God's Names - Part I

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: God, Mighty Creator (Elohim)
Many years ago I became aware that in Hebrew there are many names, which describe who God is as well as His character. I would use what few words I knew in my prayer time with the Lord. Recently I acquired a book that lists 26 of those names and their meanings. Elohim (e-lo-HEEM) is the Hebrew word for God that appears in the very first sentence of the Bible (32 times in the first chapter). One morning as dawn began to break I looked out the window of my “prayer room” and began thanking the Lord for His beautiful creation, the trees, grass, flowers, the mountains – then I started thinking of other things He created, some strange things, such as the octopus, platypus, and penguins to name a few (which brought a smile to my face). But! As I was thinking of them I became awe-struck by the GREAT VASTINESS of His creativity – it is so UNLIMITED!! And then He created us – in His image – and gave us rule over all that He created. (Could I trust someone else enough to rule over something that I “created”?)

Then God said, “Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them and God said to them “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it and rule over the fish of the sea, and the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth”. (Gen 1:26-28 NAS)

Reflect on Genesis 1:26-28; 28:10-22; 35:1-8; Psalm. 102: Praise Him (Elohim) for His power in creating the heavens and the earth out of absolutely nothing. Praise Him for continuing to sustain it through His creative power. Praise Him for His unchanging nature – no matter what happens to us or to the world around us, God remains the same.

Give thanks: That God (Elohim) not only created you but made you in His own image. Thank Him for the way He has blessed you with the good things of the earth. Give thanks that He is perfect – nothing can be added or subtracted from Him to improve His nature.

Confess: Any tendency to forget that every human life, including your own (and the unborn), is sacred. Confess any tendency to take God’s earthly blessings for granted and any tendency to place God on your own level, as though He is subject to the same laws and limitations of creation as you are.

Ask God (Elohim): To renew your sense of wonder and gratitude for the things He has made. Ask Him to increase your desire to bless others with the gifts He has given you. Ask Him to help you perceive His greatness more fully so that you will not project your own feelings and judgments on Him. (Reference/excerpts from Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler)