Not through an audible voice, but through His Spirit’s meeting me right where I was. He saw my struggle, He heard my cry for help, and He answered me.
Recently I’ve been engaged in a daily battle – a battle to look to God for all that I need. Instead of running into His arms, I have been settling for lesser things, things that bring only fleeting pleasure and ultimately leave me empty.
But God spoke to me today while I was sitting in my car, enjoying a few moments of peace while sipping my coffee and nibbling on a pastry.
He directed me to read a devotional that I had come across recently, studying the names of God in the Bible. The first name of God listed was “El Shaddai”. This name of God is translated from the Hebrew text as “Almighty God”, with undertones of God’s providing His children with all the nourishment they need for life, as a mother’s milk provides life-sustaining nourishment to her child.
Our God is a God of almighty power and strength. He is the only One who has complete control over all of creation, and He promises to give His children the strength that they need to accomplish His purposes for their lives. And our Almighty God cares about us so deeply that He desires us to come to Him for all of our needs, just as a child relies solely on its mother.
What does this mean for me? In El Shaddai, I have the power to accomplish all that He has called me to do. Not only do I have His almighty power, but also His daily sustenance and provision to meet every single one of my needs as I serve Him.
How can I look for contentment in any other place than in His loving embrace?
My Almighty Father, my El Shaddai, thank You for teaching me more about Your character. Help me to look to You alone for the power and provision that I need to accomplish Your will for me.
“The LORD is my Shepherd; I have everything I need.”
Psalm 23:1
*I actually wrote this earlier in the week, but I have not been able to post it until now.
Have you ever wondered about the meanings of the beautiful names for Jesus mentioned in the prophecy of Isaiah 9:6 in Scripture? I have! And I wanted to do a little research on them. Here is an excerpt from an article that I found, entitled “Prince of Peace,” posted on December 21, 2009, updated on March 17, 2013 by Skip Moen. Enjoy! 🙂
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6
Prince of Peace – The last title in Isaiah’s name for the child is the most startling of them all. Today, we are so used to the “Prince of Peace” appellation for the Messiah that we no longer see how out-of-place this translation really is. We don’t realize that the Hebrew word sar (in sar-shalom) is almost always a designation for a vassal king or a subordinate authority. Isaiah does not want us to make this mistake. In fact, this is the only place in all Scripture where the combination sar-shalom is used. That should tell us to be very careful about how we translate this title. It is not to be translated in the usual way. This child is not a subordinate or lesser official in the Kingdom, as are all the rest of thesarim in the Old Testament. When Isaiah coins the title, sar-shalom, he is not thinking of Yeshua as a subordinate god. Isaiah is thinking of the further purpose of the Messiah, and that further purpose is not just about “peace” or about who has authority over peace.
How do we know that Isaiah doesn’t think of sar in the typically Hebrew way? Because Isaiah has already given us two other titles that can only be ascribed to God Himself, el-gibbor and abi-ad. The same child who is “mighty God” and “eternal Father” is also sar-shalom. So, “prince” cannot be correct. Some other translation is required.
To determine what sar means, we must think about the word shalom. Of course, shalom does mean “peace,” and the alliteration “Prince of Peace” has a pleasant sound. But “peace” is far too limited an understanding of shalom. Shalomis a word that really means well-being in all aspects of life; physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. When one Jew greeted another with the word “Shalom,” it need not mean, “Have a nice day.” It meant, “May all that you need for your well-being today come to you this day.” That’s shalom. This child is the official in charge of all shalom. This child is the “well-being authority.” If you really want shalom, then you must come to him, for he is the one divinely ordained to give it.
Of course, this means that Yeshua grants peace with God. But that is not the limit of His authority. All that is necessary for men to find well-being is under His care. When Jesus said, “Without me, you can do nothing,” He meant it. No effort toward well-being is accomplished without the expressed authority of Jesus, even if no one ever acknowledges His power over this effort. All that I need for a life well-lived is to be found in Him.
No, “Prince of peace” is not enough. His authority is much bigger than that. John tells us that His authority extends to all creation; that everything came into being through Him. This is no subordinate ruler. This is no prince. This is the King of glory, the absolute monarch of the ages, the Alpha and Omega of all that is. This child is Pele-yoez-El-gibbor-Abi-ad-Sar-Shalom. Quake before Him! Kneel in submission!
And then remember this: Amazingly, He loves you. Now you can rejoice!
“Offering,” (Christmas version)
Over the skies of Bethlehem appeared a star While angels sang to lowly shepherds Three wisemen seeking truth, they traveled from afar Hoping to find the Child from Heaven falling on their knees They bow before the humble Prince of peace
We bring an offering of worship to our King No one on earth deserves the praises that we sing Jesus, may You receive the honor that You’re due O Lord, I bring an offering to You
The sun cannot compare to the glory of Your love There is no shadow in Your presence No mortal man would dare to stand before Your throne Before the Holy One of Heaven, it’s only by Your blood It’s only through Your mercy, Lord I come
I bring an offering of worship to my King No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing Jesus, may You receive the honor that You’re due O Lord, I bring an offering to You
I bring an offering of worship to my King No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing Jesus, may You receive the honor that You’re due O Lord, I bring an offering to You
We bring an offering to You We are an offering to You An offering of praise we sing An offering to You
We are an offering to You, Jesus An offering of praise we sing An offering to You We are an offering, oh Lord
We are an offering of worship to our King No one on earth deserves the praises that we sing Jesus, may You receive the honor that You’re due O Lord, we bring an offering to You O Lord, we bring an offering
Offering to You We bring an offering to You We are an offering to You
Knees to the Earth 