Category: Prayer

El Roi – God Sees

Have you ever felt mistreated? Unappreciated? Lost? If you answered; “yes” the name of God that we’re looking at this week appears in a context I think you’ll identify with.

We’ll meet a woman who named a place after the God who saw her. The God who came to her when she was driven away from all that she knew because of a choice that she didn’t have full control over. While carrying a child that she probably couldn’t imagine being able to care for. All because of someone else’s impatience and insecurity.

“And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me (El Roi): for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?”

Genesis 16:13

Meet Hagar

Hagar was Sarai’s maid, she might have been with Abram and Sarai many years. However long she was with them she had to have known of their desire to have a child. But her mistress was past the age of bearing children.

One day Sarai came to Abram with a possible alternative to God given them a child; 

“And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.” 
Genesis 16:2

So Hagar was given to Abram as a wife. She doesn’t seem to have much of a choice in this. (Historically this kind of marriage doesn’t seem to be viewed as illegal.) In some time she conceived. 

This is when the drama really started. Hagar was with child, this was something Sarai had wanted for years. This seems to have caused some envy to well up in Sarai’s heart. And to make matters worse Hagar began to treat Sarai different. She no longer had the same respect for her mistress as before. Sarai wasn’t going to take it.

“And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the Lord judge between me and thee.” 
Genesis 16:5

Abram gave full authority of Hagar over to Sarai. Sarai didn’t waste any time. The Bible says that she “dealt harshly with her” and when Sarai was in the middle of this lecture or punishment Hagar fled.

God Saw Hagar Where She Was

But God saw her condition, and cared. 

“And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.” 
Genesis 16:7

God then asked her where she had come from and where she was going. When she told Him, He instructed her to return to her mistress and submit to her authority.

He went on to make a promise of her descendants being a great innumerable multitude. She was told to name her son Ishmael. 

She called the place where God met with her “thou God sees me”. El Roi. The God who sees.

Hagar went back to Abrams camp and submitted to Sarai as God had told her to. And her son became the patriarch of a nation that would continue for generations to come.

“Can Anyone See Me?”

There’s a scene in the play “Dear Evan Hansen”⁠1 where the main character, Evan, walks through his high school and looks around and feels like no one sees him.

He sings a song called “Waving Through a Window” expressing his apprehension at taking any risk. Even the risk of introducing himself to some of his classmates is too much for him. But he feels totally alone.

We live in a world that may be more connected than ever before, and yet SO many people feel totally alone. We feel like no one knows us, no one sees us.

How important it is to be seen!

Life sometimes feels like you’re being buried deep in the stuff, problems, complication, conflicts and injustices that surround you.

The recognition that you are owned for a job well done. The grade that was unfairly lower than what you earned. 

Maybe it’s more physical, like sickness, or debt. Maybe emotional like the heartbreak of losing someone you love, or the hope of relationship that ends in a hard breakup, or the bitter parting of ways of a close friend.

“Why can’t anyone see me?” You silently scream to the busy, crowded world around you. You long for someone to take notice. You may not even want them to do anything about it, you may just need them to see and care.

There is no injustice, pain, loss, or barrier that misses God’s careful gaze. He is conscious of all. 

God Sees You Where You Are

“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12

This verse, among many others in scripture tells of God being careful to see and hear His people. But what assurance do you have of God seeing and hearing you?

This verse refers to “the righteous.” While we have no righteousness in ourselves, through faith in Jesus Christ we can make the greatest exchange in history.

“For he (God the Father) hath made him (Jesus, God the Son) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 
2 Corinthians 5:21

How can believers doubt God’s care when He is willing to go to such lengths to save us?

Studying and Application:

  1. Do you have the righteousness of Jesus?
    • Maybe you have questions about what it means to be saved. Please feel free to contact me, I would love to talk to you, or put you in touch with someone who will show you from the Bible what it means to be saved.
  2. Practice walking with God.
    • I really mean it. Go outside, go for a walk. Leave your headphones at home. Intentionally walk with God, talk to Him, seek His purpose, enjoy His presence.
  3. Review your prayer list. Take a minute to add any new requests now.

Bonus Application

You’ve seen the names of God, from God’s word. You have the foundation, the head knowledge. Now comes the good part.

Pray!

Pray to God like He cares, because you know He does. Pray to God like He can do something about the requests you bring, because you know He can.

Pray!

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1 I am not recommending this play to you as wholesome entertainment. I haven’t seen this whole play, and I am not fully endorsing the views it holds. I have however benefitted from the perspective it shares on teen depression.

El Shaddai – Almighty God (God Almighty)

“Can God make a rock so big that He can’t move it?” 

This question seems to be lurking in the minds of half my Sunday school students every time we talk about the power of God. Though the question is kinda silly, there is something to it. Is anything too hard for God? What are the limits of What God can do? What happens if our faith in Him overtakes His ability?

The next name of God in our study addresses the heart of these questions. 

