This year I am tackling the project of learning the various names of God. One per week. Twenty-six names of God and twenty-six names of Jesus. Now, this is not EVERY SINGLE name and title mentioned in the Old and New Testaments, but they are the most significant ones. I am using a daily devotional book written by Ann Spangler, Praying the Names of God. You are welcome to read along and join me on this journey! The book is SO enjoyable to read, some day’s I just don’t even want to put it down. I am writing notes and circling all through it so that I can look back through it later as a reference.
Ancient names carried far more significance than they do today. In addition to distinguishing one person from another, they also revealed the character and essential nature of a person. By revealing his name, God becomes more vulnerable to us. That gives us the ability to know God better. Deeper. By praying
Here’s what I learned in my second week…
The second name in our study is El Roi (pronounced EL raw-EE). The God who sees me. El Roi is mentioned only one time in the bible, but it was one very important time. The story is in Genesis 16:1-16, a story of a slave girl, Hagar, who was arranged to have a baby for Abraham and Sarah (because Sarah was infertile). Sarah became jealous and mistreated Hagar because she was pregnant. Hagar ran off into the wilderness and that is where the Lord found her. She was alone, impoverished and pregnant ~ the worst circumstances you could conceive as a woman. But she discovered that she WASN’T alone, God had seen her predicament with perfect clarity and he saw what the future held for her (they would both live and her baby, Ishmael. would have descendants too numerous to count). El Roi is a God so watchful that he is said to note when even the smallest sparrow falls to the ground. This is the same God that watches over you and me daily (whether or not we recognize his presence).
Personal reflection: The beginning of the year has already found some challenges. James’ Dad (my Father-in-law) was diagnosed with cancer. We were nervous, afraid, and anxious. But I was reading this study and started praying to El Roi who knows exactly how I am feeling (because I cannot hide it from him). He told us not to worry. In fact, He said to replace worry with worship and replace petition with praise. So we did. We started praising God for the life we have known Papa, and we discussed with our children how we cannot take our health for granted. And to make the most of every moment. So much we have learned in these few short weeks of 2013. After tons of tests and surgery James’ Dad is on the mend and his prognosis is very, very good. Now we praise God for bringing us through a tough time to teach us to draw nearer to the ones we love and to the God who knows us best.
Key verse that spoke to me: Psalm 121:3, 5-8 “He will not let your foot slip ~ he who watches over you will not slumber…The Lord watches over you ~ the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. the Lord will keep you from all harm ~ he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Remember that first nervous feeling when you had your first baby… afraid to go to sleep for fear that something would happen while slumbering? Even the most watchful parent has to sleep. But God never even looks away. He never misses even a millisecond of what is happening here to each of us. And he is especially on the lookout for those who want to strengthen their hearts as they serve him. If you are feeling weak in the face of life’s challenges, the best way to grow strong is to strengthen your commitment to Christ. Decide to obey fully, to follow completely, to keep your eyes fastened on Him and the result with find your heart stronger and your confidence deeper without quite knowing how exactly it happened. El Roi knows our core and loves us even still.
Want more? Go HERE to read last week’s post about Elohim (pronounced e-lo-HEEM), The Mighty Creator. Go HERE to learn more and purchase the book, Praying the Names of God.
~Join me to get to know God deeper in 2013!
