(Note:
The following message is a companion article to a message
which aired on Autism One Radio. To hear the broadcast
at any time, please go to:
http://autismone.org/radio/default.cfm?archive=948&bg=&FromA1
and click on the arrow above “Listen to Jack and
Rebecca Sytsema.”)
THE
AWESOME NAMES OF GOD
Part One*
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we
trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Psalm 20:7,
NIV)
IT
WAS SOME TIME before I ever met my husband, Jack, that
something inside of me knew that one day I would have
a son. It had been something I had prayed about many
times. It was during those times of prayer that it became
clear to me that not only would I have a son, but that
his name was to be Nicholas, which I knew meant overcomer.
Somehow, long before I even met his father, I knew that
the son I would have would be an overcomer. His name
was actually part of the identity God was giving to
him, even before conception.
Sure
enough, on July 14, 1998, I gave birth to Nicholas,
our little overcomer. Little did we know at that time
how truly prophetic his name was. Having been diagnosed
with autism at age 2, Nicholas has had to overcome obstacles
most of his young life just to do the simple things
that typical children do naturally. And Nicholas will
continue to overcome time and time again. His name is
part of who God created him to be.
While
Nicholas’ name was chosen for him, it is interesting
to consider that God was in the unique position of choosing
His own name. He chose His own identity and, through
the different names He calls Himself, God not only reveals
His character and personality, but also how He relates
to us, His children. Names such as Creator, Redeemer,
Savior, Judge, Father, Defender, Counselor, Everlasting,
Strong and Mighty, all give us glimpses of who our awesome
God is. As we look at the various names God is called
in the Bible, we can come to a deeper understanding
of who He is, and what He longs to do for us. It also
gives us greater boldness and confidence to come before
Him in prayer, knowing that based on His character,
He will hear and answer!
This
week, we would like to look at some of God’s names
and what they mean to us in our daily lives. You may
notice that all of these we have chosen begin with the
name Jehovah which, according to Strong’s Concordance,
means self-existent, eternal God. For a more in-depth
study of each of these names, we invite you to see this
week’s Scripture guide:
JEHOVAH
JIREH: THE LORD SHALL PROVIDE
“The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the
owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams
in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen”
(Isaiah 43:20, NIV). One meaning of the word “provision”
is to prepare to meet a need, or to have something already
stored up. God knows what we need long before we ask
and He, as our Jehovah Jireh, already has it stored
up for us. But it is up to us to ask Him. Sometimes
He will provide it outright, and other times He will
give us a strategy for gaining what we need, but in
either case, He will answer when we call. God is your
Jehovah Jireh, and He has made provision to meet your
every need.
JEHOVAH
MAUZZI—THE LORD MY FORTRESS
“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning
I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my
refuge in times of trouble” (Psalm 59:16, NIV).
A fortress is defined as a place of exceptional security
or a stronghold. It is a place of safety and security.
When the storms of life rage against us our choices
are to blame God and turn from Him, or cling to Him
as a refuge. If we choose to turn from God, we have
left our fortress for open ground which, in a storm,
has no safe place. However, if we cling to God and allow
Him to be our Jehovah Mauzzi, we will weather the storms
safely in a place of exceptional security.
JEHOVAH
ROPHE—THE LORD [OUR] HEALER
“Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all
his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals
all your diseases” (Psalm 103:2-3, NIV). God still
works miracles today. Sometimes they are a gradual,
day-by-day process, and sometimes they are instantaneous,
but either way God is still in the business of healing
our minds, souls, spirits, and bodies. It is hard to
say why God heals some and not others. Nevertheless,
we should not allow that to be our focus, but rather
see that God’s power to heal is still operating
and available to His people. Therefore, we need to allow
faith to arise within us and come to Him boldly and
ask Jehovah Rophe, the Lord Our Healer, to visit us
and our children with a miracle that will make us whole.
JEHOVAH
ROI—THE LORD MY SHEPHERD
“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will
be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living
water. And God will wipe away every tear from their
eyes” (Revelation 7:17, NIV). A shepherd is one
who leads and guides as well as one who provides for
and protects the sheep over which he is given charge.
Unlike literal sheep, however, we have a choice in whether
we allow the Lord to be our shepherd or go off on our
own. But we must remember that a sheep wandering on
its own is not only without the provision it needs,
it is without protection from predators and is left
vulnerable. As we acknowledge God as our Jehovah Roi,
we come into His provision for us and are protected
from an enemy who prowls around like a roaring lion
seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).
