God Is God.

I've had the title of this particular blog post echoing in my mind for days. "God is God." Of course, my first instinct was to reaffirm such fact, and say: "Yes, God is God indeed!" But I could not help but wonder if there was more to this three-word sentence than what my limited human mind could conceive. I wondered if God was trying to tell me or show me something beyond what seemed obvious to me. Days went by. And every now and then I would hear those three little words again; echoing in my mind, like the sound of rushing waters. Each echo, filled with God's love, reassurance, and hope. Yet, I was still trying to make sense of it; wondering: "What else could it possibly mean?" Little did I know, the answer was right there in front of me. Suddenly, it became clear to me, that the phase "God is God," is more than a remarkably and everlastingly true statement. It is an invitation. (Yes, you read correctly; an invitation.)  

An invitation for me, and for all believers in Christ Jesus, to trust God. In other words, you and me are daily invited to trust God's character. That is, God's faithfulness, God's love, God's loyalty, God's righteousness, God's justice, God's goodness, God's promises for each and every one of us. And encompassing all of that, we are invited, encouraged, and/or called to trust God's Living Word with all of our hearts, and all of our minds.

Needless to say, there's more to the character of God; much, much, more! As a matter of fact, I believe it is safe to say, beyond a shadow of doubt, that even if I dedicated the rest of my life, searching for words to describe the fullness, and the totality of who God is, I could not even begin to scratch the surface. That is the case, due to the fact, that the fullness of the character, the greatness, and the majesty and power of God Almighty, transcend all human logic and/or intellect. (Hallelujah! Praise be to God Forever and Always! Amen!) That being said however, I would like to point out, that the various names of God-listed throughout His Holy Word-provide us with remarkable, further insight as to who God really is. As we study the individual meanings of such names, we gain increasing reassurance that God is indeed God! He is more than able to sustain us, to strengthen us, to equip us and prepare us to fulfill our purpose in Christ Jesus! (Amen! Hallelujah!). And He is more than capable of providing for each and every one of our needs! All we have to do, is trust Him! (So simple...yet-admittedly-so complex.)

Now, I've given you quite an extensive "introduction"-for lack of a better word-regarding the grandeur of God's character. Therefore, I believe it's about time we venture into the task of deciphering the meaning(s) of the names of the Lord our God, as an attempt to obtain a better understanding of who He is, and consequently, build our faith in Him, through His Holy Word. Which in turn, will increase our ability to trust Him. So let us begin, shall we? (Please, follow along, as I enlist the 12 character-revealing names of God, found throughout His Holy Word).

  

The 12 Character-Revealing Names of God

1. Elohim-Creator:  In Genesis chapter 1, verse 1, God is referred to in the Hebrew language, (the original language in which the Old Testament was written), as "Elohim"; meaning "Creator". For it is written:

"In the beginning, God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth."  

(Genesis 1:1; New Living Translation)  

2. Jehovah-Father; Lord God: In the second chapter of the book of Genesis, verse 7, God is called "Jehovah"; meaning "Father", referring to the covenant between God and man. The word "Jehovah" is also translated into the English language as "Lord God" as is seen in Scriptural verse below:

"Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man's nostrils, and the man became a living person." (Genesis 2:7; New Living Translation)

3. El-Shaddai-My Supplier; my Nourishment; God Almighty: In Genesis 17, verse 1, God is referred to as "El-Shaddai;" meaning "my Supplier;" "my Nourishment;" "God Almighty." Therefore, we can rest assured, by faith in the Word of God,  that God is indeed our Supplier, and our Nourishment. He is God Almighty! (Hallelujah! Praise God!). This can be clearly seen in the Scriptural verses below. In verse 1, God reveals Himself to Abram, (who later became Abraham), as "El-Shaddai," while in verse 2 the Lord promises to and/or makes a covenant with Abram.

"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am El-Shaddai-'God Almighty.' Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants."  

(Genesis 17: 1-2; New Living Translation)     

4. Adonai-Master; Lord: In Genesis chapter 18, verse 3, Abraham refers to God as "Adonai;" meaning "Master" and/or "Lord." For it is written:

"My [L]ord, he [Abraham] said, "If it pleases [Y]ou, stop here for a while."  

(Genesis 18:3; New Living Translation)  

5.  Jehovah-Jireh-Provider; Vision: In Genesis 22, verse 14, Abraham names the sacrificial place, initially intended for the sacrifice of Abraham's only son-Issac, "Yahweh-Yireh"/"Jehovah-Jireh"; meaning "my Provider;" "Vision" and or "the Lord will provide." For the Lord tested Abraham's faith, as well as, his faithfulness to God, by asking Abraham to offer in sacrifice that which he loved the most-his son Issac. However, when God saw Abraham's willingness to carry out God's command in spite of the pain it would cause him, the Lord spared Issac's life, and provided a ram to be sacrificed in Issac's place. Hence, Abraham named the place of sacrifice "Yahweh-Yireh;" meaning among other things, "the Lord will provide." For the Word of the Lord says:

"Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh [Jehovah-Jireh] (which means, "the Lord will provide." To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: "On the mountain of the Lord, it will be provided."

