There are times when I feel overwhelmed with life's daily struggle. I find it so easy to push God, my Heavenly Father, aside and out of mind. Usually this happens when my life is going well and the struggles are insignificant. When I look back on the day or week the realization comes that I have neglected not only HIs word, I have selfishly neglected a moment in HIs presence. It is when times are tough and the struggles of everyday living becomes difficult that I turn to God and ask for help. It is in these moments that my spirit becomes a bit heavy and burdened because God seems so distant. It is when I learn to call upon God not only in the worst of times but in the best of times that my spirit has a sense of His presence in my life. Knowing God by name does help me to call upon Him in a different aspect than just hoping He hears me and answers my desperation. Lets review the names we have looked at so far and while doing this allow Him to draw close to you and be the God you need Him to be at this moment. (If you have not read any of the blogs on "Knowing God By Name" take some time and look at them. (You can find them in my archived blogs).
The God I trust and believe in is the God who created everything and owns everything. El Elyon, Creator and Possessor of Everything is this God according to Genesis 14:19-20, "He (Melchizedek) blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: and blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand". Through the battles Abram faced he learned that Jehovah God or El Elyon would take care of him no matter what. Abram learned to put his entire trust in El Elyon and depend on Him to not only deliver him from his enemies but also supply all his needs.
Now that we recognize God as creator and possessor of all we also need to recognize Him as the God who keeps His word. El Shaddai brings us insight to a God that does not lie, but keeps His word and brings His promises to pass. The name El Shaddai refers to God as--all-powerful, all sufficient, keeper of My promises, I guarantee My word. Abram learned this valuable lesson when God promised Him he would be the father of a great nation. It took about twenty five years before the promise came to pass when his wife Sarai conceived at the age of ninety years old. Abram's eyes were opened to a trustworthy God who meant what He said. Abram, "was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, he was able also to perform" Romans 4:20-21. The Abrahamic covenant is found in Genesis 15:1, "Do not be afraid Abram. I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." This is a vow to Abram that his enemies could not harm him, and that God would be with him to deliver him no matter what the circumstances. It is a vow that God would personally be his reward and that he was eternally God's. God was going to maintain him, protect him and keep him for himself.
When we put our trust solely in God we are saying that no matter what, I will trust Him. In doing this we also invite God to lead us down the path He has chosen for us. This path not only can be laden with trials, it will be. We must expect our faith to be tested at times so that we can grow in our faith. Abram found out that trusting God would bring him face to face with some hard decisions. In Genesis 22:2 we find Abram faced with such a test. "Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of". Abram did not hesitate to prepare by splitting wood for the trip. Where did Abraham get the faith to obey such a hard word? It came directly from the revelation of God's name. By knowing God by name, Abram was able to continue with his faith without doubt. Jehovah Jireh, a glorious new discovery of God's nature. Here God reveals Himself as "The Lord who sees", Genesis 22:11-14. This could be translated in todays terms as, "God will see to it." This is a name that gives indication of provision.
Isn't it odd or strange how we face so many trials or obstacles in our journey and we almost always forget what God has done for us in the past. We find ourselves complaining or whining about our burden. We blame others for our troubles, pick up the phone and tell everyone else about our day whether it be good or bad. In the process of all this we push God aside and forget all that He has done for us. We feel abandoned and left alone. The presence of God is not felt any longer so we just drudge our way through the day or week having a pity party. The Israelites faced such a problem after they crossed the Red Sea. Read the account in Exodus 15 and pay attention to the joy and jubilation they experienced after such a great miracle. Exodus 15:22-24 shows just how fast we forget and reject the promises of God. "Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (that is why the place is called Marah). So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What are we to drink?" You have to realize that the Israelites had witnessed mighty miracles just a few days prior leading up to their journey to the promised land. The problem they had was that they carried with them a spirit of bitterness and that had to be dealt with. So God led them to the brook "Morah" to deal with it. God could not allow them to go any further because they would infect the whole land. Morah was a place the Israelites had to face up to their problem and be healed of it. Jehovah Rophi meant them at this place and healed them of their affliction. God had just revealed another attribute about Himself to the Israelites, "I am (Jehovah Rophi) the God that heals thee." We all will face things in our lives that we need God to heal us from. Not just the physical ailments but the areas of our lives that have been contamimnated by a much worse affliction, a spirit of bitterness, jealousy, hatred, anger and so on. You must face your enemy head on and let God bring you to His loving arms of forgiveness and heal you. After all, He is Jehovah Rophi, the God who heals you.
When we fail to allow God to work in our lives we are in essence rejecting Him. The God I trust in is a loving and patient God but He is also a God who disciplines His children. If we do not allow God to heal us of our bitter spirit or jealous nature, then we as His children will experience Jehovah Makkeh, the God who smites. Jehovah Rophi approaches us as the God who wants to heal us of our afflictions. He comes to us with His arms outstretched saying to us that He loves us and wants the very best for us. As Jehovah Makkeh He comes to us still with all of His love but with a different approach. Since we do not turn from our sinful ways and hang onto those areas that not only harms us, but contaminates all those we come into contact with then He must reveal Himself as Jehovah Makkeh. Ezekiel 7:9 and Ezekiel 39:26-27. David Wilkerson says this about these passages:
"When you know me as Jehovah Makkeh---the God who smites to heal---then you will know deliverance, victory and restoration. I will smite you with discipline, to draw out your rebellion like poison from a wound."We will either know God as Jehovah Rophi, "The God who heals us" or we will learn of the God who "smites us."
Last in this summary, Jehovah NIssi, "The Lord Our Banner." Here we find God raising up His standard in the midst of battle, His banner, the focal point of our faith. When we keep our eyes focused on God and His ways we will be victorious in all that we set our hands to. But, in order to be successful we must learn this valuable lesson about Jehovah Nissi; our focus must be on Him and Him alone. When our eyes are focused on anything else we will drift towards what we are focused on. Exodus 17:8-16 makes this very clear. As long as the "Lords Banner" is over us we are protected from the enemy.
Remember this no matter where you are in your journey on this earth; we are in an ongoing battle with the enemy, a spiritual battle that will continue until Christ Himself returns to finalize the victory we have in Him. Paul writes, "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12). Be encouraged when you have trials come your way, the enemy doesn't like it. No matter what path you are on your Heavenly Father is on the path with you, but staying on the path He has set before you will undoubtedly bring you constant joy and victory. Keep your focus on Him and He will lead you through your trial. We all will have our faith in Christ tested. Keep in mind, this is for our good and the strengthening of our faith.
God loves you and will never leave you or forsake you, so when you feel alone know that God is near and He will honor your trust in Him. When you face the trials in life, God will shine a light at the end of the tunnel so you can find your way. You must take the steps to reach the other end.
