February 26–Elyon, Shadai, Yahweh, Elohim

Happy Tuesday. I hope you have managed to stay away from all the flues and colds that have been running rampant the last couple of months. Everywhere I go I hear some one talking about having a terrible cough for the last month or they’ve had the flu for the last two weeks or bronchitis or some terrible something—it seems that everyone has been sick. My little mother-in-law was hospitalized with flu A and B and a UTI. As far as I know, it’s her first hospital visit since her children were born and that was 63.5 years ago. It’s been a rough, sickly year. 


In times of trouble, I love to turn to Psalm 91 as a Psalm of hope and a Psalm to demonstrate the greatness of God. 

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”...Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭91:1-2, 14-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In those first two verses, 4 different names of God are used. The first, the Most High is Elyon. It suggests one who is elevated above all things. The name signifies God's majesty and sovereignty. It carries a connotation of the King that reigns above all other kings. Verse 1 speaks to the protection of one who 'dwells in the shelter of the Most High,' and it causes us to ask where it is that we dwell. Do we dwell in our own self-doubt? Do we dwell in anger? Do we dwell in what could be or what could have been? Or do we dwell in the shelter of the Most High God, the Holy King of heaven who promises to protect and keep us?


The second is the Almighty, translated from the word Shaddai and has many meanings, but it as you may imagine, it primarily suggests a mighty, powerful God who is strong beyond our imagination and is more than capable to supply our every need. He is the God who parted the sea and controls all of creation. In His name and in His power, there is no need that cannot be met, and no circumstance he cannot overcome.


The third name, the LORD, is the personal name for God, revealed to Moses at the burning bush. This personal name for God was considered so sacred in Judaism, that the original pronunciation is uncertain, only that it contained the letters YHWH, (JHVH in Latin).  It has been translated as Yahweh, Jehovah, and more often as the LORD (in all caps).  The significance of this name is that it represents a relatable God who seeks for us to know Him on a deep, personal level.  The God who is the all-powerful, Divine ruler of all things is also the God who knows every hair on our heads, every joy and fear in our hearts, and desires us to know Him as intimately as a friend.  This God who created the universe and all it contains is not just some far-off unknowable being, but a Father, redeemer and friend.


The fourth name, my God, comes from the Hebrew Elohim. This name first appears at the very start “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." When Elohim occurs in Scripture, it is typically translated as "God." In Greek, it is translated as Theos, which is where we get our word theology. It means the one who is first, or the creator, and is technically a plural word. So it is fitting that this is how God is referenced in Genesis 1:1 as a creator who is one, yet plural (Father, Son, Spirit). The Psalmist is proclaiming that the God in whom he trusts is the same God who created all things, the first and the last, and the God who is forever faithful to His creation.


What a wonderful picture of the God who is more than capable and ready willing and able to take care of our every need, sick or well, right? 


Thank you Lord God Jehovah and he Almighty One for loving us. You knew us before we spoke a word and you sang over our souls. You are a great God and you love us so much. Like surley teenagers, we often take that love for granted but Father, help us everyday to be reminded, open our eyes so that we might see all the blessing you send our ways. You are a very good God and we love you so very much. Amen and amen 


Love you dear friend,

Pam

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