What? What are you laughing at? Are you wondering what Steve I'm talking about? Yes, it's true. The real Steve is pictured on the top right of this blog, hugging me. It just doesn't make sense for me to praise Steve for what isn't even true about him, does it?
There is no real praise when someone says to me, "Kendra, you are an amazing golfer!" There's no praise in that. There's no insult either. It's just not true.
But how often do we worship a God of our own imagination? I get a picture in my head, and begin to worship that picture, not realizing that the picture has begun to bear very little resemblance to the True God as he has revealed himself in Scripture.
I'm so glad that he has chosen to reveal himself to us so that we can worship him truly. Today I thought I'd take you through a devotional walk through some of the names of God in Scripture. Take as much time as you'd like to read through this. You can skim it and try to store some of your favorite thoughts away to think about as the day goes along; or you can take your time and pray your way through it, taking the time to think about what it means to you that this is true about the God who loves you, and then praise him for it.
(Some of the Scripture references paired up with each name are the actual references that use that name for God; others are verses that show us that that character of God is true.)
God is Elohim, the Creator God, who created us out of his own power and for his purposes.
1. What would it look like to trust that God created you for his purposes?
2. How would that change how you view yourself? How would that change how you approach your life?
3. Are there any sins you need to confess in light of this truth?
4. How does this lead you to praise God?
El Elyon, God Most High, the Sovereign Ruler, whose plans cannot be thwarted.
1. Is this characteristic of God comforting or scary? Explore your answer to that question. If it's scary, what are you afraid of?
2. How did Luke 22:31 sneak in there? What does it have to do with this name of God?
3. What other characteristics that you know about God make this one a comfort rather than a threat?
4. What would it look like to trust in God's sovereignty in your life personally?
5. How does this verse lead you to praise God?
El Shaddai, God Almighty, the All-Sufficient One. This is a picture of God as the nursing mother, who provides every need for her newborn child. There is no need that we have that isn't meant to be met by God himself.
1. Do you believe this? In what ways do you look to satisfy your own needs with "spiritual Snickers bars" rather than depending on the nutrition God intended for you?
2. 2 Corinthians says "my grace is sufficient for you." Have you trusted that his grace is sufficient to overcome your sin? In what ways have you tried to add to his grace by your performance?
3. How does this character of God lead you to praise him?
Adonai, the Wonderful Master, Lord, the one who freed us from slavery to sin by the death of his own Son, so we live to serve him.
1. How does this characteristic of God make you feel? Do you feel guilty? Or motivated? Explore your answer to this question; ask yourself "why."
2. What sins do you need to confess in light of this truth?
3. How does this lead you to praise God?
Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord who Heals, the One who took my brokenness onto himself so I could be made whole again.
1. What wounds have you been living with? Are you trusting in God to heal those wounds according to his plan, or have you assumed that he is leaving you on your own?
2. Those wounds and his healing are part of God's plan for you. How does that make you feel? Talk to God openly about your thoughts.
3. What would it look like to trust that God is the Lord who Heals?
4. How does it lead you to praise him?
Which one of these names of God means the most to you today? I encourage you to memorize a verse that relates to that name of God, and let that verse run through your head today. Let the truth of who God is become bigger than the lies the world tells us about him.
Father, I praise you for who you are. I have only a glimpse, but I praise you for what you've revealed to me about your All-Sufficiency for me. Thank you that every one of these characteristics is planted in your Love for me in Christ. Help me to trust your sufficiency, instead of turning to "spiritual Snickers bars" and thinking that the world can offer me any satisfaction when I long for rest or acceptance. Let me learn how to find the nourishment I need in the spiritual rest you offer, and in your perfect acceptance of me in Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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