“…I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” 
Genesis 17:1b (emphasis mine)

The Hebrew words behind the English “Almighty God” are “El Shaddai”. El Shaddai is another of the combination names with “El” (meaning mighty[ Check meaning]). Shaddai means simply “Almighty” as we see it translated here.

This is the name God uses of Himself when He blesses Abram and changes his name to Abraham (Gen 17:1-16), and when He blesses Jacob and changes his name to Israel (Gen 35:10-12). God is emphasizing His absolute ability to do as He has promised.

In the book of Genesis El Shaddai is used exclusively in contexts of blessing (See passages given above and Gen 28:1-3, 43:11-14, 49:25 and broader contexts), Either of God blessing Abraham and Israel (once when Jacob was telling about it Gen 48:3-4) or when Isaac and Jacob were blessing their children.

God’s blessing is based on His absolute power! What an amazing thought! 

Let’s look briefly at how God, in His power, was going to bless Abraham:

God’s Charge

“I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.”

Perfect doesn’t mean “sinless” as we often think of it, but rather carries the idea of sincerity, wholeheartedness, and blamelessness. God was looking for Abraham, His friend, to maintain his way before Him in sincerity.

God’s Commitments

Following this we see several very important phrases preceded by the words “I will”. These are commitments that God makes to Abraham and to His descendants. 

“I will” #1 – “And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.” (Verse 2)

The Almighty God promises to enter into a special relationship with Abraham and later He extends this to Abraham’s descendants:

“And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.” Genesis 17:7

“I will” #2 – “And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.” (Verse 6)

The Almighty God promised to multiply Abraham. This wasn’t a new promise between Abraham and God, but the context of God revealing Himself as “Almighty” is significant. 

“I will” #3 – “And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” (Verse 8)

The Almighty God promises Abraham the land that he is living in right now. And not just to Abraham to live in and have the benefit of, but for the Abraham’s descendants to live in. This is the place God has chosen where He will be their God.

This is a big promise.

“Beyond All that We Can Ask or Think”

When God makes a big promise it is a part of His character to keep that promise, but it is not a part of our character to understand it. God’s ways are far beyond what we understand. For example, God’s work in the life of a believer is something miraculous. We experience it, but we don’t understand it. Our lack of understanding doesn’t diminish it’s reality. 

Paul, in Ephesians 3, references God’s ability compared to our understanding. He does this in the context of God’s work in the lives of believers and a prayer that he prays for this beloved church. Notice the confidence with which he ends this prayer:

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,  
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. 
Ephesians 3:20–21

The glory truly belongs only to the God Who “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think”. The boldest prayer and the most active imagination aren’t able to fathom the greatness of God’s power.

What a wonderful thought to take into our prayer life: God is Almighty!

Studying and Application:

  1. What are some things you’ve seen God do that were beyond what you could “ask or think”?
    • Write them down and spend some time in prayer today giving God glory for these wonderful works.
  2. What are some things that you can imagine (“think”) but that you haven’t ever taken the step to ask God about?
    • Pray about these things, seeking God’s will and looking for His leading on how to pray for them and how to act in faith about them.
  3. Review your prayer list. Take a minute to add any new requests now.

El Olam – The Eternal God (Everlasting God)

Does anything last anymore?

You get home from the store and take your brand new purchase out of it’s box. For the next bit of time you put it together, set it up, and anticipate using it for years to come.

We don’t buy things to underserve their purpose. We want them to last. In fact very often we want them to out last what’s expected. I know a man who has a vehicle that has far out served its expected life. It’s a 2002 Chevy Tracker with nearly 400,000 miles! He is religious with maintenance and jokes that he’ll “trade it in when it hits 400k.” But even though there are examples like this of things lasting far beyond what is expected, for the most part we are disappointed when the things we use break, wear out, or fail to meet useful requirements. 

I’m not bringing this up as a charge against manufacturing. This is how our world works. Possessions decay. Things break. People die. But not everything is this way.

Everlasting God

By the time we reach Genesis 21 Abraham has been through a lot. He has aged a lot. Though he is 100 years old his promised son has just been born. Imagine how aware he must have been of his age related to his sons youth.

After Isaac’s birth Abraham had to send away his first born Ishmael and his mother Hagar. Then further on in the chapter Abraham makes a covenant with Abimelek

“Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son’s son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.”
Genesis 21:23

Abimelek was was making arrangements for his son and grandson. They witnessed the agreement with an exchange of sheep and Abraham planted a grove of trees.

“And Abraham planted a grove in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God.”
Genesis 21:33

“Everlasting God” translates the Hebrew words “El” referring to God (See previous post) and “Olam” which Strong defines as “time out of mind… eternity.” Abraham must have been thinking of all that was happening around him and thinking that God is really the only thing he could count on to last.

What Lasts?

