He is Yahweh
By Brita Crouse
“Let
them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor
is above the earth and the heavens.”
Psalm
148:13 (NIV)
This year, I
have been reading through a daily devotional on the different names of God. [1]
So far, it has been such
a learning experience. God has A LOT of names because He possesses so many
amazing characteristics! The one recurring name I have found to be most
interesting is Yahweh.
We first see
this name of God come up in Exodus
3:14. Moses has been called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He
has been instructed by God to talk to Pharaoh and to introduce himself to the
Israelites as their leader, but of course he is scared and doesn’t want to do
it. Moses asks God this question in verse 11 (NIV): "Who am I, that I
should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" God’s
authoritative and empowering reply to Moses is: “I AM WHO I AM. This is what
you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'”
Yahweh. I
Am. The Lord. This is the name God has given Himself. There is power in this name.
Here are some examples of that:
• Yahweh- The Lord, I AM
• Yahweh Jireh- The Lord will provide
• Yahweh Rapha- The Lord who heals
• Yaweh Nissi- The Lord my banner
• Yahweh Sabaoth- The Lord of hosts
• Yahweh Shalom- The Lord is peace
• Yahweh Tsidkenu- The Lord our
righteousness
• Yahweh Mekoddishkem- The Lord who
sanctifies you
• Yahweh Rohi- The Lord my Shepherd
• Yahweh Shammah- The Lord is there
Knowing how
many characteristics God has calls for respect and reverence. There is no one
like Him! Knowing how many names God has should change the way we see God and
deepen our relationship with Him. He is the source of everything. He is Lord.
His Word is
filled with His many different names and we are blessed because He is all of
these things and more to each one of us.
GOING
DEEPER:
1. Listen to “He is Yahweh” by Vineyard Worship.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYavc_py1os)
How do these names of God apply to you in your everyday life? 2. Pick any Bible passage. Read through it and write a list of the names of God that were found in or inspired by that passage.
3. *Extra Reading: John Piper’s blog post, “Yahweh is the Sweetest Name I Know.” http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/yahweh-is-the-sweetest-name-i-know
FURTHER
READING:
[1] Ava Pennington, Daily Reflections on the
Names of God (Grand Rapids, MI: Revell, 2010), 26-28, 47-73.
Brita recently graduated from Taylor
University with a degree in Psychology, and is currently a helper for Oakwood’s
Quest 56 and the Just Among Moms weekly childcare team.
