Our Father God (1)

God told Moses in Exodus to refer to him as I am. I am encompasses the one who was, is to come and will be forevermore. Other names are used to make reference to our God throughout scripture. The names denote the meaning and significance for each person who sought to describe God. The extent of the names used to describe God, explains how he is everything and in all things. Ezekiel described God as Jehovah Shammah (the Lord is there). “All the way around shall be eighteen thousand cubits; and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE”” (Ezekiel 48:35).

Jehovah Jireh (Our Provider), was Abraham’s name for God. “And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided”” (Genesis 22:14). Jehovah Rapha (Our Healer) as referenced by Jeremiah; “For I will restore health to you And heal you of your wounds,’ says the Lord, ‘Because they called you an outcast saying: “This is Zion; No one seeks her” ’” (Jeremiah 30:17). Gideon described God as Jehovah Shalome (Our Peace). “So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it The-Lord-Is-Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites” (Judges 6:24).

Jeremiah also described God as Jehovah Tsidkenu (Our Righteousness) “In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jeremiah 23:6). David described God as Jehovah Rohi (Our Shepherd). “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalms 23:1). To Moses, God was Jehovah Nissi (Our Banner). “And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner” (Exodus 17:15). The entire bible testifies to our God as Elohim (All-Powerful One Creator). “yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live” (I Corinthians 8:6).

Despite the different names used by these prophets to describe God, none of them are incorrect in their descriptions. God is so all encompassing, that we can never use too many words or attributes to describe him. This also means that God is whatever we need. He is everywhere and ever present with us, he is also our provider, our healer and our peace. God is our righteousness, our banner and defence and our all-powerful creator God. He is unfathomable, indescribably, inexplainable and no one can completely understand him. This is why it takes faith and trust to serve God and to experience him for who he is.

A.P.-Y.