Many of God’s names force us to look at things from a perspective that is very different from our own. “El Olam” pushes us to attempt to look into the realm of eternity. God is Everlasting, we have a beginning and an end. What does this perspective of God mean to us? What implications could this hold for the follower of God?

Another passage that uses a phrase similar to this is Isaiah 40:28-31. While this will be familiar to some, lets see this name of God, and the role it plays in this context that we know and love.

28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, 
That the everlasting God, the Lord, 
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Fainteth not, neither is weary?
There is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint;
And to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings as eagles;
They shall run, and not be weary;
And they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:28–31

Pastor Ken Spilger outlines this chapter as follows:

  • We should wait on the Lord because of Who God Is (v. 1-29)
  • We should wait on the Lord because of our weakness (v. 30)
  • We should wait on the Lord because of His promise (v. 31)

Isaiah’s prophecy of the coming Messiah paints such a beautiful picture of the power of God. But not just His power, we hear also of His care for His people and His warnings against underestimating His power. The passage closes with a statement of His absolute Everlasting Power (v. 28) and His condescension to mankind in our weakness (v.29). We are reminded of our weakness in verse 30. Even the strongest of human beings eventually wear down.

But those who wait on the Lord… “renew their strength;” they soar, run, and walk without wearing down, or wearing out. And all of this tremendous promise is sure because the God on whom it is based is the EVERLASTING GOD.

Studying and Application:

  1. When did you realize the constraints of time?
    • What are some ways that you feel especially weak or time-bound today? Pray about these things.
  2. Research the biblical theme of “waiting on the Lord.” What other application can you make to your prayer life and your walk with God?
  3. Review your prayer list. Take a minute to add any new requests now.

El Elyon – The Most High God

We live a world that is largely monotheistic, in other words, most people believe that there is just one God. But in the time when Abraham, Moses, the kings, prophets, and even through Jesus’ and the apostles’ time polytheism was a normal view of diety.

There were always some through all of this time that looked to the One True God. But great power was often consolidated under people who served a pantheon of false “gods”. Priests to these various gods would have held a certain amount of sway in culture and society. 

One name of God, “El Elyon”, seems to point to the Absolute Sovereignty of Jehovah. He is God (El) Most High (Elyon). 

A couple of the contexts where this name of God is used make the point of God’s Absolute Sovereignty very clear. Then a few others point to God’s “highness” as a position of advantage for those who call on Him. Let’s take a look at a few of these and then draw some applications for our prayer life.

Melchizedek

In Genesis 14 Abram’s nephew, Lot, is captured in a raid on Sodom. When Abram hears about this he gets the men in his camp together and they go and rescue all the people and stuff that were taken in the raids.  In the recovery from this battle a priest enters the scene as the “priest of the most high God”

Genesis 14:18-24

“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God (El Elyon).” 
Genesis 14:18

Melchizedek holds a special place as priest and king. While not a lot is known of him as a person the Bible shows that he is significant in the truths that this encounter illustrate (Hebrews 5-7).

Melchizedek uses this name twice in talking to Abram (v. 19-20). Then Abram uses God’s names, El Elyon, clarifying what is this means in verse 22. Abram makes it clear that Jehovah is the El Elyon, “most high God.”

“And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD (Jehovah), the most high God (El Elyon), the possessor of heaven and earth,” 
Genesis 14:22

No one could claim this victory for their “god”, this victory belonged to Jehovah alone.

Nebuchadnezzar

This name for God is used a number of other places in scripture. But one of the most interesting is when it is used by and around king Nebuchadnezzar. 

Nebuchadnezzar had just commissioned an idol to be made of himself so that all the land could worship him. But after watching God’s faithful servants survive the furnace he had intended for their death, he went as close to the furnace as he dared and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth⁠” Dan 3:26

After all he had seen he had to admit that the God these Hebrews served was El Elyon.

Rival gods

This name of God leaves no question about God’s claim to be greater than any idol.

God’s works are real and powerful.

God’s competition is imaginary and inanimate.

Psalm 135 includes this claim about God:

“5 For I know that the LORD is great, And that our Lord is above all gods. 
6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased, That did he in heaven, and in earth, In the seas, and all deep places.” 
Psalm 135:5–6

Verse 5 uses a different word for “above” than “Elyon” but the idea is clear. This is made even more clear in some of the passage that follows.

“15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, 
The work of men’s hands. 
16 They have mouths, but they speak not; 
Eyes have they, but they see not; 
17 They have ears, but they hear not; 
Neither is there any breath in their mouths. 
18 They that make them are like unto them: 
So is every one that trusteth in them.” 
Psalm 135:15–18

There is no rival to God. He is “God Most High”. There is no help greater than His help. 

Praying to The Most High God

Psalm 57 is a prayer of David that catches hold of the pictures of this name of God and uses them in prayer in a way that I think we can take inspiration from for our prayer.

