Yesterday we saw how important names were in the Old Testament and how often they reflected the character of the person who was named. Today we start to look at some of the names we associate with God, starting with Jehovah-Rapha, and how they reflect His character.
I left you with a chart yesterday which I hope you’ve had time to look at. As you can see from the chart, God has many names! Although we do not need to remember those names it is quite beneficial that when we have a particular need we can actually use that name.
Now I must say at this point that just using the name does not necessarily mean we will get the answer to the prayer that we are seeking. We must always remember that God knows what is best.
Secondly, God will always answer needs not wants and thirdly we must surrender to his verdict, not ours. This is the hardest for often we have prayed and the prayer has not been answered according to our will. That does not however mean to say that the prayer has not been answered according to His will.
There is a famous verse that I’m sure you know but let me just remind you of it this morning before we delve into God’s names.
“I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work.” God’s Decree.
Isaiah 55:8 The Message
When Moses encountered God in a burning bush experience this is what God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM. And He said,
Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you
Exodus 3:14
In other words, God was saying this “I am He that is, independent, immutable, self-existent”. This is crucial when we pray to know that God is not like anyone else. He does not think or act the way we do. He is not reliant on anyone. The self-existing God never changes. We come to a God who is eternal, knows all things, sees all things and is all-powerful to change our situation.
I start my requests by saying to God thank you I am praying to you because of those things I have just quoted. That though means I have to accept His answer, that’s not so easy at times.
So let me leave you with one name today.
Jehovah-Rapha – “God my Healer.”
He said, “If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, (Jehovah-Rapha) who heals you.” (NIV)
Exodus 15:26
This story is set when the children of Israel’s arrive at Marah in the wilderness only to find that the water was bitter and undrinkable.
God promised that if they would obey Him they would see God do great things and one of them was to heal this bitter water and make it drinkable.
God also has the ability to undertake and heal us when we are sick. The greatest healing though is one of sin. This is a sickness that eventually leads to death. God through Jesus has provided a way of healing if we will believe in His son Jesus and ask for forgiveness He will heal us and give us eternal life. That surely is the greatest healing you can receive.
Thank you Jesus for being my Jehovah-Rapha – my Healer.
Stay safe and blessed.