the absence of confusion and turmoil. Peace is also the feeling of wholeness and harmony with oneself and others. Ultimate peace comes from God.  

John 14:27 "I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." (NLT)

When you face difficulties, focus on God. His peace will carry you through.

Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" (NLT)

2 Thessalonians 3:16 "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all." (NLT)

Let the God of peace give you HIS peace. 

May God be Yahweh (accessible and present), Rohi (your shepherd) and Shalom ( your peace) all through this week. Amen.