Verses 1, 4 and 6 of this psalm show that David is overwhelmed and needs help. David is hiding in a cave from the anger and instability of King Saul. And though his is in a cave David is calling out to God Most High. In verse 2 he boldly says,

“I will cry unto God most high (El Elyon) ; Unto God that performeth all things for me.” 
Psalm 57:2

He is confident in God’s help (v3). His heart is fixed on God and he purposes to praise Him. Though he is in great peril, his main concern is that God is praised. Notice the sentiment of verses 5 (verse 11 repeats these words) and 7:

“Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; 
Let thy glory be above all the earth.” 
Psalm 57:5
“My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: 
I will sing and give praise.” 
Psalm 57:7

Application:

God is above our solutions:

There is no greater help for us than the One True God. There is no more sure person or “god” to put our trust in than the one true God.

We can plot and strategize but there is no substitute for God’s perspective or His solutions. We risk setting up idols in our lives when we seek help from others that should only be sought from God.

God is above our problems:

Look for your answered prayer to come only from on high, and feel free to praise God for Who He Is even before the answer comes.

There is no problem that God cannot solve, no battle He cannot win, no need He cannot meet.

Our earthbound perspective tends to lead us to earthbound solutions or earthbound depression. God reigns on High. High above our biggest concerns.

Studying and Application:

  1. What is the definition of an idol?
    • What people or resources do you go to when you’re overwhelmed? Do you ever go to them when you should be going to God Most High?
  2. Purpose to praise God. Even when the answer to what overwhelms you hasn’t come. 
  3. Review your prayer list. Take a minute to add any new requests now.

Jehovah Ra-ah – The Lord is My Shepherd

This name of The LORD is the last one of those combined with Jehovah. The rest have been organized by when they are introduced in Scripture, this one was saved for last.

Psalm 23 begins with some of the most loved words in all of Scripture:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

This wonderful psalm goes on to describe the care of Jehovah for His sheep, the people He takes care of so well.

In his commentary on this Psalm Warren Wiersbe writes:

“The Lord” is Jehovah God, the covenant making God of Israel. The compound names of Jehovah in the Old Testament reflect the contents of this psalm.

“I shall not want”—Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord will provide” (Gen. 22:14)

“still waters”- Jehovah-Shalom, “the Lord our peace” (Judg. 6:24)

“restores my soul”—Jehovah-Rophe, “the Lord who heals” (Ex. 15:26)

“paths of righteousness”—Jehovah-Tsidkenu, “the Lord our righteousness” (Jer. 33:16)

“you are with me”—Jehovah-Shammah, “the Lord is there” (Ezek. 48:35)

“presence of my enemies”—“Jehovah-Nissi, “the Lord our banner” (Ex. 17:15)

“anoint my head”—Jehovah-M’Kaddesh, “the Lord who sanctifies” (Lev. 20:8)”1⁠1

In the words of this psalm it is impossible to miss how much God cares for His people.

The LORD is My Shepherd

Jehovah as we’ve seen before means:  “self-Existent or Eternal” (And really the full meaning is beyond human comprehension)

“Shepherd” here is the Hebrew word “Ra-ah” which has the idea of tending a flock, ruling, or even associating with someone.

David no doubt remembered the long hours he spent with his father’s sheep as he penned this psalm. He would have known them by name, noted what their strengths and weaknesses were, and learned patience through their idiosyncrasies.

“Ra-ah” is used largely in contexts of caring for sheep or where a mental picture of caring for sheep is being painted, but is also used a few times talking about association or friendship: Proverbs 22:24

“Make no friendship with an angry man; 
And with a furious man thou shalt not go:”

Here it’s translated “friendship”, showing that the Hebrew speaking person when hearing this word understood the connotations of friendship and association and not just shepherd.

Our Shepherd

“The LORD is my Shepherd”

As we read this psalm it’s more than just a beautiful expression about how David felt about God. It’s words directly apply us. “How?” you might ask… “this is an Old Testament passage.” While that’s true, I would assert that we, as believers, have an even closer association with our shepherd. This becomes clear as we turn to look at John 10. 

In John 10:10-15 Jesus makes a couple of statements that relate to this discussion:

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” 
John 10:11
“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”
John 10:14

So we see, Jesus is the Good Shepherd. But who are His sheep? In this conversation He is talking to a group of Jewish believers, but in verse 16 He says:

“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”
John 10:16

Jews, as the people of God, have a claim to being part of God’s flock first, but Praise the Lord, Jesus has other sheep that are welcomed by His grace into the fold of His care! He is our shepherd. We (all believers) have the awesome opportunity to say “The LORD is my Shepherd” and our Good Shepherd has proven His care by giving His life for us.

Praying to Our Shepherd

When we are praying to God as “The LORD our Shepherd” don’t miss His desire to know you and to be known by you. He is willing to associate with You. There can be no doubt in our minds that our Good Shepherd cares about our needs and the needs of others that we present to Him.

Our Good Shepherd gave His life for us, proving His care. He did this before we were even His sheep.

