Fifth in The Lord's Prayer Series, "The best prayer to pray in times of stress"

At the start, we prayed "Our Father," but God's name is not father any more than your dad's name is dad.

To Moses God revealed his name as Jehovah, or "I am that I am" or "I will be that I will be." (Ex. 3:14-15; 6:2, 3)

We first encounter this name in Genesis 2:4, These [are] the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens. In the Old Testament Jehovah is used 6,823 times, translated "LORD" (in capital letters) in the KJV. (W. A. Pratney, The Nature and Character of God, Bethany House Publishers, 1988, p. 437)

All the names of God which occur in Scripture are derived from His works except one, and that is Jehovah … It teaches plainly and unequivocally of the substance of God … God is the self-existent one, the one who in himself possesses essential life, permanent existence. (Nathan Stone, The Name of God, Chicago: Moody Press, 1944)

In The Nature and Character of God the titles of Jehovah are set forth: (Pratney, op. cit. pp. 433-440; explanatory notes added by blogger)

1. Jehovah-Jireh — "Jehovah will see or provide" (Gen 22:14) Spoken by Abraham when a ram was provided by the LORD to sacrifice in place of Isaac.
2. Jehovah-Rophe — "Jehovah that healeth thee" (Ex 15:26) After coming to a place of bitter waters, the Israelites murmured against Moses. He cried out to the LORD who provided a tree that made the waters sweet. God promised health for his own who would follow his commandments.
3. Jehovah-Nissi — "Jehovah my banner" (Ex 17:15) The battle against the Amalekites was won because Moses' hands, holding the LORD's rod, were held up. The rod was the sign of God's abiding presence and power to prevail.
4. Jehovah-Mekaddishkem — "Jehovah that sanctifies you" (Ex 31:13; others) "No other name more truly expresses the character of Jehovah and the requirements of His people." (Stone, op cit, p 78)
5. Jehovah-Shalom — "Jehovah send peace" (Judg 6:24) When Gideon saw the angel of God he felt he would die, but instead God said, "Peace be unto thee …"
6. Jehovah-Zebaoth — "Jehovah of hosts" (1 Sam 1:3, others) The LORD is surrounded by a heavenly host of angels. We sometimes envision God as the leader of his army.
7. Jehovah-Tsidkenu — "Jehovah our righteousness" (Jer 23:6) The prophet Jeremiah foresaw the coming of the LORD Jesus who would be our Savior.
8. Jehovah-Shammah — "Jehovah is there" (Ez 48:35) The prophet Ezekiel foresaw the city of God, resplendent with Christ's presence and all of his people.
9. Jehovah-Elyon — "Jehovah most high" (Ps 7:17; 47:2; 97:9) Our God is the one true God who reigns over and above all.
10. Jehovah-Rohi — "Jehovah my shepherd" (Ps 23:1) Our LORD guides and keeps us by his rod and staff.

As we reflect on these titles of God we feel encouraged to hallow his Name. How amazing is his continual watch over his people. However, stress can cause us to wonder why the LORD does not provide immediate deliverance from our trials. Is he with us? Even John the Baptist asked, when in prison, "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" (Mat 11:3) He was soon to enjoy a perfect deliverance.

As we study God's titles and hallow his name we are encouraged to have patience: Without a doubt he will help even us.

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