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10 Minutes Peace
by Susan McGrath
I love the Hallelujah Chorus! This song joyfully exclaims many names of our Messiah: Prince of Peace, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, Wonderful, Counselor. These are but a few of the majestic names of our Lord. We sing of them at Christmastime, but often push them to the back of the study bible during the rest of the year. I have done studies on the names of the Lord and am always amazed at how diverse they are and how they pop up in scripture where I least expect them.
It is comforting to know that our God is not only three distinct beings in one - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - but also embodies many diverse qualities. I remember studying mythology in high school and again in college and learning the names and characteristics of many Roman and Greek gods. Although each culture had one god they considered the "father" or "master" of the other gods, many gods were required to control all the elements and issues in the mortal world. There were goddesses of wisdom and love, gods of fire, war and the sea and quarrels between them all. My guess is that the inhabitants of those ancient civilizations were confused, running around building elaborate temples and making sacrifices to numerous gods, yet never having any confirmation that their gods were real.
How wonderful that our God is one, yet has so many facets and names. How wonderful that those names include Jesus, meaning "God saves", Redeemer, Savior, the Bridegroom (with us, the church as the bride), Friend of Sinners, Man of Sorrows (who lowered himself to become one of us), Emmanuel (God with us).
Those are just a few describing Jesus, the son. Here are some others to ponder as we reflect on God's gift of Himself to us in the form of a child who would grow into his name of "God saves":
My Righteous Servant - Isaiah 53:11
A Sanctuary - Isaiah 8:14
A Stranger and an Alien - Psalm 69:8
My Shepherd - Psalm 23:1
Purifier - Malachi 3:3
Rock of Ages - Isaiah 26:4
A Great Light - Isaiah 9:2
The Word - John 1:1
The Consolation of Israel - Luke 2:25
Our Potter - Isaiah 64:8
Altogether Lovely - Song of Song of Solomon 5:16
Wisdom - Proverbs 8:12
The Lifter of My Head - Psalm 3:3
I Am - John 8:58
Alpha and Omega - Revelation 1
Then there are the original Hebrew names that we rarely hear except in song, but which sound very impressive and even imposing to me:
Elohim - Creator - Genesis 1
El Shaddai - God Almighty - Genesis 17:1
Adonai - Master - used hundreds of times
Jehovah-Jireh - The Lord Will Provide - Genesis 22:14
Jehovah-Rophe - The Lord Who Heals - Exodus 15:22
Jehovah-Shalom - The Lord is our Peace - Judges 6 24
Jehovah-Sabaoth - The Lord of Hosts - Isaiah 1:24
El Elyon - Most High - Deuteronomy 26:19
Shaphat - Judge - Genesis 18:25
El Roi - God Who Sees - Genesis 16:13
These are only a few of the glorious names of our Lord. Many books and websites give an extensive list and explain the meanings or these names and their significance to the people living at that time and to us today.
But for now, I encourage you to reflect on the mighty names and the mighty power of a baby born many years ago.
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a recovering journalist trying to encourage others and glorify God through writing;
living the small-town life with husband Tim and sons Lincoln, 12, and Sawyer, 6;
completing a few put-off writing projects while using chocolate for therapy.
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