Anchored in the Names of God || Part 3

It’s a great blessing to continue our series on the Names of God. My heart is filled with great hope, joy, and peace as we study––and become intimate with––the God we serve. It is my prayer that it does the same for you. 

If you missed the Introduction or Part 2 of this series or if you would like to revisit those, follow the links provided. Now let’s dive into Part 3 and anchor our souls to our Great & Mighty God!

Jehovah Nissi: The Lord Our Banner

 And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, 

The Lord Is My Banner.

Exodus 17:15 ESV

It was a severe battle. After fleeing from Egypt and traveling through the wilderness, the Israelites were attacked by the Amalekites. Moses stood with his staff raised, and as long as his staff (of God) was raised, the Israelites were winning. Eventually weariness overtook Moses, and he needed help. Aaron and Hur held his arms until the battle was won. The Lord’s strength and power provided the victory. And He directs Moses to build an altar and call it The Lord is My Banner. 

Battles in this life are inevitable, and often we become weary when battles are prolonged. But we can be assured that just as God delivered the Israelites, He will deliver us! He is our God who goes before us and behind us in all our battles to give us victory over our enemies.

Lord, thank You for being My Banner––high and lifted up. Fill me with peace as I face difficult situations. Help me to trust that  You have already gone ahead of me and know that You are behind me. Thank You for delivering me. 

 In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Jehovah Shalom: The Lord Is Peace

But the Lord said to him, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not

die.” Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it,

The Lord Is Peace. 

Judges 6:23-24a

Are you familiar with Gideon? After the Midianites tormented the Israelites, the Israelites called on the Lord for deliverance and the Lord commissioned Gideon to lead them to victory over their enemy. Gideon, like many of us, felt ill-equipped to lead an army and conquer his enemy. Yet God called him to do it. 

Fear filled Gideon’s heart as he recounted all the reasons why he was not the right man for the job. He asked God for a sign and when the sacrifice he made to the Lord was immediately consumed, Gideon knew he had seen the Lord. God quieted Gideon’s heart with a promise of peace and deliverance––revealing Himself as The Lord is Peace. The same God who extended peace to Gideon offers it to us today. Praise be to our God of Peace in whom we can find our security and serenity in every circumstance.

Lord, I am grateful that You offer peace to my heart when I am afraid. The battle I face often seems too hard for me, and my heart becomes anxious. Remind me that my life is in Your hands and that I can trust You to deliver me. Fill my soul with peace as I look to You. 

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Jehovah Rohi: The Lord My Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23:1 ESV

King David penned Psalm 23, revealing God as the Good Shepherd. A shepherd is responsible for the sheep’s care, provision, and protection; and it is the same with our wonderful Lord. We can bring to our Good Shepherd our fears, insecurities, and our failures. All that we need is found in His care. As His children (the sheep of His pasture), we can be assured that we will not lack any good––and necessary––thing.

Lord, thank You for being my Good Shepherd. Sometimes it is difficult for me to trust that all my needs are found in You. Increase my faith to believe that I will lack nothing from You. Pour Your comfort into my heart as I lay my desires at Your feet. 

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Abba: Father

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son

into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

Galatians 4:6 ESV

Acceptance of Christ’s free gift of salvation not only cleanses us of our sins, but it also gives us an inheritance provided by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We gain the right to address our Great God, as “Father” or “Daddy.” It’s an intimate term that relates warm affection and respect. And it’s used three times in Scripture, revealing the Father as a tender and gracious Daddy. No matter what our relationship has (or has not) been with our earthly fathers, we have a good Father whom we can cry out to and depend on. He welcomes us into His presence.

My Father, thank You for opening Your arms to me. This life is filled with heartache and adversity, but I know that I will never be disappointed in You. I long to grow closer to You, so I ask that You hold me close in Your presence and hear my cries. I love You, Father. 

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.