By Deaconess Lee Yi Ling
I was recently reminded of the days I served in Bible Study Fellowship. Every Saturday morning, we would begin our Leaders Meeting with an extended time of corporate prayer. Before petitioning the needs of the class, we were exhorted to call upon the attributes of God. For example – “You are a loving Father, who gave Your one and only Son for us. Nothing in all of creation can separate us from Your love.” Such a declaration of who God is, as revealed in Scripture, anchored our prayers and drew us to worship this God we know.
Amidst the turbulence of the past months, recalling some of the names and attributes of God has brought me deep comfort and assurance –
Jehovah Jireh – The Lord Will Provide (Gen 22:14)
The near-sacrifice of Isaac was a dramatic event in Abraham’s life. It was a test that proved Abraham’s faithfulness to God and God’s faithfulness to Abraham. When Abraham passed the test, God provided a sacrificial ram in Isaac’s place. Abraham declared, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” Millenia later, on that very mountain, God provided the ultimate sacrifice in our place – Jesus, the Lamb of God.
El Roi – The God Who Sees (Gen 16:13)
Hagar, the Egyptian slave, was fleeing from her mistress Sarai. She was pregnant with Ishmael and had nowhere to run. God heard her misery and appeared to her near a spring in the desert. Her encounter with the Lord led her to proclaim, “You are the God who sees me”.
Jehovah Shalom – The Lord Is Peace (Judges 6:24)
When we think of Gideon, his defeat of the mighty Midianites with a mere 300 men (whittled down from 32,000) comes to mind. However, in Gideon’s first encounter with God, he cried out in fear after realising that he had seen the angel of the Lord face to face. The Lord responded, “Peace! Do not be afraid…” Jesus later told his disciples, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Jehovah Nissi – The Lord Is My Banner (Ex 17:15)
Israel famously prevailed in battle with the Amalekites through Moses’ outstretched arms holding up the staff of God. Following their victory, Moses built an altar and called it ‘The Lord Is My Banner’. The banner represented deliverance and salvation from the Lord. Just as He fought for the Israelites, the Lord will fight for us, for the battle is His. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 15:57).
I realise how God has unveiled these aspects of Himself to me in this unexpected season. As Jehovah Jireh, He provided a much-needed period of refreshment, lifting my weariness from work. He provided plentiful time with my children, fulfilling my yearning to be more present with them. Whenever I felt despondent from news reports and the cares of life, El Roi saw and comforted me. Through the Revelation study, Jehovah Shalom flooded my soul with peace flowing from the assurance that He is still on the throne in these times. And though battles lie ahead, I know Jehovah Nissi will be in my battle camp, fighting for me.
Clinging onto these truths of God not only brings us hope. It can usher us into unchartered depths of intimacy and dependence on Him. Where you have a need, will you entrust it to Jehovah Jireh? If your heart is troubled, will you seek solace in Jehovah Shalom’s perfect peace? For those who feel forgotten or isolated, will you remember that El Roi sees and cares for you? As we battle this pandemic on many fronts (including spiritually), will you call on Jehovah Nissi to protect and deliver us?
Take time to draw near to the Lord, allowing Him to reveal Himself to you. As you meditate on all He is and has done, may He burden your heart to pray for those in our community and the world who need the provision, peace, and presence of God today.
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