Yesterday after I posted I decided to go work out on my elliptical machine but first I needed a book to read. I grabbed the book A God You Can Know by Dan DaHaan. Its always great when I can go back and read a good old trusted friend (which is what I call my books, friends) and the truths in a new light after God reveals new perspectives and truths. Where once my goal was to prove to God I really loved Him, that is gone and now I see it was there all along. God knew. Now I can focus on what should have been the goal all along, to simply get to know my Abba King.
When we realize that God delights in nothing more than revealing Himself to His creatures, then we understand why knowing Him is our highest calling. In fact we are allowed to brag about nothing else except that we know God. " 'Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the might man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boast boast of this, that he understand and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises loving kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,' declares the Lord" Jeremiah 9:23-24. Pg. 17
Some of the names given God in His word illuminates His presents in my life. Here are a few.
Jehovah-rapha: The LORD who heals
Jehovah-jireh: The LORD who provides
El Shaddai: Almighty God, the Strength Giver
I have really been praying these not only over my little family but for many of those in my life. For the last couple nights, Hubby and I have been watching a sermon series we went through before Christmas with our church in Richmond Va, Friendship Baptist Church. It is a Christmas series about seeking forgiveness, giving forgiveness and forgiving ourselves. The pastor explained that for many Christmas can be a difficult time because families can be a source of hurt, bad communication and awkward situations. The pastor explained that any of those family members we have that walk around always being offended by others or offending others themselves aren't just mean people, they are hurting people. God also reminds us that as His children when people hurt us, they hurt Him too. Pray for the offender that God will heal their hurts, forgive them and also bless them. This might not change them in any way, but when I know for me, when I pray it, it changes my heart towards the offending person, family member co-worker, fellow church goer, friend. God is clear that for me to receive forgiveness from Him, I must forgive others their transgressions against me. Praying for them in this way helps me cross that bridge.
So God is the Healer of hurts emotional and physical as well as relational. He is a God who forgives as well.
I've also been praying for many many people in my life facing financial burdens that at times seem so much more than any one person can bare alone. God is also the LORD who Provides, not just the financial resources, but support, and also strength, El Shaddai. He provides us the strength to get through those circumstances that threaten to consume us. I recall after I lost Adam through miscarriage and Hubby went only a short time later to Iraq, that the emptiness and hurt in my heart would consume me. After losing Charis to miscarriage, I was a crumpled heap on the floor crying out to the Lord. In those times, God was my El Shaddai. Before Hubby got his new job, we were very tight in our budget and going over every month. God was Jehovah Jireh, He Provides. Even when the provision isn't what we would have wanted in order to get through that trial, He is faithful and we always see that on the other side.
So that is it so far but how Awesome is He! His Word is new every morning.
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