He leads us and provides for our needs all the while patiently enduring our particular idiosyncrasies. And even though we are stuck on the needs and issues right in front of us, He is preparing for our eternal good.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: 
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” 
Psalm 23:6 

Studying and Application:

  1. When was the last time you listed all the ways God has blessed and provided for you? Make a gratitude list now… Don’t stop with just the first 2 or 3 things that come to mind think carefully and be thorough. 
  2. What are some of your fears that show you that you need comfort from the Good Shepherd? List a few of these and pray casting these cares on the Lord. (1 Peter 5:7)
  3. Review your prayer list. Take a minute to add any new requests now.
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1 Wiersbe, W. W. (2004). Be worshipful (1st ed., pp. 94–95). Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications Ministries.

Jehovah Sabaoth – The LORD of Hosts

Israel was in the land, she had been there for some time, but things weren’t as great as expected. This was to be a place of blessing and peace, but Israel had known years and years of famine and oppression. They had sinned against God over and over again, but then God would raise up judges who usually with the backing of one or two tribes would deliver them and lead them in the way of the LORD for a time, but after the death of the judge they would fall back into their sinful ways.

What if they had a leader who would command their armies, who’s house would lead Israel even after the king’s death? What if they could look to this leader for the military prominence needed to keep them out of trouble.

It’s at this time in Israel’s history when we see a name of God come to the foreground: “The LORD of Hosts.”

The Name

“The LORD of Hosts” is made up of two Hebrew words Jehovah – “self-Existent or Eternal” and “Sabaoth” meaning “vast amount, usually alluding an army or military force.” When this name of God is used it should bring to mind the innumerable multitude of God’s servants both angelic and human.

“Lord of Host” is used in scripture 259 times in the Old Testament. Beginning in 1 Samuel, seeing especially heavy use in the Samuels, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah and some of the other prophets. We are familiar with a few of these usages including some in the Psalms, Psalm 46:7 and 11 are well known for saying: 

“The Lord of hosts is with us; 
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”

For our study we’ll focus on the first usage of this name of God in the Bible. The first two times this expression is used are in 1 Samuel 1, 1 Samuel 1:3 and 1 Samuel 1:11.

The Story

1 Samuel 1 gives the story leading up to Samuels birth. His father (Elkanah) and mother (Hannah) and his fathers other wife went to Shiloh as they did every year. 

“And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.” 
1 Samuel 1:3

This visit however Hannah was particularly upset by the fact that she had no children. Peninnah, the other wife, provoked her about not being able to have children to the point that Hannah couldn’t eat. She went to the tabernacle to pray…

“And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no rasor come upon his head.” 
1 Samuel 1:11

Eli the priest saw her praying quietly and tried to chase her away thinking she was drunk, but when she told him about her request he said that God would grant it.

Her prayer was answered and she fulfilled her vow, giving Samuel to be a servant in the Temple. Samuel grew up to be a prophet, judge and priest in Israel.

Samuel would go on to crown Israel’s first two kings, Saul and David. He would see the nation go through military victories and defeats. 

Application

While all of the names of God point to His ultimate authority, the contexts of this name seem to be where people are aware of the authority that God holds because of all that He commands.

This name of God is used beginning in the times of the kings. One of the key roles of kings is to be the ultimate commander of the army. God is the Ultimate Commander of the Ultimate Army.

Angels 

The number of the angels loyal to God are impossible to comprehend.

“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,” 
Hebrews 12:22

Jesus said in Matthew 26:53: 

“Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?”

Jesus could have an army of angels with a prayer. This army wasn’t just a figure of speech either it had fought battles before. (See 2 Kings 6:17)

His servants

Once in a while, we can get tunnel vision and only see the relatively few believers that we have the privilege of meeting with in our local church. But remember, zoom out, God commands the actions of every believer in all places of this world and has for all of time. This is a vast army of volunteers who exercise themselves with faith and courage daily for the cause of their beloved king.

We fit into the larger plan of our Great Omniscient Commander in Chief. The armies of heaven and earth are at His beck and call.

As we pray we can appeal to God with the knowledge that His authority is infinite. We are checking in with the Commander in Chief of all the universe.

Studying and Application:

  1. Pray for missionaries and churches you know overseas. They need prayer and praying for them will help you maintain a focus of God’s wide influence and broad-reaching plan.
  2. Does being part of the “host” God commands change how you ought to pray? Read Ephesians 6:10-20 and look for instruction in your prayer plan.
  3. Review your prayer list. Take a minute to add any new requests now.

Jehovah Shammah – The LORD is There

One of the most comforting truths of scripture is the promise of God’s presence. This promise has been given to several people and groups in scripture. In the Old Testament it was given to Isaac (Gen 26:3), Jacob (Gen 31:3), Moses (Ex 3:12), and Joshua (Josh 1:5) among others. 

