Our First Resort

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It’s amazing to me the things I think about when I take the time to spend it thinking about God and all that he has done in my life. The key there is taking the time! Last time I wrote, I talked about how we doubt God and his power that he can have in our lives if we trust in him. This Saturday as I sit and spend some extra time with God because my wife is away babysitting my nieces and nephews, I am in awe of all the names God has in different religions and cultures. Then I got to thinking about my Bible college days and the names given to me by my professors. Did you know that there are over 57 names (or more) describing God’s deity and personhood?

I studied a little in college about the old Greek and Hebrew languages, along with things of the ancient world. I was taught that each name represents the character or another significant attribute of a person. Throughout the Bible, the names of God give us insights into his greatness. There are four at this time that stick out most in my mind. For instance, Elohim- 1 Kings 8:23- tells us He is the Creator, El Roi- Psalms 114:7- says that He sees everything all the time, Jehovah-jireh- Gen.22:14- promises that he will provide, and Adonai- Exodus 4:10-says that He is the sovereign Lord who rules over all. All these names (any many more) are like all of these cuts and edges of a diamond, shining with the light of God’s power, majesty, and goodness. They reinforce our awe of God and re-energize our faith in Him through the good times and bad.

In this culture we trust in men who are strong or sports teams (Packers) that bring us hope of victory! It says in Psalms 20:7 – Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. It’s like we tend to trust tangible things that are strong, such as football players or cage fighters- or motorcycles and bank accounts. In fact, we often trust in our abilities, our status, our family’s money, our spouse’s reputation, or a hundred other things before we trust in God. It’s almost as if we try everything else and then realize, “Oh, I could have trusted God!” Precisely.

Kind David, the guy who wrote the Psalms, recognized our tendency to trust in powerful things we can see instead of in a God we can’t see. Those things have value, but they also have limitations. On the other hand, God’s infinite love and awesome power- represented by His names in Scripture- make Him our first resort, not our last!

I know my article is more theological than normal, but thank you for taking the time to read it and ponder its power it has in your life!

“Dear Lord, I have so much to learn. Help me to watch, to listen, to think, and to learn, every day of my life!!!
AMEN.

Your brother,
Will LeMieux
(Aka: Scootman)