What a beautiful name it is

Aug 04, 2023

“What a beautiful name it is, Nothing compares to this, What a beautiful name it is, The name of Jesus...” — these are the lyrics of a beautiful Christian song that speaks about the beauty, wonder, power and majesty of Jesus our God.

What is amazing is that there are more than 100 names and titles given to Jesus throughout the Bible. Some well-known ones include the ‘Alpha and Omega’, ‘Immanuel’, ‘Son of the Living God’, ‘Bread of Life’, ‘Prince of Peace’ and King of Kings’.

You must be wondering, “Say the name ‘God’ already can la right? Why must we know His other names in Hebrew also — so susah la!” There is nothing wrong just calling God, well ‘God’ in our prayers, but by using the specific names of God, can help us when we pray and gives depth and meaning to our prayers.

An article I read shared that names carry powerful significance and is not merely used to identify a person. A name reflects a person’s character and nature. So, the more we experience God and study His Word and know His different characteristics, the more we build our faith and trust in His immense power and majesty. And this awe, power, authority and praise we feel towards Him can be channelled in our prayer. Indeed, there is no other name like the name of Jesus.

There are also some very unique names of God which are extremely powerful, and I would like to share with you seven names that I have used during different seasons and moments of my life:

Elohim means “God the Creator” is the first Hebrew name for God and is found in the first sentence of the Bible. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” – Genesis 1:1. In the beginning, He created – just by the power of His spoken Word. So, when we pray to Elohim, we remember the God who created the world and all the beauty around us, the God who created us in His image, the God who created us and knitted us together and who knows each one of us by name. Call on Elohim when you worship and marvel at everything you have been gifted. It is a great way to praise, wonder and meditate upon His mighty works.

El Roi means the “God who sees me”. We encounter this name in the story of Hagar. Praying to El Roi, you are calling out to the One that sees you. The One that has the power to lift you out of every sadness and trouble you face. It is the name you can call when you feel alone when no one seems to understand or care. With El Roi, never believe you are alone, even in your darkest troubles for He is a God that neither slumbers nor sleeps. No matter how lost or alone you feel, El Roi, knows exactly where you are. After all, if He sees the sparrows and takes care of them, how much more will He care for us in our time of need and our struggles?

Jehovah Rapha is the name of the “Lord who heals” our body, mind and soul. This name can be found in Exodus when God says to His people that if they listen and obey His commands, He will not make them suffer any diseases sent on the Egyptians for He is the Lord who heals. Call upon Jehovah Rapha when you are in need of healing, and He will make you whole. He is the Great Physician. Throughout the Bible, we see God healing the blind, the lame, lepers and even raised the dead back to life. So, if you need healing, bring your brokenness to God for He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.

Jehovah Shalom means the “God of peace”. The name of Jehovah Shalom can be found in Judges 6: 22-24. When Gideon met with an angel of the Lord, the angel said to him “Peace be upon you” which so impacted Gideon that he built an altar to the Lord and named it Jehovah Shalom. God is the source of all peace and Shalom speaks of wholeness, harmony, and completeness. When we need peace, Jehovah Shalom becomes the cry from our hearts. He will give us peace beyond our understanding. He will give us calm amidst the storms of life. “Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!” - 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Jehovah Jireh means the “Lord will provide”. Abraham used the name Jehovah Jireh when he saw a ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son Isaac. Abraham memorialised that place with the name Jireh ‘The Lord Will Provide’ – Genesis 22:14. This blessed name of God can be invoked when we are going through challenging times. Bring your needs and worries to Jehovah Jireh the one who will provide. When we worry about how we are going to pay the bills and put food on the table, when we worry about our future, the Lord tells us to pray for He provides for our needs because He is the Provider God.

Jehovah Roi means the “Lord is my shepherd”. My favourite psalm, Psalm 23, captures the essence of Jehovah Roi, The Lord is my shepherd, I have all that I need. You are speaking to the one that knows you by name, the who watches over you day and night, feeding you and guiding you to the paths of righteousness. Our Lord is both shepherd and friend – he leads and guides us to safety, there is nothing to fear. “He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young” - Jeremiah 31:10.

Jehovah Tsuri means “God is my rock”. The beautiful Psalm 18 shares that God is our rock in whom we can find protection. He is our shield, the power that saves us, and our place of safety. He is our fortress, a safe place for retreat. He is our source of strength, our firm foundation. Jehovah Tsuri is also the cornerstone of God’s church. When your faith is shaken, remember that you are praying to the God who can always be counted on. He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. “Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.” - Isaiah 26:4

So dear readers, remember that, regardless of how you call God, He will answer you... in His time. “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, Lord, have not abandoned those who seek You” - Psalm 9:10

(“Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea”. Joanne Wong is on a journey towards having faith the size of a mustard seed. She is happy to connect and share favourite worship songs or app recommendations. Do email her at [email protected])