The Names of God

We as Christians serve and worship one God. But that God so defies the height, width and breadth of our understanding that we’re forced to define him with many names…like Jehovah Yahweh, the God of Salvation (Gen. 2:4).  Jehovah Rohi, the Lord our Shepherd (Ps. 23:1). He is Jehovah Shammah, the Lord who is present (Ez. 48:35). And he is also the Lord our righteousness, Jehovah Tsidkenu (Jer. 23:6). I can’t pronounce that last one either.

Yeah, God is so great and so awesome he can’t be contained by just one name. In fact, there are dozens of other names throughout scripture that only scratch the surface of his essence. My wife and her Bible study class are studying those names right now. Maybe some of y’all are as well, names like Jehovah Rapha, the Lord our healer (Ex. 15:26) and Jehovah Shalom, the Lord of peace (Jud. 6:24) and so many others. Isn’t it such a comfort to learn how the Lord has revealed himself to his people throughout the centuries? But here’s a question: How is his character and nature reflected in you?

The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Rome that “since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” (Rom. 1:20) In other words, God and his eternal attributes, his character and nature, are evident through all He created. It doesn’t take much to see the power and majesty of God if we pause long enough to consider his creation. But have you ever considered that in addition to the mountains and the rivers and the sky and seas…he also created you! And you are to “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.” (Mt. 5:16)

I don’t want to be misinterpreted in any way so let me say as clearly as I can that we should all make it a priority to learn and study God’s word. But sometimes we can get so caught up studying the intricacies of God’s word that we lose sight of the big picture. And that is that all of this knowledge is worthless unless it is applied.

Did you ever see that movie, Chocolat?  It came out around the turn of the century. It was about this drab, joyless yet very religious French town which is turned all upside down when this gypsy woman shows up wearing bright red and making chocolate. The very pious town leaders soon pressure the people to boycott the store because the woman won’t go to church or buckle to their narrow interpretation of morality. Is it another Hollywood movie making fun of religious people? Perhaps, but I think it’s also a little closer to the truth than many of us would like to admit.

See, people see our piety. They see our religion. But do they ever see the love of Christ? Can they experience the God who heals because of your touch? Do they know the Lord who provides because of your charity? Can they sense the Lord of peace through your countenance? Do they know the Lord who satisfies because of how you make them feel?

In his new book, The Hole in our Gospel, Richard Stearns, the president of World Vision US, paraphrased Matthew 25:35-39 to more accurately reflect our current Christian mindset. It reads,“For I was hungry, while you had all you needed. I was thirsty, but you drank bottled water. I was a stranger, and you wanted me deported. I needed clothes, but you needed more clothes. I was sick, and you pointed out the behaviors that led to my sickness. I was in prison, and you said I was getting what I deserved.”

Jesus is the light of the world. He is the one people are seeking. He is the peace they’re longing for. He is the way, the truth and the life. And if you’ve made him the Lord of your life…He is in you!

Is he shining?