Monday, August 5, 2024
Jehovah-Rophe & Jehovah-Nissi
Saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer.” Exodus 15:26
And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The LORD Is My Banner. Exodus 17:15
Begin today by reading Exodus 15:22-27 and Exodus 17:8-16 for context of our highlighted verses for today. We are looking at two names of God mentioned in Exodus, both of which come closely after the Israelites crossing of the Red Sea. The first name, Jehovah-Rophe, means “The LORD who heals”. God is I Am, and that should remind us that He is in control of everything. From the smallest micro to the largest macro, God is in control. Even the diseases listen to Him. We also know that God doesn’t always provide healing in this life, see 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. In this passage we see Paul, who has healed many people, talking about how he himself has an ailment that won’t be healed. Just because God can heal, doesn’t mean He will. Hold onto that thought and look at Jehovah-Nissi, “The LORD is our banner.” I read that this means the LORD is our savior, we are rescued by Him and identified in Him. Also read that it means that the LORD is the ONE under whom we unite. He is to be our prize, our anthem, our hearts song. God being our banner doesn’t mean we have ultimate protection from everything here on earth, but it does provide us with ultimate safety and security. You see, if God chooses not to heal that doesn’t mean He isn’t looking out for us, or that He doesn’t care about us. It means that God knows what is best in that situation. God is I Am. God is our healer and needs to become our highest flying banner. Let’s pray today that we will trust Him with our ailments and make Him our banner.
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
Jehovah-Jireh
So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” Genesis 22:14
To get the context of our verse today please read and/or listen to Genesis 22. This week I want to look at 8 names of God, which will allow us to continue to focus on I Am. We will be starting with Jehovah-Jireh. The meaning of Jehovah-Jireh is “The LORD will provide or see to it”, and is shown in our key verse for today, Genesis 22:14. Abraham and Sarah had waited nearly a century for God to provide them with a son. Specifically God had made a covenant with Abraham when he was 75 years old, see Genesis 15. Saying that he would provide him with an heir, and didn’t answer that promise until Abraham was 100 years old, see Genesis 21:5, 25 years later! At which time God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, as we read in Genesis 22. When God made the covenant with Abraham, God didn’t specify when he would fulfill his promise, just that He would. And God did just that in an amazing way that only God could. Jehovah-Jireh, God will provide, gives us assurance that God knows and will provide. So let’s not muddy the waters by creating timeframes on His provision. Pray today that you will allow God to provide for you as He sees fit and in His timing. Where are you struggling with God’s provision in your life?
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Jehovah-Shalom
Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and called it, The LORD Is Peace. To this day it still stands at Ophrah, which belongs to the Abiezrites. Judges 6:24
Please read Judges 6:11-24 to get context for today. Jehovah-Shalom means “The LORD our peace”. In our story for today Gideon was visited by the LORD. Came and let Gideon know that the time was right for Israel to be freed from oppression. Gideon wasn’t too keen on helping and even questioned who it was that was asking to do such a thing and questioned God Himself. In the end Gideon offered a sacrifice and saw it consumed immediately, of which made Gideon fearful for his life… which he should be! Gideon had questioned God, rebuked Him a bit and then tested God, and God showed up in a mighty way. So at this point, Gideon should be fearful. Yet we see God telling Gideon, “Peace be to you”, of which Gideon replies well and makes an altar and names it Jehovah-Shalom. Gideon wasn’t just at peace because he was alive, he was also stating he was at peace with what was going to happen next. God I will follow you and be at peace. God is peace, and needs to be our source of peace. Is God your source of peace amidst this chaotic world?
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Jehovah-M’Kaddesh
Keep my statutes and do them; I am the LORD who sanctifies you. Leviticus 20:8
For further reading today I would encourage you to read some of Leviticus. I know asking you to read Leviticus probably isn’t on your list as a fun thought, but it is filled with a glimpse into a different way of life. I went back to chapter 9, which talks about Aaron making sacrifices to God for the people, and at the end of the chapter shows it was accepted by God in a powerful way. Then we read chapter 19, which really hones in on the LORD is holy, making sure we don’t turn to idols and keeping God as our number one person to run to. Then it goes into loving your neighbor, making sure you are thinking about others in the normal actions of everyday life like making sure to leave grapes on the grapevine for those in need. Ok yeah I know we don’t have grapevines, but what aspect of our normal everyday life are we missing the opportunity to show the love of God to those around us? Leviticus is a tough book, but I so appreciate how it lays out all of the things that Jesus died for. Jesus Christ died on the cross and fulfilled so much, and as recognition of this work we need to rely on Him to sanctify us. That process won’t ever come to completeness until we see Him in glory. That process also won’t always be easy, but we can trust Him as the I Am, to do it best. What is God asking you to allow Him to sanctify in you in order that you are set apart for Him?
Friday, August 9, 2024
Jehovah-Rohi & Jehovah Sabaoth
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:7
Let’s begin today by reading the entirety of Psalm 23. Here we see a clear picture of Jehovah-Rohi, “The LORD my shepherd”. If you want another picture of this, read John chapter 10. Jesus is our shepherd, he is protecting, guiding, watching over us and so much more. Not only is He our shepherd, but He is also Jehovah-Sabaoth, “The LORD of hosts”. To get a clearer picture of this read Psalm 46. In Hebrew Sabaoth was often a military term, and we see it in such places as 1 Samuel 17:45 talking about an army, in Psalm 148:2 referring to a group of angels, and even in Psalm 33:6 describing the innumerable stars in the sky. The important thing about this name for God is that whether it is armies, angels, or stars, Jehovah Sabaoth, the LORD of Hosts, rules over all things both on earth and in heaven. God is our perfect and loving Shepherd, but also is ruler over everything. God desires us to allow Him to Shepherd us and we can turn to Him for refuge as He commands everything. How do you need to rest in your Shepherd today?
Saturday, August 10, 2024
Jehovah-Tsidkenu & Jehovah-Shammah
In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’ Jeremiah 23:6
Begin today by reading Jeremiah 23:1 to 8. One biblical definition of righteousness is, “living in right relationship with God, other people, and all creation”. Isn’t it interesting that our ability to live in right relationship depends on God. We can’t create a right relationship with God, others or creation, only God can do that. I often attempt to have right relationships with people under my own power, and everytime I am corrected by my Jehovah Tsidkenu, LORD our righteousness. God sent His son Jesus, who came to earth and died on the cross , so that we could be in right relationship with Him. For those of us who accepted Him as our Savior, we have the privilege of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. Guiding us, as much as we allow, to have right relationships with others and creation. What an amazing God we serve! What an amazing God we are allowed to call friends! He truly is I Am. Take time today to pray a prayer of thanksgiving and praise to our God for who He is and what He does.