For every need, there is a name of God that meets the need.
Our lack is perfectly engineered to magnify His perfect sufficiency. The great I AM stands ready with His supply from His eternal riches. His infinite supply magnifies in bold relief our complete dependence on Him. It is not I, but Christ. Celebrate how he reveals himself to you this week in his names.
When we need a hug, Abba-Father takes us in His arms to love us and protect us. (Romans 8:15)
When we need someone on our side, He is our Advocate, the divine lawyer who pleads our case. (Job 16:19)
When life has knocked us down, the Breath of the Almighty renews our life and refreshes our strength. He is vital to our existence, because in Him we live and move and have our being. (Job 33:4)
When we feel totally helpless, Faithful and True is absolutely dependable and trustworthy. (Revelation 19:11)
When the shame of the past weighs heavily upon us, the Father of mercies cleanses our sin and our memories in the sea of His forgetfulness. (1 Peter 1:3)
When we feel weary and discouraged, our God of hope lifts the burden of responsibility from our shoulders and puts it on His shoulders of government of our circumstances. (Psalm 42:5)
When we are stressed and overwhelmed, Jehovah-Shalom, our peace, floods our souls with assurance that He cares about every detail. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
When we can’t forgive ourselves, the blood of Jehovah-Tsidkenu, our righteousness, has wiped our slate clean, no matter what we have done, because He is our sinless sacrifice. (1 Peter 2:24)
When we treasure His salvation and desire His intimate friendship, the heart of Jesus bursts with joy. (Mathew 6:21)
When we have been wronged, our Righteous Judge settles all violations against us with perfect judgment, so we must not take matters into our own hands. (Jeremiah 11:20)
When we need guidance, the Spirit of Truth is the infinite Word of God available to us to give understanding that is accurate and reliable. (John 16:13)
We have everything we need, because His name is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
By Sylvia Gunter
Used by Permission
If Jesus isn’t a perfect father (Abba) to you, He can be. If you invite him into your life and let Him start loving and renovating your life from the inside out – He will. He longs to be in a loving relationship with you. Here is a suggested prayer:
Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me be the person You want me to be. Amen.
Is it the desire of your heart to make this prayer yours?
If yes, pray now and according to his promise, Jesus Christ will come into your life.
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2
This past March I stood on the top of a mountain, snowboard strapped to my feet. Not a cloud in the sky, clusters of snow-capped peaks as far as the eye could see. But was I taking it all in with joy?
Nope. I was miserable. My wife and I were halfway through our longest fight ever. Full-on trench warfare: unspoken words, silent treatments, sighs that salted open wounds. It was a grueling three weeks! Marriage is truly wonderful. Until it’s not. Then, it’s one of the most miserable places on earth, even if you’re on top of a mountain.
The book of Romans speaks of a different kind of alienation that brings unhappiness — separation from a holy and just God who cannot be in relationship with sinners until sin is paid for and forgiven. Alienation from God robs us of the joy He wants to give.
But Christ has made a way for permanent peace with God. Through faith in Him, we have been justified, given a right and secure standing with the Father. God is not trying to keep His distance from us. We have unlimited access to ask Him anything. The conflict is over!
So why avoid God for even one minute? Why give Him the silent treatment or approach Him timidly? When we sin, it may create a sense of alienation from God (and understandably so), but the days of actual separation are over. God is always ready to listen to our repentive prayers and to help us get back on track to where we’ll be full of joy again, even if we find ourselves standing at the bottom of a dark valley.
Dear God, thank you for the gift of forgiveness and right standing with you through the perfect righteousness of your Son. I ask you to cleanse and strengthen me today so I may love you better and walk in the joy you provide. Amen.