God was with the children of Israel in the Exodus from Egypt and He traveled with them and led them in the wilderness. God’s glory was in the tabernacle and later the Temple.

God Left

But in Ezekiel’s visions we see the presence of the glory of the Lord  “moving out” (see chpts 10-11). God’s presence would be leaving because of the sins of the people of Judah, the glory of God would no longer be with them as He was before.

This would have been a huge blow to the captives that Ezekiel preached to. Though they were far from home they hoped for a quick return. Which God had told them wasn’t going to happen.

The LORD is There

This section of the book of Ezekiel describes the temple and it’s service during the millennial reign of Christ.

While a lot of details are given, the most important detail is the last one mentioned and is the last verse of the book.

“It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.” 
Ezekiel 48:35

It’s so subtle you might have missed it. Let me re-emphasize it “…the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.” This name is the promise of God of His presence with them again.

Judah had sinned against God. They had rebelled and were now living in the punishment that was promised for that sin. But, in a future time in a future place they are assured of the presence of the Lord with them again, and His full glory.

The LORD is There or Jehovah Shammah is a name for Jerusalem. The meaning is pretty well expressed in the translation. It is a confident statement of a fact: “Jehovah is There” this is the place of Jehovah. This is God’s place of residence.

Where is God now?

In this future time, at this future place they could be sure of God’s presence. What about us? Where is God now? Is He hidden away in Heaven until this time comes to be? The New Testament tells a different story.

Jesus, God the Son, came to earth God was with man again and walked the streets of Jerusalem. But He gave His life, paying the price of the sin of all mankind, and three days later rose again. Then we read that He ascended back to heaven. But we aren’t truly left without Him. 

“5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” 
Hebrews 13:5–6

We have Jesus with us. Think about the fullness of this blessing. Let’s look at just a couple of the implications of this truth.

Jesus’ Presence 

Jesus’ Presence prompts: Contentment

In Heb 13:5 Jesus’ presence is the answer to covetousness, believers are to be “content with such things as ye have” because Jesus will never leave us.

Our greatest need is provided in Jesus’ presence with us.

He is the creator, sustainer and king of the universe. With Him right with us, what will we lack?

With our every need provided there isn’t any room left for lust or covetousness. As James 4:3 says, we can’t be praying out of lust and hope to get an answer.

Jesus’ Presence prompts: Courage

With the knowledge that Jesus is with us, we can have great courage in all that God would have us do.

As the creator, sustainer and king of all the universe Jesus can easily defend us from anything men can do to us. This frees us to only consider what God thinks about what we are called to do or say. If it’s pleasing to Him then it doesn’t really matter what another human may think of it.

This can inspire great courage in the spread of the gospel.

Matthew 28:18-20 The great commission is bookended with the facts of Jesus’ power over all things and His presence with us. There is nothing to fear. We charge boldly straight ahead.

Jesus Presence when we Pray

What’s more is the amazing promise Jesus’ gave us about when we pray.

“19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” 
Matthew 18:19-20

What a motivation to pray with our fellow believers! We not only have their agreement and comfort in prayer, but we also have a promise of the very presence of Jesus with us as we pray together.

Conclusion:

Let’s pray with our eyes open to the significance of God’s presence with us. Live in the conscious awareness of His presence. Let it produce in you the contentment, courage and power in prayer that God’s word says it can.

Studying and Application:

1. Where are you discontent in your life?

  • What are some things that you feel like God should give you, but that He hasn’t given you so far?
  • Pray through these things for God’s help in trusting Him for them, or for contentment to live without them.

2. Read Matthew 18:19-20 again, how can you better take advantage of these promises?

  • If your church has a prayer meeting purpose to be there, if they don’t begin planning a time to meet with fellow believers in prayer.

3. Review your prayer list. Take a minute to add any new requests now.

Jehovah Tsidkenu – The LORD our Righteousness – Part 2

It was the curse of the white van. It seemed that every time a ministry team or missionary would come through town and went to see the Gateway Arch, they would park on the same stretch of street near the Arch and someone would break into their van. One time a missionary family had their van stolen from this spot other times the personal items of ministry team members would be stollen. 

This stretch of street was bad enough to get people to start recommending that groups skip their planned visits to this national monument. And who could blame them.

Since then the parking arrangement in this part of downtown has improved a lot and criminal activity has gone down, but the reputation has stuck.

Jeremiah was the prophet of God in a time when there was a stunning amount of unrighteous and corrupt leadership, but he also preached for God in a land consumed by this unrighteousness, a land known for this unrighteousness.

The depth of this sin caused God’s judgement to come on them and to send them from this land into captivity in a strange land. But He wasn’t done with them.

God would bring them back from captivity. He talks about this return in Jeremiah 33:8-9:

“8 And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me. 
9 And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.” 
Jeremiah 33:8–9

Judah and Jerusalem wouldn’t be stuck with the curse of this bad name. They would be known from this time forward for the LORD’s Righteousness. Let’s take a step back and see this in the outline of this chapter.

