Its Only Werds...

Let Us Pray, Part II expounded on the Lord's prayer guideline found in Matthew chapter 6 starting at verse 9. I wanted to revisit that because it sort of coincides with my recent post on names. Remember I mentioned that name-changing occurrs more than a few times in the bible. Not as in our cultural marriage name change practice, but as in the character of a person had been identified at birth or changed by life.

God. Yaweh. Adonai. El-Shaddai. Elohim. Immanuel. A study will reveal the origin of these names and why they were used, but I wanted to share about the ones that seem to have impacted me since learning of them. I hope you won't mind if I share how I make use of this knowledge in my quiet time with Him. I wanted to focus on what I learned years ago in the same bible study where I learned the focus of our full armor of God.

Jehovah Jireh: Directly = YHWH-jireh. God Provides, or God, Our Provider. "Jireh" translates as "Provide" and I am sure you understand that word, especially if you are a parent...especially if you have ever had a need. "Provide" is of latin origin. "Pro" means before, "vide" comes from video: "to see". Now "provide" has a new depth to me. "In advance (pro)", "it is seen (vide)". Isn't that how He always is? He already knows, sometimes He provides without our asking, even before we are aware of the impact of the need. Sometimes He waits for us to acknowledge our need before Him. The most profound example is in Genesis 22:1-14. Abraham has realized God's promise in his life: 

(Gen 12:2) And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Remember Isaac ("Laughter" because of the age of Abraham and Sarah? and because of the great joy he brought them?) As the saga unfolds in Genesis 22:1-14, I wonder -- if you or I were in Abraham's shoes, would it make sense to hear God tell us to take that promise child to an altar on a mountain and sacrifice him? Abraham did not even flinch. Wow. That should not be profound, but we are stunned by the faith of Abraham. He took the child up to the mountain, made the altar and laid the child on it. The replacement was provided, the child was spared and Abraham named the place "YHWH Jireh". Jehovah-Jireh. (I don't mean to minimize the amazing story, please, PLEASE go read it?) God Provides. We walk where He leads, he puts up the steps before us. 

When I start my prayer time using the model that Jesus gave us in Matthew, I acknowledge Jehovah-Jireh. When I give thanks for my food, I acknowledge Jehovah-Jireh. When I reflect on all the many blessings in my life, I lift up my voice to Jehovah-Jireh. It isn't required, but I think of it this way: When someone who loves me calls me by a fond name, it warms my heart. When someone who loves me calls me by my name, it has impact. When someone who loves me calls me something that defines who I am to them, it is PERSONAL. I like getting personal with my Heavenly Father.

Coming soon: Jehovah-M'Kaddesh, Jehovah-Nissi, Jehovah-Rohi, Jehovah-Rophe (I've seen spelled 'Rapha' too and I will investigate), Jehovah-Shammah, Jehovah-Shalom, Jehovah-Tsidkenu. Stay tuned?