31st January 2024
Praise his names
This is the third in a series of studies on praise and worship.
Glorify the Lord with me: let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34:3 (NIVUK)
God’s names give us tremendous insight into who he is, telling us something about his nature and character, and about what he does for us. Here are some of the divine names of God to ponder upon:
Jehovah-yireh: God will provide. “So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.’ ” (Genesis 22:14). When you need provision, praise him as Jehovah-yireh.
Jehovah-rophe: God who heals. ‘…I am the Lord, who heals you.’
(Exodus 15:26). When you need healing, praise him as Jehovah-rophe.
Jehovah-nissi: God is our banner, our victory. ‘Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner.’ (Exodus 17:15). When you are in a battle, praise him as Jehovah-nissi.
Jehovah-mekadesh: God who sanctifies. “You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy…” (Leviticus 20:26). When you are in need of cleansing and you have confessed your sin, praise him as Jehovah-mekadesh.
Jehovah-shalom: God is peace. ‘…Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord is Peace…’ (Judges 6:24). When you sense confusion and distraction, praise him as Jehovah-shalom.
Jehovah-tzevaot: Lord of hosts (armies). ‘This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh…’ (1 Samuel 1:3 NKJV). When you feel intimidated or fearful, praise him as Jehovah-tzevaot.
Jehovah-ro’i: God is my shepherd. ‘The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.’ (Psalms 23:1 NIVUK)). When you need direction, or you feel uncertain and unsafe, praise him as Jehovah-ro’i.
Jehovah-tzidkenu: God our righteousness. ‘In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The Lord our righteousness.’ (Jeremiah 33:16 KJV). When the enemy accuses you, praise him as Jehovah-tzidkenu.
Jehovah-elyon: God Most High. ‘I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High. (Psalms 7:17 NIVUK). When you feel overwhelmed, praise him as Jehovah-elyon.
Jehovah-shammah: God is there. ‘…And the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there.’ (Ezekiel 48:35). When you feel isolated, abandoned, or alone, praise him as Jehovah-shammah.
Jesus: God is salvation. ‘She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’ (Matthew 1:21). We can always praise Jesus for the salvation found only in him.
We pray now through the name of Jesus. All the other names mentioned find their fulfilment in our lives through the Lord Jesus Christ. Think of how God has provided for us through Jesus. He heals us through Jesus. Jesus is our peace. He is our sanctifier. Jesus is our victory, our shepherd, our righteousness, and always present with us. Jesus is the most high Lord of hosts, mighty to save. He embodied these truths as God in human flesh, who offered himself for us.
When we know God for who he is, and what he has done in Christ, our response can only be to praise him.
Prayer
Loving Father, at the name of Jesus every knee will bow. Today we bow before him in praise and worship for who he is and what he has done for us, and for the glory of his great name. Amen.
Study by Barry Robinson
About the writer:
Barry Robinson is a minister in Grace Communion International and Regional Pastor for Southern England, the Midlands, and Wales
Local congregation:
Grace Communion West Hampstead
Sidings Community Centre
150 Brassey Road
West Hampstead
London
NW6 2BA
Meeting time:
Sunday 12.30 pm
Local congregational contact:
Gordon Brown
gordon.brown@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church