JEHOVAH
SALI—THE LORD MY ROCK
“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the
LORD, is the Rock eternal” (Isaiah 26:4, NIV).
Matthew 7 says it is a wise person who builds their
house on a rock. Anyone who has the Lord as their foundation
is truly wise, for it is on the solid foundation of
the Lord our Rock that we will have sure footing so
we do not slip, and that we will be truly secure. And
the security of this foundation is not just for our
lives here on earth. We can be assured that as we build
on Jehovah Sali, we are building on an eternally safe
and stable foundation that will transcend our brief
time on this planet.
JEHOVAH
SHALOM—THE LORD [OUR] PEACE
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let
your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”
(John 14:27, NIV). In our lives, often filled with turmoil
and anxiety, peace can seem illusive. Not only are there
the stresses of today, but the endless questions and
worries of what tomorrow will bring. But God has promised
us a peace even in the midst of our troubles. God promises
us the stillness, tranquility, and quiet confidence
of a mind and heart at peace if we will seek Him as
our Jehovah Shalom. Perhaps the main factor in seeking
God as our peace is coming to a place where we can fully
trust Him with our lives, regardless of our present
circumstances. Once we are truly able to believe that
God will work all things together for good to those
who love Him and are called according to His purposes
(Rom. 8:28), there is an incredible peace and calm that
fills our hearts. When we can trust that His intentions
for us are to give us a hope and a future filled with
good things, that is when we will come to know Him as
our Jehovah Shalom.
JEHOVAH
TSURI—O LORD MY STRENGTH
“O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be
our strength every morning, our salvation in time of
distress” (Isaiah 33:2, NIV). To have strength
means to be a powerful force full of vigor, influence,
and authority. Although we as human beings have weaknesses
and limitations, God has great strength to move on our
behalf each day with vigor, influence, and authority.
In our times of distress, when we are at our weakest
when nothing or no one around is able to help, God is
ready to come in as Jehovah Tsuri with strength and
power and move on our behalf. Therefore, our greatest
strength comes, not from within ourselves, but from
our ability through Christ to tap into Jehovah Tsuri,
the ultimate source of strength, through prayer.
May
our awesome God, whose Name is above all names, richly
bless you and your household in days ahead,
Jack and Rebecca Sytsema
©2006
Children of Destiny. All rights reserved.
__________________________________
THE
AWESOME NAMES OF GOD, Part One
SCRIPTURE GUIDE
JEHOVAH JIREH: THE LORD SHALL PROVIDE
The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the desert and streams in
the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen,
(Isaiah 43:20, NIV)
No
temptation has seized you except what is common to man.
And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted
beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,
he will also provide a way out so that you can stand
up under it.
(1 Corinthians 10:13,NIV)
He
provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his
covenant forever.
(Psalm 111:5, NIV)
He
covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with
rain and makes grass grow on the hills. He provides
food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they
call.
(Psalm 147:8-9, NIV)
Yet
he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown
kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in
their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and
fills your hearts with joy.
(Acts 14:17, NIV)
Command
those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant
nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain,
but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us
with everything for our enjoyment.
(1 Timothy 6:17, NIV)
If
anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very
words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with
the strength God provides, so that in all things God
may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory
and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
(1 Peter 4:11, NIV)
JEHOVAH MAUZZI—THE LORD MY FORTRESS
O LORD, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time
of distress
(Jeremiah 16:19, NIV)
The
LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation
for his anointed one.
(Psalm 28:8, NIV)
Turn
your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock
of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.
(Psalm 31:2, NIV)
O
my Strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress,
(Psalm 59:9, NIV)
But
I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will
sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge
in times of trouble.
(Psalm 59:16, NIV)
I
will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
(Psalm 91:2, NIV)
He
who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his
children it will be a refuge.
(Proverbs 14:26, NIV)
Return
to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce
that I will restore twice as much to you.
(Zechariah 9:12, NIV)
JEHOVAH ROPHE—THE LORD [OUR] HEALER
He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice
of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes,
if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his
decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases
I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals
you."
(Exodus 15:26, NIV)
Praise
the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits--who
forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
(Psalm 103:2-3, NIV)
He
heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
(Ps 147:3, NIV)
The
moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will
be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full
days, when the LORD binds up the bruises of his people
and heals the wounds he inflicted.
