THE NAMES OF GOD

Have you ever looked up the meaning of your name? Ever wondered about the origins behind it or why your parents gave you your name?

Even now, as I contemplate choosing a name for my unborn child, I am praying and thinking about who they will be, what I want their name to represent and how I want it to encourage them in their future. I want a name that will give a glimpse of who they are. In Hebrew tradition, the name given to a person held great significance. More than a mere label of identification, a person’s name spoke of their purpose, character or circumstances.

Names of God, such as ‘God the Father’, ‘Abba’, ‘El Shaddai’, or ‘Elohim’ are found throughout scripture, and each one shows us a different aspect of God’s character, a reminder of who he is; ‘El Roi’ - The God who sees; ‘Yahweh Shalom’ - The Lord our peace; ‘Jehovah Jireh’ - The Lord will provide; ‘Jehovah Rapha’ - The Lord who heals.

As finite beings who struggle with comprehending the magnitude of who God is, these poignant names help us to understand more about the nature of our heavenly Father and lead us into a deeper relationship with Him.

Perhaps the most intimate and profound name of God is ‘Yahweh’, which is the personal name for God and holds the very essence of who He is. Appearing over 6,500 times in the Hebrew Bible, it is the first name God used to identify Himself to us.

In Exodus 3:12-15 Moses asked for God’s name as he thought the Israelites would want proof of who was sending him to Pharoah. God responds to Moses by sharing that His name is ‘I AM WHO I AM’; in Hebrew, this word is Yahweh.

Together, all of God’s names serve as a reminder to us that no matter what we’re going through, we have a God who can fulfil our every need; a God outside of time and in control of everything. That He was and is and ALWAYS will be. An ever-present God who will ALWAYS walk with us over every mountain and through each valley we face in life.

So, when you are struggling and in the midst of a storm, call out to Him and remember you have a God who can provide for you in more ways than you can know and does so without a second thought because He loves you. Pray to your heavenly Father with a name that reminds you of who He is and what He can do for you in your circumstances - bringing peace, wisdom, perseverance, healing and joy.

Reach out to the one who is ALWAYS! The one known as ‘I AM!’ His name is YAHWEH!

BY ESTHER GRIFFIN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

This personal name was God’s way of showing Moses and the Israelites that He is self-existent, outside of time, over and above all things, our ever-present and eternal Father, the one without a beginning or end in whom we can trust. Yahweh just is!