Running Head: NAMES OF GOD1
Names of God
Name
Institutional Affiliation
NAMES OF GOD2
Introduction
Names are used for identification, and in some instances, they have meaning, and thus
different names can be used when referring a single person based on the meaning of the name. In
the bible, different names are used when referring to God as a way of conveying a specific and
personal meaning and identity. It is believed that the name of God is powerful, and according to
the bible, the name of the Lord is very strong like a tower where the righteous can run to him so
that they can get salvation
1
. In the world that feels insecure and full of chaos, the name of God is
the one that gives hope to humanity by believing in it hence providing comfort in the time of
sorrows.
God does not change, and therefore he has remained the same all through the generations
where he is trustworthy, powerful, and always loving. In addition, he is always present and,
therefore, aware of what human beings are going through. When faced by different uncertainties
of life, one needs to believe in his name and ask for help through prayers, and thus he will hear the
payers and helps human beings to overcome the challenges they are facing. It is during the prayers
that different names of God are used
2
.
3
Some of the commonly used names during prayers and
that have been used in the bible are Elohim, Abba, El Roi, El Shaddai, and Jehovah Rapha.
1
Florensky, Pavel. Early Religious Writings, 1903-1909. Grand Rapids
2
Hudson, Christopher. Book: 100 Names of God Daily Devo Flexi
3
Ibid
NAMES OF GOD3
Name of God: Elohim
Elohim is a name that is used, meaning God. The name is used as a reference to the
incredible might and the power of God. He is a supreme God who can be trusted in the world that
promotes false god and religions. Elohim therefore is used to refer to the one who is faithfully and
human beings can rely on him anytime. The name also is used to indicate the God is mighty over
the nature that includes everything happening in the world and heavens. He created everything in
the universe by his hand and also by mentioning that they be, and they came existence according
to the book of genesis one versus one in the bible. Also, he helps human beings to overcome the
challenges that they are facing, and therefore, one can be assured that he or she is held by the
almighty God in times of trouble
4
. The name Elohim has been used severally in the bible where in
some parts, it has been used with an addition of the name God of Abraham but in most cases
Elohim has been autonomously. Like the name Yahweh, Elohim has been used as a major
designation of God because this name refers to a deity, and it, therefore, comes virtually to be the
name for the true God.
5
The superlative of the power of God is clear in the bible wherein genesis 1:3 God (Elohim)
speaks a world into existence during creation, where he commanded the universe and animals and
birds to appear. Finally, he created a person out of his image.
6
His actions reflect the powers that
he has as it is evident when Jesus his son was on earth who would enable barren women like Sarah
4
Coogan, Michael. The New Oxford Annotated Bible: New Revised Standard Version
5
Ibid
6
Ibid
NAMES OF GOD4
and Rebecca to conceive through his name in genesis 18:10, genesis 18:14, and genesis 25:21
7
.
The power of God are seen when he enabled the oppressed to get out g Egypt according to the
book of exodus. The name Elohim therefore is used to mean that God has divine powers that help
human beings overcome their challenges and it is the same powers that were used during the
creation of the ear ad universe.
Name of God: Abba
The name Abba is used to mean father where God is referred to father because of his love
to human beings. God can always be trusted and depended on in every situation, unlike human
beings who disappear when their friends are in trouble. The name therefore is used to describe God
as a loving father who can be trusted and is always there for human beings when they are facing
different difficulties.
8
God is always present, and it is this presence that gives human beings the
strength to struggle in their daily lives and to achieve all that they need. The name gives human
beings an opportunity to be his children because of allowing them to call him father
9
. And since
human beings trust him as a father, they know that he will hear their prayers just like a father who
is always listening to his children, and therefore, when praying, one is sure that the prayers are
heard and will be answered
10
.
During the difficult times of human life, one can seek refuge in the name of the Lord
because he is the father of all human beings, and therefore, humans ask for help from him during
7
Mung, Rev T. Jehovah-Rapha: The Lord Who Heals.
