What do we call God? Well, most of the time we call Him “God”. But, what does it MEAN when we call Him “God”?
*Nerd Alert*
Of the 3,336 times the English word “God” is used in the Old Testament it is translating the Hebrew word “Elohim” 2,200 times. The term “Elohim” is used to refer to other beings aside from the One True God. But of the 2,600 times it is used in the Bible, it is used approximately 2,026 of those to refer to God.
In Genesis 1 we can see that the main way it will be used in the Bible is to refer to Jehovah God, the creator of the universe.
“In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
This is God’s office name. It shows to all that hear it that God is divine. This name is intended to show the power and might that God holds as a part of His character. This power is seen very clearly in Genesis 1.
“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” Genesis 1:3
God in His power and might spoke the universe into existence. And in His power He reigns over all things and peoples, and will reign for eternity.
“The LORD shall reign for ever, Even thy God (Elohim), O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD” Psalm 146:10
“Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God (Greek: Theos) Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.” Revelation 11:17
Praying to God
Psalm 65 gives a beautiful example of praying to God. Please take a minute and read this Psalm now, a few of the verses will be quoted directly for context, with a few comments.
“1 Praise waiteth for thee, O God (Elohim), in Sion: And unto thee shall the vow be performed 2 O thou that hearest prayer, Unto thee shall all flesh come.” Psalm 65:1–2
God is THE God that hears our prayer. He is worthy of all praise. And we can be sure of an answer.
“5 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; Who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea: 6 Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; Being girded with power: 7 Which stilleth the noise of the seas, The noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.” Psalm 65:5–7
God’s answers to prayer will come by the same strength with which He made the world. He set the mountains in place and He stills the waves. God alone stands in authority to still the “tumult of the people.”
God sustains the earth. He gives water to the land, provides the harvest, and makes livestock produce bountifully (See verses 9-13). Yet in all this care for the vastness of creation, God doesn’t lose sight of the individual.
“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, And causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, Even of thy holy temple.” Psalm 65:4
He cares for all of creation, yet He cares for each person that He has chosen. God gives them access to Himself. God satisfies each and everyone with the “goodness” of His house.
God is the God of might. He is also God who hears and answers prayer. He is God who sustains His creation and calms the peoples.
Verse 5 calls Him “God of our salvation”. God’s love for us made the way to salvation for all who will believe in Jesus, God the Son.
“For God (Greek: Theos) so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
This gift meets the greatest need humanity has: Salvation from the penalty of Sin. And through this we have access to God like we see in Psalm 65.
This is a glimpse of what the Bible shows us of God with His name Elohim. What a comfort to pray to the creator and ruler of the universe!
Studying and Application:
- How can the consciousness of God’s power as creator influence how we pray?
- List 1-3 things that you are going to begin praying about. Decide on a time of the day to pray. This consistency will help you maintain a focus on the power of God throughout your day.
- Study the phrase “God of gods” in Psalm 136:2. What does the phrase indicate about the authority of the One True God?
