Did you know that you can discover God’s character through many of His names?

Recently, I have been reflecting during my devotional time on the names of God. Well, as I have often said: ‘If you want to know who God is and His character, look at His names’. 

Throughout the Bible, God is given many names, and each of them reveals a precious truth about his qualities and character. I find it very encouraging to read these names as they help me to understand more and more about God’s character and what He feels about us, His own creation.

Jehovah Raah – The Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23)

David describes the Lord as ‘my shepherd’ (see Psalm 23:1 NIV). I love the way David personalised it by not saying the Lord is THE shepherd but MY shepherd. Praise God that He is our shepherd too, for God is a relational God. This picture of ‘The Lord Our Shepherd’ reveals some of His characteristics: He is good, He protects, He guides, He nurtures, He lays down his life. And in times of confusion or grief, let’s never, ever forget that He is OUR SHEPHERD too.

Jehovah Jireh – The Lord will provide (Genesis 22:14)

Scripture says, ‘my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:19 NIV). We are reminded that Jehovah Jireh knows our every need because He sees everything, including what you need. If the Lord was able to meet Abraham’s need by providing a ram caught in the bush that was offered in place of Isaac, He’s also able to meet our needs at just the right time. Fear not, the name Jehovah Jireh guarantees that your Heavenly Father is able to provide for any need you have.

Jehovah Shalom – The Lord our peace (Judges 6:24)

The Hebrew word shalom, translated as ‘peace’, not only speaks of the absence of noise, strife or conflict – it speaks of wholeness, completeness, trustworthiness, and happiness. True and ultimate peace is found in God alone, and this comes to us when we focus our lives on God and put our trust in Him. His Word says ‘Are you weary and troubled? Well, why not place your total trust in Jehovah-Shalom, and He will keep you in perfect peace’ (paraphrased, see Isaiah 26:3 NIV). For He is Shar Shalom – Prince of Peace, which means ‘the one who removes all peace-disturbing factors and secures the peace.’

Jehovah Rapha – The Lord who heals (Psalm 23 and Exodus 15)

It was in the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites that God first revealed His name as Jehovah Rapha. After crossing the Red Sea, Moses led them into the Wilderness of Shur, where they went 3 days without water (see Exodus 15:22-27 NIV). Eventually, they came across the waters of Marah, but they could not drink from the waters, for they were bitter. So, the people complained against Moses, and Moses then cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree, which he cast into the waters. In a moment, the waters were made sweet. The Lord does not only heal waters, He heals people too. If the Lord was able to heal the waters at Marah so that His people could drink, He is also able to heal us from any disease (see Psalm 103:3 NIV). When we are weak, Jehovah Rapha will renew our strength the same way He did for David (see Psalm 23:3 NLT).

Living in a stressful and chaotic world in these unprecedented times, the name Jehovah Rapha speaks to us that our bitter experiences can be transformed into sweet ones, and yes, we are confronted with new problems every day that make us sometimes want to give up and give in. But we can count upon the Lord to heal and renew our strength. Jehovah is the great physician who not only heals our physical and emotional needs, but He also heals and restores whatever spiritual needs we may have.

So, stand up on God’s promise today! His Word declares that ‘The Lord is Your Keeper/ Your Provider/ Your Peace/ Your Healer.’ Don’t ever allow the Enemy to tell you otherwise.