(Isaiah 30:26, NIV)
I
have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide
him and restore comfort to him,
(Isaiah 57:18, NIV)
Nevertheless,
I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my
people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.
(Jeremiah 33:6,NIV)
Come,
let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces
but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind
up our wounds.
(Hosea 6:1, NIV)
JEHOVAH ROI—THE LORD MY SHEPHERD
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
(Psalm 23:1, NIV)
Save
your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd
and carry them forever.
(Psalm 28:9, NIV)
Hear
us, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a
flock; you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine
forth
(Psalm 80:1, NIV)
He
tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs
in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he
gently leads those that have young.
(Isaiah 40:11, NIV)
As
a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is
with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue
them from all the places where they were scattered on
a day of clouds and darkness.
(Ezekiel 34:12, NIV)
I
will search for the lost and bring back the strays.
I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak,
but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will
shepherd the flock with justice.
(Ezekiel 34:16, NIV)
I
am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his
life for the sheep.
(John 10:11, NIV)
I
am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know
me--
(John 10:14, NIV)
For
you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned
to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
(1 Peter 2:25 NIV)
For
the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water. And God
will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
(Revelation 7:17, NIV)
JEHOVAH SALI—THE LORD MY ROCK
He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways
are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright
and just is he.
(Deuteronomy 32:4, NIV)
There
is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides
you; there is no Rock like our God.
(1 Samuel 2:2, NIV)
My
God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and
the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge
and my savior-- from violent men you save me.
(2 Samuel 22:3, NIV)
The
LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the
Rock, my Savior!
(2 Samuel 22:47, NIV)
Turn
your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock
of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.
(Psalm 31:2, NIV)
He
alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress,
I will never be shaken.
(Psalm 62:2, NIV)
Come,
let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud
to the Rock of our salvation.
(Psalm 95:1, NIV)
Trust
in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the
Rock eternal.
(Isaiah 26:4, NIV)
JEHOVAH SHALOM—THE LORD [OUR] PEACE
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face
shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn
his face toward you and give you peace.
(Numbers 6:24-26, NIV)
I
will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.
(Psalm 4:8, NIV)
The
LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses
his people with peace.
(Psalm 29:11, NIV)
I
will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises
peace to his people, his saints-- but let them not return
to folly.
(Psalm 85:8, NIV)
He
grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with
the finest of wheat.
(Psalm 147:14, NIV)
For
to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the
government will be on his shoulders. And he will be
called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting
Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government
and peace there will be no end. (Isaiah 9:6-7, NIV)
All
your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will
be your children's peace.
(Isaiah 54:13, NIV)
“Peace,
peace, to those far and near,” says the LORD.
“And I will heal them.”
(Isaiah 57:19, NIV)
because
of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising
sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living
in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our
feet into the path of peace.
(Luke 1:78-79, NIV)
Glory
to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on
whom his favor rests.
(Luke 2:14, NIV)
Peace
I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give
to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled and do not be afraid.
(John 14:27, NIV)
For
the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,
but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
(Romans 14:17, NIV)
May
the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you
trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by
the power of the Holy Spirit.
(Romans 15:13, NIV)
The
God of peace be with you all. Amen.
(Romans 15:33, NIV)
Now
may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all
times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
(II Thessalonians 3:16, NIV)
JEHOVAH TSURI—O LORD MY STRENGTH
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way
perfect.
(2 Samuel 22:33, NIV)
Wealth
and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give
strength to all.
(1 Chronicles 29:12, NIV)
I
love you, O LORD, my strength.
(Psalm 18:1, NIV)
But
you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly
to help me.
(Psalm 22:19, NIV)
God
is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in
trouble.
(Psalm 46:1, NIV)
O
my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my
fortress, my loving God.
(Psalm 59:17, NIV)
Summon
your power, O God; show us your strength, O God, as
you have done before.
(Psalm 68:28, NIV)
For
you are their glory and strength, and by your favor
you exalt our horn.
(Psalm 89:17, NIV)
The
LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
(Psalm 118:14, NIV)
O
LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength
every morning, our salvation in time of distress.
(Isaiah 33:2, NIV)
He
will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of
the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his
God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth.
(Micah 5:4, NIV)
I
can do everything through him who gives me strength.
(Philippians 4:13, NIV)
I
thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength,
that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his
service.
(1 Timothy 1:12, NIV)
*For
"The Awesome Names of God, Part Two," click
here.
___________________________________
For
a list of radio programs and companion article archives,
click here.
|