Righteous Place

The land would be re-inhabited – Jer 33:1-13

God would bring the people back. He would restore health (v.6), joy, and gladness (v.11).

The land would be named for The Lord’s Righteousness – Jer 33:14-22 

 God would bring them back to the land and the once wicked city would be called “The LORD our Righteousness”

In this place the leadership of David’s line and the ministry of Levitical priests would as surely be maintained as day and night would continue to follow each other.

The ultimate fulfillment of these promises will be seen in the Millennial reign of Jesus in Jerusalem. Revelation 20:1-10 tells about the 1000 year reign of Christ, though the prophets give many more details. Satan will be bound and mankind will be ruled by The Perfect King. But men will still rebel against God, proving our sin nature. Satan will be loosed and the final battle will be fought. Revelation 21:1-5 gives the conclusion of this battle telling of  Jesus’ Final victory.

The LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, Jesus Christ (see the previous article) will win this final battle and rule the new creation in perfect righteousness for eternity.

How does this affect how we pray?

We look for and long for a place of perfect righteousness under leadership that is perfectly righteous. The time for that hasn’t come, but hope isn’t lost.

We won’t find the answer to this hope in human government or even permanently in this world, but this is where we are in now. God chooses to use corrupt human governments to accomplish His will, in places with bad reputations.

We are not defined by the level of justice of the nations in which we live. We have the opportunity like Jeremiah did to call on God and to intercede for our nation and for others in the world.

While Jeremiah was left to rot in prison God gave Jeremiah one of the great prayer promises of the Bible.

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” 
Jeremiah 33:3 

God wanted Jeremiah and by extension the people of Judah to pray beyond what they thought was possible. He promised to answer them, and to show them the answer beyond what they could imagine.

We may never know in this life the impact of our prayer on the lands where God has placed us. Never lose hope. Never stop praying for your authorities or for your neighbors. God, Who is perfectly just, is able to change their hearts or use them in His perfect purpose. God is able to change the reputation of a place, to heal the broken, to make the worthless priceless. This can feel impossible, but the invitation from God to prayer includes the impossible.

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” 
Jeremiah 33:3

Studying and Application:

1. What is the “reputation” of the place you live in? Can you think of a few ways that you could pray for your area? (Suggestions: That God’s work and will would go forward. That people would receive the message of the gospel and be saved. That law enforcement would be effective in responding to and preventing crime.) 

2. List a few neighbors, acquaintances, or co-workers that you know need to be saved. Pray for an opportunity to witness to them. (Be ready for God to answer this request.)

3. Review your prayer list. Take a minute to add any new requests now.

Men in Church

Roles in Church (Part 1)

1 Timothy 2:8

Ever get done with a training time just to realize the resulting action wasn’t clear? You know there is something for you there, you’re just not sure what it was. This passages jumps straight from teaching on prayer right into how the family works in church. 

Let’s not forget how practical God’s Word really is. Teaching is given in this passage for both men and women in church (we’ll look at the part for women next week).

Men, Pray!

“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” 
1 Timothy 2:8
“I will therefore that men pray every where…”

Here again we see the word “therefore”. This is pointing us back to the previous passage, this thought build on that one.

In verses 1-7 Paul makes the case for Prayer in church, now he’s going to give some instruction for this to happen. 

Men are to pray.

Some of this instruction is good whether you’re a man or woman. I think there is a reason that Paul focused this to men, and I’ll try to address that as we work through this verse.

Pray Everywhere

This phrase as it would naturally seem means: “Pray wherever you are.” 

Wherever you are, men should pray

In the context of church meetings this is instruction for men to pray.

Men need to pray in church. Men need to pray in their homes. This is a NEED. 

I don’t personally see that this excludes women from praying in church meetings, but there may be cultural contexts where that is necessary. This passage is calling out men to lead in church (more on this is as we progress through the epistle).

Pray Lifting up Holy Hands

Lifting Hands

The outstretched arm is an instinctive expression of trust, a child won’t reach out to someone they don’t trust. Prayer is reaching out to God in trust. It calls out to His strength and waits on Him for a response.

From what I read raising hands in prayer was culturally normal is some of these regions, as it is in some places even now. However we pray: with hands raised, without them raised, our hearts must be reaching for God. We must know that we have reached the end of ourselves, and wait on Him for His perfect strength.

Lifting Holy Hands

18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear me: 
19 But verily God hath heard me; He hath attended to the voice of my prayer. 
20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, Nor his mercy from me. 
Psalm 66:18–20

God is interested in our holiness. So much is said about this in scripture (see Isa 6:1-8, 1 Pet 1:15-16 and others).

When we regard iniquity in our hearts our prayers are only surface deep. We are bringing God just the words of this prayer, not our devotion. Our hands are the main way we act on things. How we use them is a direct expression of out intentions and priorities.

