The Names of God
Sharon W. Betters
TODAY’S TREASURE
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you” (Psalm 9:10).
Often the word Yahweh is combined with other words that give us an even more intimate glimpse into His heart. These are just a few of the names Jesus claims for Himself, another indication that Jesus and God are one:
Yahweh-Roi – God is our Shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1
Jesus our Shepherd: John 10:10
Yahweh-Mekaddishikem – Our Sanctifier
Say to the Israelites, You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the LORD (Jehovah), who makes you holy (Mekaddishkem). Exodus 31:13
Jesus is our Sanctifier – John 14:6
Yahweh-Jireh – God is our Provider
So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided. Genesis 22:14
Jesus is the Bread of Life - John 6:32, 33, 35, 41
Yahweh-Ropheka – God is our Healer
He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” Exodus 15:26
The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:2-3
Jesus is Our Healer - John11:25-26, 1 Peter 2:24
Yahweh-Shalom – God is our Peace
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you.” Psalm 9:10
Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and called it, The LORD Is Peace. To this day it still stands at Ophrah, which belongs to the Abiezrites. Judges 6:24
Jesus is our Peace – John 15:1
Yahweh-Zidkenu – God is our Righteousness
And this is the name by which he will be called ‘The LORD is our righteousness (Yahweh-Zidkenu). Jeremiah 23:6
Yahweh-Shammah – God is Present
“And the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there.” Ezekiel 48:35
The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving to all he has made. The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bogged down. The eyes of all look to you and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. Psalm 145:13b-16
Jesus is Always Present – John 8:12
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Years ago a friend and I walked and cried over a seemingly impossible crisis. Our confidence in our own power to reason and even argue those involved into seeing the truth – what we considered truth – failed. We talked in circles, repeating our disappointments and despair over any healing. Throughout the crisis, we prayed for wisdom and resolution. Surely our past relationships with the other parties gave our words credibility. Our view of any power we thought we had plummeted. The only place we knew to go was to the Lord and what started as a few minutes to rest turned into prayer once more. This time, we opened our Bibles to numerous Scriptures and with many tears started calling God by His numerous names. Each one met a specific need in our souls. Our circumstances remained the same, yet our souls found peace. When you pray, in times of plenty and especially in times of want, speaking God’s names reminds us He is our shepherd, sanctifier, provider, healer, peace, and constant presence. Take some time today to note these Scriptures in your journal and write out a prayer using the names of God. Don’t rush. Such truth is medicine for our souls.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
For more from Daily Treasure please visit MARKINC.ORG.
Originally published Friday, 24 June 2022.