The Question
In our modern culture it is common to have abbreviations to long terminologies and even short forms of longer words. Everything needs to be quick and bite sized. So in this order what do you call God ? Wait, do not answer that just yet.
Does God prefer one name over another ?
Genesis 6:2,3 (AMP)
2And God said to Moses, I am the Lord.
3I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty [El-Shaddai], but by My [a]name the Lord [Yahweh--the redemptive name of God] I did not make Myself known to them [in acts and great miracles].(A)
El-Shaddai, means the almighty God. El refers to the great power of God Himself and Shaddai means breast. The name means one who provides, cares and nourishes like a mother feeding her baby. Its imperative that we recognize that were will be areas in our life were we have to be weened from the El-Shaddai experience into the next experience. Why do I say that ? Because in verse 3, God says to Abraham,Issac and Jacob I appeared as El Shadai BUT that but there means there is going to be a change from everything that was status quo upto that point. So what is the next level.
In Genesis 6:3, He says, ” but by My [a]name the Lord [Yahweh--the redemptive name of God] I did not make Myself known to them [in acts and great miracles].” The name Yahweh is believed to mean, “to be” or “to exist” with out any help. Is that the next level ? Needing nothing, lacking nothing not a blessing to blessing or miracle to miracle existence but a living in the presence of God existence. Not being driven towards God but being drawn to God. Where God and prayer are not used like a rabbit’s foot. But is a way of life.
There is life in Yahweh, Yahweh is life. The bread of life and the living water. Amen.
The Methodology
The Israelites were called to the make this transition when they needed to get out of Egypt. Genesis 5, Moses delivers the message to Pharaoh and the transition starts. Pharaoh breaks their back with labor and they have to look for their own straw. The tasks became impossible and the people are upset with Moses. Genesis 5 20 Then, as they came out from Pharaoh, they met Moses and Aaron who stood there to meet them. 21 And they said to them, “Let the LORD look on you and judge, because you have made us abhorrent in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us.” Let us notice that the leaders of the people notice a change in heart from Pharaoh. He was no longer cordial to them and they in turn no longer wanted to tollarate him. God was working and changing the minds of His people to look at Him for their source.
Is God doing that in your life ? Are trust worthy methods and sources coming up short ? Jobs running dry ? Contacts turning cold ? Hope and deliverance is near. Recognize that God is the source and He will establish Himself as Yahweh. This is not going to be like the last time. God is not going to bless you where you are and leave you alone. This time He wants to make an inheritance and a lasting covenant.
Genesis 5 22 So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me? 23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all.” So for those of us asking this question to God saying, God it has gotten worst. I was better of in the bad situation. I was comfortable in the old life I at least knew what to do. I knew the system and the methods.
God’s answer to our question is this. Isaiah 55 8 “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. 9 “ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. you do not know my plans.
His plan is greater and will always be greater. We see at the end, the mighty Pharaoh let the people of God go. For all the treats they made towards the people of God, God still remains and the word of God brought to pass what God promised. Rest of the story is history and a nation still exists as a testimont to the redeeming power of God. It is not different today. God is still in the redeeming business.
Dear saint of God, the thing we have to learn from this is, in order for God to deliver we will have to know Him as Yahweh. To know Him as Yahweh we have to look to Him alone as the source. Renew our minds and our midsets with the reading of the word of God and change our thinking. God is our source and He alone is dependable and trust worthy. With long life will He satisfy us for He is a good God. We are not giving up anything to follow God, only the crushing weight of sin and bondages.
Lets pray, ” Lord Jesus, our source and our provider. We focus our affections and our minds on you and your word. You are our exceedingly great reward. We thank you for your redeeming power and the blood that was shed for us. Jesus, I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that you are my source. You are my everything. I will not be nervous or careful for anything. Thank you for being my source and my reward. Teach me to seek after you daily and God let me not be satisfied with anything this world has to offer. God put a desire in my heart to seek you and say like David, ” Your praise will continually be in my mouth” In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.”