(Genesis 22:14; New Living Translation) 

6. Jehovah-Rophe: Healer. Now, in the book of Exodus, chapter 15, verse 26, we read:

"He [the Lord] said, "If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, obeying His commands and keeping all His decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you." 

(Exodus 15: 26; New Living Translation)     

7. Jehovah-Nissi/Yahweh-Nissi: My Banner; my Victory. In Exodus 17, verse 15, Moses built an altar to the Lord; for the Lord God had granted the His people Israel, victory-under Joshua's leadership-over Amalek's army.This can be clearly observed in the Scriptural verse below:

"Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means "the Lord is my banner" [my Victory]).  

(Exodus 17:15; New Living Translation)

8. Jehovah-Mikkadesh/Yahweh-Mikkadesh: My sanctification; The One who sanctifies me. In the book of Leviticus, chapter 20, verses 7-8, God calls His people to be holy, and consecrate themselves to Him by keeping His commands and/or decrees, and putting them into practice. In verse 8, the Lord gives mention to the fact, that He is indeed the LORD their GOD who makes them holy. For it is written:

"So set yourselves apart to be holy, for I am the Lord your God. Keep all my decrees by putting them into practice, for I am the LORD who makes you holy."  

(Leviticus 20:7-8; New Living Translation)

9. Jehovah-Tsidkenou/Yahweh-Tsidqenu: "The Lord is Our Righteousness." In the book of the prophet Jeremiah, we find a prophesy in 23rd chapter, regarding the coming of the Messiah (a.k.a. the Anointed One; The Righteous One). And within such chapter, one finds the name by which the Lord Jesus Christ is referred to in this given prophecy. Such name is: "Yahweh-Tsidqenu;" meaning "The Lord Is Our Righteousness." The Scriptural verses below, attest to such fact.

"For the time is coming", says the Lord, when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David's line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. And this will be [H]is name: "The Lord Is Our Righteousness" [Yahweh-Tsidqenu]."  

(Jeremiah 23:5-6; New Living Translation)

10. Yahweh-Shalom-"The LORD is my peace." In the book of Judges, chapter 6, verse 24, one reads another one of the character-revealing names of God. This one in particular, is "Yahweh-Shalom;"meaning "The LORD is my peace." Hence, by faith in God, we can rest assured that God not only grants His precious peace, but He Is our peace. (Hallelujah! Amen! Glory be to God!) This can be further affirmed, when one reads the Scriptural verse below:

"And Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and named it Yahweh-Shalom (which means "[The LORD] is my peace)."  

(Judges 6:24; New Living Translation) 

11. Yahweh-Rohi: Hebrew equivalent of the phrase:  "The LORD is my Shepherd"- In the book of Psalms, chapter 23, verse 1, King David calls the Lord a "Shepherd;" as is seen written below:

"The LORD is my Shepherd [Jehovah-Rohi]."  

(Psalm 23:1; New Living Translation)

12. Yahweh-Shammah-"The LORD is There": In the book of Ezekiel, chapter 48, verse 35,  one reads  the Hebrew phrase "Yahweh-Shammah;" meaning "The Lord Is There." This was the name to be given to the rebuilt city of Jerusalem; as was revealed to the prophet Ezekiel in a prophetic vision; which included details regarding the reconstruction of the Lord's Temple, as well as, the city of Jerusalem. For the Word of the Lord says:

"The distance around the entire city will be 6 miles. And from that day, the name of the city will be ['Yahweh-Shammah'] "The LORD Is There." (Ezekiel 48:35; New Living Translation)

It is imperative to note, that the phrase "Yahweh-Shammar," denotes the LORD's presence not only within the context of the Old Testament, but also in each and every one of our lives today. In other words, when we call upon the Lord with wholeheartedness and sincerity, He Is There indeed! Jesus promised He would always be with us; even 'til the end of times. As a matter of fact, the Word of the Lord says: "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28: 20b; New Living Translation.) Therefore, we can rest assured that He is always with us. And personally speaking, such wonderful promise, is incredibly comforting to me; as I hope and pray it may be to you, as well.

I would like to conclude this particular blog post with a prayer. A heartfelt prayer to God, the Father in Heaven. So please, allow me:

Lord God! Father in Heaven!
Blessed be your Holy Name!
Glory, honor, and praise be given to you everlasting!

Father, please forgive our sin, and cleanse from all unrighteousness.
Let us be made clean and purified by the Holy and Precious blood of the Lamb Lord God!
Let us be sanctified by the power of your Holy Spirit!
Let us be renewed in You!
Let us be strengthened by You!
Let us be submersed in your everlasting love, mercy, and grace!
Let us know everything will be O.K. And help us fight the good fight of faith!
Let our faith in You be renewed! Let us put our trust in You!
Let us proclaim our love for You; in spirit and in truth! (Hallelujah! Glory be to God!)
Let us proclaim that there is none like You LORD!

Please, Lord! 

Help us to change! May we never be the same again!
Fill us with your Holy Spirit each and every day.
Teach us your ways! May we learn in humility everyday! (Hallelujah! Amen! Glory and praise be to God Everlasting!)
May we give you glory and praise always;
And may we trust You (genuinely) for all days.

It is in Jesus' name that I pray,

Amen & Amen!
(Glory be to God! Hallelujah!)


All glory, honor, and praise be to God!
Forever & Always!
Amen!