Who Is Your God?

I have been attending Harvest Chapel School of Kingdom Living online and was blown away by what our instructor, Ryan Bastress, was speaking about in last night’s class. What follows is my take on his message.

Who is your God? I realized today that my view of God has fallen somewhat short. When I think of my heavenly Father, I think of the word “God.” The word itself is very impersonal, almost hollow. It is a general term which people can use in endless situations without really reaching the reality of who God is. I say I love God. I pray to God. When I need help, I reach out to God. Now those are all true and good things, but the reality is that I want more than a three-letter God. I want to know Him by who He is, not just by a general title. So who is He? We find in the scriptures many names for our Father, and I want to look at a few. (You will notice that I am using Old Testament references of God, but I am applying New Testament truth)

Yahweh – This is God’s personal name and points to who He is. He identified himself to Moses as “I AM WHO I AM.” Yahweh is our God, our Father, and He is ever-present with us. He loves us and will never go away. Yahweh is the God who Is.

Yahweh-Jireh – “The Lord Will Provide” (Genesis 22.14) Everything we need to survive comes from Yahweh, because He is the one who provides. We can attempt to do life on our own and makes life better by our own power, but unless we accept that our provision always comes from Him we will constantly fall short of who we were created to be.

Yahweh-Nissi – “The Lord Is My Banner” (Exodus 17.15). We are represented by Him. We live life and fight our battles in the name of Yahweh. And when He is our banner, we know we will be victorious.

Yahweh-Shalom – “The Lord Is Peace” (Judges 6.24). When we look into the face of our Creator, we do not see anger and judgment, we see and feel that perfect peace which He purchased for us. Our God is a God of peace, which He supplied to us at his own expense.

Yahweh-Sabbaoth – “The Lord Of Hosts” (1 Sam. 1.3). We are never in the minority because our God is the Lord of Hosts. In the midst of the most daunting enemy force, we can always look out the window like Elisha’s servant (2 Kings 6.17) and see that our LORD is greater and mightier. No army can stand against the Lord of Hosts.

Yahweh-Maccaddeshcem – “The Lord Who Sanctifies You” (Exodus 31.13). We do not sanctify ourselves, but are instead sanctified by our Father. He pulled out of the guilt and condemnation of our former self and has set us apart as chosen vessels who bring glory to Him in everything we say and do.

Yahweh-Roi – “The Lord Is My Shepherd” (Psalm 23.1). As a shepherd cares for his flock, so Yahweh cares for us. He is our Father who stands between us and the lions and bears. But along with protecting us, He also guides us to where we need to be. And if we ever do get lost, we can rest assured that our Shepherd is coming to find us and bring us back home.

Yahweh-Tsidkenu – “The Lord Our Righteousness” (Jer. 23.6). We have all missed the mark and at some point and lived outside of perfect righteousness. But rather than pour judgment out on us, Yahweh decided to pour it out on Himself. He offers us perfect righteousness in exchange for our guilt and condemnation. Our righteousness does not come from ourselves, it comes from Him.

Yahweh-Shammah – “The Lord Is There” (Ezekiel 48.35). This name of Yahweh was used in reference to the city of God which had His temple at its center. But our reality today is that we do not have to go anywhere, because WE are his temple. The Lord is always present, always there in us and He will never leave us or forsake us. He would rather live in us than in a billion dollar temple structure made of gold.

Yahweh Rapha – “The Lord Our Healer” (Exodus 15.26). There is nothing the devil or this world can do to us that our Father can not heal. We were made for perfection and He offers healing for our body, soul and spirit. He is the Lord our Healer.

I want to know Yahweh so well that when I am faced with lack, I have perfect faith because I know that He is the “Lord who Provides.” When I feel surrounded by my enemies, I never lose heart because I know that He is the “Lord of Hosts.” If I truly know who Yahweh is, I never have to fear or worry. When trouble comes, I stand firm, having built my life of the reality of who He is.