Adonai (Lord over all)
Yahweh-Maccaddeshem (Sanctifier)
Yahweh-Rohi (Shepherd)
Yahweh-Shammah (Present)
Yahweh-Rapha (Healer)
Yahweh-Tsidkenu (Righteous)
Yahweh-Jireh (Provider)
Yahweh-Nissi (Our Banner/Covering)
Yahweh-Shalom (Peace-Maker)
Yahweh-Sabbaoth (Lord of Hosts)
Yahweh-Ghmolah (Recompense)
Elohim (Creator)
El-Elyon (Most High)
El-Gibhor (Mighty)
El-Olam (Everlasting)
El-Roi (Strong one/Sees all)
El-Shaddai-Rohi (Almighty)
El-Chuwl (Gave birth…to our lives: Our Father/Creator)
El-Deah (All wisdom)
Attiyq Youm (Ancient of Days/Eternal)
This is just a small list of all the names of God. The Bible holds countless descriptors for God. But, I ask the question: Who is God to you? Discovering and discussing who God is seems hugely appropriate when pondering ones faith.
Some say He is this far off entity that has no bearing on our lives. Others believe He is a mystical figure. While others think he is the ultimate judge who only displays His wrath on this wretched earth. Some feel He is relational and with us always. If we were to poll people on the streets, I am sure we would get a plethora of descriptors for who God is. But, who is He really?
Have you ever stepped out of your faith, or non-faith, and evaluated your vision of God? How did you attain those opinions? How did you arrive at your depiction of God? Is God who he says he is or who you say he is?
I think if many of us wrote out our description of God, we would list many of the same descriptors used in the Bible. I also believe we would have many adjectives on their that aligned with who we want God to be in our lives.
Have you ever seen a painting of Jesus? Jesus is God in human form so we can use this example cohesively with this topic. The renderings of Jesus tend to veer toward the white man. While he was born and raised in the Middle East, Jesus looks more American than he does Middle Eastern. He looks safe and very comfortable to many. Cameras were not around way back in Jesus’ day, so its safe to say that we don’t have a true picture of what Jesus actually looked like. The paintings and drawings we see today are others’ depictions of how they thought Jesus looked.
Do we do the same thing with God?
Oftentimes, our depictions of God is how we want him to look and doesn’t encompass the wholeness of our mighty God. Our views and visions of God are limited so they may fit in the parameters of our lives. It’s easier this way. It’s more comfortable. It’s safe. Whether good or bad, we can wrap our minute human minds around our personal perception of God.
In doing this, however, we limit the God of the universe exponentially. We put boundaries on a God that is eternal; the Alpha and Omega. We miss that He really is the Lord of ALL. We miss His sanctification in our lives, His covering, His peace, His knowledge, peace, and provision. While we choose safety in our renderings of God, we miss his awesome power.
God is bigger, wider, and deeper than anything anyone of us can understand. He is immense; vast. Yet so very personal. He is the Ancient of Days yet knows every hair on our heads. He is the Sustainer of the ENTIRE universe and, at the same time, hears our most desperate prayers.
God is Yaweh, the First and the Last, the Ancient of Days. He is beyond my compression but my closest relationship. God does not belong in my visions. Instead, I fall into His.
God is greater.
God is higher.
God is near.
Love & Blessings,
Meg