Getting to Know Him

by Mary Southerland
 

Today’s Truth

The God who made you is like your husband. His name is the LORD All-Powerful (Isaiah 54:5, NCV).

Friend to Friend

When Dan and I were first married, I really struggled with what to call his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Southerland seemed too formal, but Jerry and Norma seemed too familiar and did not address my level of respect for them. On the other hand, “Mom” and “Dad” were just a little too intimate for me – maybe because I was still working through a lot of issues concerning my dad who died when I was four years old. My mom was both mother and father to me for most of my life. It almost seemed disloyal to address another woman as “mom.”

I solved my problem by not calling them anything – which was not really a solution at all. I loved them both very much and wanted to convey that love to them. After years of marriage, the death of my own mother, and the survival of many family crisis with Dan’s parents, I one day found myself calling them “Mom” and “Dad.” It was not a conscious decision on my part but seemed perfectly natural. In fact, I did not even realize that I had made that transition until Dan commented on how much it meant to them that I would call his parents “Mom” and “Dad.” As I thought about his comment, I realized that over the years, I had not only grown to love and respect them more, but my relationship with them had grown to a deeper level. The same should be true in our spiritual journey.

How can we know God in an intimate way – on a marriage level? We get to know anyone we meet by first exchanging names. At an early age, we taught our son that a simple way to meet someone new is to say, “Hi! My name is Jered. What’s yours?” Names are very important.

God has a first name – Yahweh or Jehovah, a Hebrew word that means, “I am.” “LORD” should be translated “Yahweh” meaning that Yahweh Almighty is His name. Translators did a great job with the Bible but here they took the name of God and substituted a title. When you see “LORD” in all caps, read it as “Jehovah.” Yahweh Jehovah is a personal name that reveals the very core of His being, His sufficiency and holiness. God wants to be on a first name basis with you and me and wants us to come to Him just as we are in our weakness and incompleteness. When we come honestly before Him, sharing who we really are and what we really need, God then shares His last name. God’s last name is always based upon the current need of our lives. 

God came to Moses and said, “I want you to be on a first name basis with me. My name is Yahweh Jehovah” and from that point on, whenever the people had a need they cried out in their insufficiency saying, “God you are the I Am. Come and meet Me!” God would then come, meet them, and give them His last name.

· In Exodus 16 the people cried, “God we’re out here in the desert with no food or water, literally starving to death! Jehovah Yahweh, where are You?” God says, “I’m right here. My name today is Jehovah Jireh, which means “Provider.” All of a sudden, quail are raining down from heaven, manna is found on the desert floor, and new water begins pouring out of a rock.

· In Exodus 17, the people come up against a vastly superior military force and cry out to God saying, “We can’t do this! This army will wipe us out!  Please help us!” God says, “I’ll be there. My name today is Jehovah Nissi, which means “Banner.” In Biblical times, when tribes went to war, flags and banners were carried out in front. Therefore, God is telling the people that He will go before them and fight the battle for-them.

· In other passages, people came to God overwhelmed and anxious. God says, “I am Jehovah Shalom, your Peace.”

· David came to Him in a moment of desolation and said, “God, I am in the wilderness totally alone.” God says, “I am Jehovah Shammah. I am here.”

· Jesus cried out to God saying, “Abba Father” which means “Dearest Daddy.” This name paints the picture of a broken-hearted child climbing up into the lap of the loving Father. There the child finds comfort and safety. The Father wraps His arms around that child and becomes a refuge. 

God wants an intimate “marriage level” relationship with you, His child. You can come to Him, calling Him by name, and He will meet the need of your heart.

Let’s Pray

Father, I want to know You more. I want to see Your face and hear Your voice. I long to see You in every circumstance and sense Your presence with every breath I take.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

Today's Bible Verse...

Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake.

—Psalm 79:9

 

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We don't deserve the grace we need! We have no right to presume God's forgiveness! We have no reason to expect divine deliverance! But in Jesus, God has shown us his incredible love and generosity. We can confidently call out for his mercy and receive his grace, forgiveness, and deliverance — not because we deserve it, but because of who he is and for the sake of his glorious name.

My Prayer...
Holy and awesome God, I need your grace and forgiveness. I need your deliverance from the tempter's snare. Without your power and mercy, I will surely fail. May the grace you extend to me bring you praise. May the forgiveness you lavish on me bring others to honor you. May your deliverance of me from the tempter's snare bring glory to your name. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. 

Today's Verse Illustrated...

 

 

 

Church that Demands Less 

by Jim Berkley and Gerry Mooney