Where do you run in times of trouble, worry or fear? When temptation seeks to overtake you? When your energy is spent? Where do you run in your time of need? Who do you turn to for answers? What is your go to “reaction” when things aren’t going well or going your way?
Why don’t we run to the arms of our all-sufficient God? I think it’s because most of us don’t really know our God. —Kay Arthur
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. —Proverbs 18:10
Why Study the Names of God?
What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. —AW Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy
- Names held great significance in Old Testament. Names were believed to reveal a person’s character. As we study God’s name we study His character and ways.
- God’s name is associated with His glory, power, holiness, protection, trust and love.
- To call on His name is to call in His presence.
- Because the Spirit of God dwells in us, we can call on His name at any time and in every need.
Though God’s name is holy and powerful, it cannot be invoked as a magic formula.
“His name becomes powerful when it is uttered by men and women who are exercising their faith in God.” —Ann Spangler, Names of God
Our Name of God this Week:
Elohim is the name for God as Creator. Elohim is the plural form of El. El is one of the oldest designations for divinity in the world. In the original Hebrew of the Old Testament, El means mighty or strong and is used for any reference to gods, including Almighty God. Elohim is the primary Hebrew word translated God. The ‘him’ ending is a plural ending indicating more than one. Its plural form is used not to indicate a belief in many gods but to emphasize the majesty of the one true God. He is the God of gods, the highest of all. Elohim occurs 32 times in the first chapter of Genesis.
We can study the names of God and grow in our knowledge of God. But it is my belief (based on God’s Word) that He desires more than just acquired knowledge in our lives. God’s desire is that we would ‘know’ Him and that knowledge would lead to life transformation.
And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. —John 17:3
His desire is that we would allow His Word and His Spirit to transform our hearts and lives so that we might not only know Him more, but reflect Him in a greater way to those we encounter every day. Each week as we study a name of God, I want us to reflect upon how we might walk out that name in our daily lives. In other words, how can knowing this name of God teach me to trust Him more fully, know Him in a deeper way and transform the way I live and interact with those around me. That’s the true purpose of any Bible study we undertake. So I’d like to share with you three things to remember this week as you seek to walk out His name, Elohim, Creator.
Walking in His Name, Elohim Creator:
#1 You are created in God’s image — Genesis 1:27
So, what does it mean to be created in God’s image? The Hebrew root of the Latin phrase for image of God—imago Dei—means image, shadow or likeness of God. You are a snapshot or facsimile of God. At the very least this means humans occupy a higher place in the created order because we alone are imprinted with godlike characteristics.
You are creative because God is creative. Genesis 1:1
You are spiritual because God is spiritual. Genesis 1:2
You communicate because God is communicative. Genesis 1:3
You are intelligent because God is intelligent. John 1:1
You are relational because God is relational. Genesis 1:26 and Genesis 2:18
You are morally responsible because God is a moral being. Genesis 2:16-17
—Dick Staub, About You ©2010
Take a moment to pause and read through Psalm 139.
What an encouragement! Our Creator knows us intimately. He is always near, always pursuing us, always caring for us. He knows the number of hairs on our head, our thoughts, our desires and our struggles. He has ordained every one of our days even before they came to be!
Do you see yourself as one who is deeply loved and constantly pursued by the Father? Are you intentional about cultivating a deeper relationship with the Lord by spending time with Him in His Word and in prayer? How would your life change if you lived with the constant awareness that you bear His image?
# 2 You were created to bring God glory — Isaiah 43:1, 3-7, Revelation 4:11
The word glory in the original language of the Old Testament means to give a correct opinion of estimate of.
We can often find ourselves wondering about our purpose in life. It’s one of the results of the Fall — separated from God, mankind began to look for purpose, security and identity in the created things rather than looking to the Creator. But God is clear about our creation purpose —we were created for a relationship with Him and to bring Him glory in all we do.
Do you walk daily in the realization of who you are in Christ Jesus? Do you walk daily seeking to bring Him glory in all you do? Do you magnify your flaws instead of magnifying the One who Created you, our glorious and awesome God?
# 3 You were created for good works that God had planned in advance for you —Ephesians 2:1-10
This passage in Ephesians is one of my very favorites. It’s the story of God’s redeeming and rescuing work in our lives in a nutshell. And the turning point, verse 4 “But God…!” But God chose not to leave us in our sin. He set a plan in motion way back in Genesis to redeem the people he had created for his glory. He not only redeems and restores us into a right relationship with himself, in Christ Jesus, but he desires that we might live to display His glory to a broken and lost world. He has given each of us gifts, talents and abilities for this very purpose. Are you using yours for the glory of God and His kingdom purposes?
How has your Creator God wired you? Are you fulfilling the purpose of your creation? What is keeping you from being or doing that for which you were created?
“You are a unique creation of God, one of a kind, created for His glory.” —Kay Arthur
This week as you read and study God’s Word and ponder Him as Elohim —Your Creator, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of your heart and life where you are not fully trusting God and believing what He says is true about who you are and your creation purpose.
As I type this post, the words of the hymn Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing are running through my head. I thought it might be an appropriate way to end. I hope you’ll take a moment to listen to the music video below.
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