Think through how you’ve used your hands today. Are they able to be lifted to God as Holy?

God is very merciful and will forgive sin as His children confess it to Him. (1 John 1:9)

Pray without Wrath

In the movie “Inside Out” the character, Anger, was male. This wasn’t random. Men are known for greater external indications of anger.

Do you find yourself naturally drawn to prayer when you’re deep in an anger fit? I don’t! Are you able to genuinely pray for someone that you are plotting revenge against? I’m not!

Anger is human. What you do with that anger is where there is a potential for sin (Eph 4:26-27). Don’t harbor that anger when you come to God in prayer.

Pray without Doubting

Doubt is the enemy of Faith. Think back to the Garden of Eden, the serpent brought doubt into Eves mind with the simple phrase “hath God said” (Gen 3:1).

Later in the New Testament James warns against doubt (James 1:6-7).

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. James 1:6–7

We cannot expect God to answer the prayer we don’t believe in Him to answer.

Your Turn

Pray. 

Volunteer to pray, help start prayer teams, and grow in your personal pray life.

Men, take this challenge and lead in prayer.

Pray through the items listed in this verse.

Ask God to show you any sin you’re regarding in your heart, ask Him to show you any anger or doubt.

Jehovah Tsidkenu – The LORD our Righteousness – Part 1

Jeremiah, the prophet, found himself in the middle of a world that was consumed by corruption and wickedness. Jeremiah watched as his nation was conquered and carried away into a strange land as punishment for their wickedness. Still the leadership didn’t learn. They remained wicked, corrupt and godless he was even arrested and held in prison as a corrupt rulers attempted to silence the prophet of God.

It was in these terrible circumstances that God gave Jeremiah these messages and revealed God’s chosen leader “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS”

Righteous Leadership

Judah had a leadership problem – Jer 23:1-4 

“Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord.” 
Jeremiah 23:1

These pastors are the leaders of Judah (one of the tribes of Israel), the guiding influences that are so inherently trusted. Judah’s trust was misplaced in these men. They had destroyed and driven away the flock and God promised to punish them for these actions.

God promised them a Leader (Jehovah Tsidkenu) – Jer 23:5-8

 Under the leadership of “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” Israel would remember the return from captivity like they had the Exodus from Egypt. They would be regathered from the scattering that the unfaithful leaders had caused. Once they were regathered they would know true, righteous leadership.

Who is this Leader? The New Testament gives us greater insight into the identity of this Leader.

Jesus is our righteousness:

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” 
1 Corinthians 1:30

Jesus is righteousness to the believer. 

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
2 Corinthians 5:21

Jesus became sin for us “that we might be made the righteousness of God in him”. What a beautiful thought! Our place of rightness with God isn’t through our merit, it’s through the person of Jesus Christ.

We aren’t promised wise or righteous leadership in this life. In fact the example of scripture and all of history is that you can count on leadership to be unrighteous, unfair and self serving.

This is why an understanding of the leadership of Jesus is so comforting. He is always righteous and is the way for us to be made righteous.

Pray with Jesus’ Righteous Leadership in Mind

As we pray, we may be praying for the infant struggling with a major health problem and think, “That’s not right.” We my be petitioning the throne of grace for a missionary imprisoned for serving God and think, “God, wouldn’t he be able to serve you better if he were free?” We may mourn with the child who survived when her parents were killed in a drive-by-shooting while her sister clings to life in the hospital and cry out, “Father, what about this is just?”

But in this honesty, mourning, and pleading don’t lose sight of the fact that Jesus is the King. He will reign and set everything right.

Isaiah described the world that Jesus will reign in as king in a couple different passages. Take a few minutes to read Isaiah 11:1-10 and Isaiah 65:17-25 (a few verses will be selected for summary).

“4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, And reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: And he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, And with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.  
5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, And faithfulness the girdle of his reins.  
6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, And the leopard shall lie down with the kid; And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them.” 
Isaiah 11:4–6 (emphasis mine)

What a joy to see the justice that Jesus will bring as King. He will bring perfect righteousness to the government of men through His Millenial reign, and then into eternity. The results of this everlasting righteous leadership are seen in Isaiah 65.

“17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: And the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 
18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: For, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. 
19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: And the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.” 
Isaiah 65:17–19

Later in this passage it describes what prayer will be like:

“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; And while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” 
Isaiah 65:24

Our perfectly righteous King will know our requests and answer them before we even have a chance to pray about them. Fellowship with God will be perfected.

Studying and Application:

  1. Think through the injustice you see in the world. How does this prompt you to pray?
    • Tell God about the things you see that aren’t “right”, trust them to His righteous care.
  2.  How does 1 Timothy 2:1–2 emphasize praying for our leaders?
    • Make a list of your local, state, and federal government officials and purpose to pray for them at least once a week. Try to meet some of your local or state leaders to ask for prayer requests.
  3. Review your prayer list. Take a minute to add any new requests now.