God's Great Names

To know God is to love Him. 

And one of the best ways to know Him is to know His names. 

From A-Z,from the beginning to the end, He is...

Ancient of Days ~ This is God in His role as Chief Justice of the Universe. His rule is right. His ways are wise. His commands are correct. His laws are loving. He has seen every hidden injustice and every unsolved crime—and one day, He will right every wrong.





Banner ~ Have you seen those college flags people attach to their cars, showing support for their team? This is the idea behind God as our Banner (Jehovah-Nissi): we are declaring our loyalty and allegiance to Him and proclaiming Whose team we’re on. And how great is the hope (that is, the confident expectation) that victory is certain for those whose banner is God!

Comforter ~ If ever there was a group of people who needed comforting, it was Jesus’ followers when He was getting ready to leave them--this time for good. This time to return to His Father in heaven. Jesus well understood how His earthly presence had comforted His followers. This is why He told them He would not leave them on their own. This is why He told them He would plead with Abba and ask Him to send another Comforter, One Who would be with them forever. And this Comforter—Holy Spirit, Helper, Counselor, Companion—is with us forever, too. 

Defender ~ God is our Defender, and the defeat of our enemy is determined, definite, and decided!

El Roi ~ "The God Who Sees" not only sees us but knows us. And He sees us and knows us even during seasons when it feels like we cannot see Him. "If I go to the east, He is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find Him. When He is at work in the north, I do not see Him; when He turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of Him. But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold" (Job 23:8-10). El Roi sees us. And knows us. And loves us. What do we say to this? "Through it all, through it all, my eyes are on you. And it is well. It is well with my soul."

Faithful and True ~ In the Old Testament story of Esther, Mordecai, Esther's cousin and one of the story's protagonists, is clothed in royal robes and led through the city on a royal horse. Why? Because "this is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!" In Revelation, the apostle John sees a vision of a rider on a white horse with many crowns on his head. Why? Because this is what is done for the Man the King delights to honor. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

(Sweet friends, this alphabetical post is in progress! 

I'd love to have you check back from time to time as we work our way from A-Z!)