8
Ibid
9
Zainul, Ajaaz. Chanting The Names Of God: An Awesome Marvel
10
Ibid
NAMES OF GOD5
the difficult times. According to the book of Galatians 4:6, it says that because human beings are
the sons of the Lord, this made him send the spirit of his son into the hearts of human beings. This
spirit calls out Abba or father
11
. The role of the father is the community is to protect his loved ones
and also to guide them on how they should conduct themselves.
12
In addition, a father is meant to
show love and care to the loved ones. God plays the role of a father in the lives of all human beings
where he protects and loves everyone. The name, therefore, Abba is used when referring to God
because he plays a role of a father in the lives of human beings through guidance and protection
and also the love he has to humanity.
Name of God: El Roi
El Roi is a name that is used when referring to God as the one who sees. The name points
to the character of God that he sees everything happen to human beings, and when they are facing
problems, he helps them to overcome the challenges. He follows human beings everywhere and
thus can see what they are going through, and his goodness is felt everywhere because he
understands what human beings are facing, thus helping them when they need assistance
13
. He
knows and understands the feelings of a person like when feeling lonely and without assistance in
a difficult situation, and thus one needs a reminder of God’s presence, then the name makes one
feel the comfort of God’s presence because the name assures one of God’s presence.
14
The name
11
Purnell, Dick. Knowing God by His Names
12
Ibid
13
Spangler, Ann. The Names of God: 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups
14
Ibid
NAMES OF GOD6
El Roi serves as a reminder that God is watching and that he is aware of all the affairs of people
and consequently, he is aware when one is feeling lost and unloved
15
.
In genesis 16:13, when Hagar had run away to the desert where she was sure that she is far
away from those who betrayed and hurt her, God surrounds her with her love. He was always with
her during her time of troubles protecting her and showing love that she needed at that moment.
This reminds people that God sees what they are going through and that he is therefore hem when
they feel lonely and unloved. He never left Hagar alone and also, he will not leave anyone alone
when he or she is in trouble. When Hagar saw that God was with her while in the desert, she gave
her the name the one that sees me because God did not abandon in her time of troubles
16
. His is an
indication that God sees what we are going through and is always there to comfort and protect us
when facing different uncertainties of life.
Name of God: El Shaddai
The name El Shaddai is used when referring to God as the almighty God. The name
reminds people that God is powerful and therefore, he is able to do anything even those that seem
impossible. In the book of psalms 91:1, it says that God is the mighty one hence we can run to
him. The name therefore reminds people that since God is powerful; they can seek refuge in him.
This gives comfort to people because the world is full of uncertainties and problems hence trusting
in God who is powerful is comforting. At one point in life, it is difficult to identify who to trust
when facing different challenges and thus God is the only one who can be trusted. Also, when one
15
Ibid
16
Spangler, Ann. The Names of God: 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups
NAMES OF GOD7
wants to know that the loved one who is far away are protected, they pray to God who is powerful
and omnipresent so that he can protect them. The name assures everyone that God is the almighty
and that he gives security that cannot be found in any other place or from another person. God sees
everything and is aware of what we are going through. Also he has the powers to lead and to walk
with us daily and even to cover us from behind. This indicates that living in God’s presence
provides shelter, rest and security that we need. In the book of psalms 91:1 it says that any person
dwelling in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the almighty
17
.
The name El Shaddai is used by human beings when referring to God as the almighty
because of what he can do. In the bible, there are various instances that his might is reflected during
the time of Abraham in Genesis 17:1.
18
The name therefore reminds human beings that God can
do anything even if it seems impossible to do because he is mighty and therefore capable of doing
anything. When people are faced with difficult situations, they trust in God who will help them to
overcome the challenges
19
. Also by believing that God is mighty, it makes one to always trust in
him and always asks for his assistance when facing different difficult situations. People face
different situations and since God is mighty, all prays for his guidance and assistance to overcome
the challenges they are facing since they believe that nothing is impossible to him and thus will
guide them through until they overcome the challenges they are facing
20
.
Name of God: Jehovah Rapha
17
Ibid
18
Ibid
19
Evans, Tony. Experience the Power of God's Names: A Life-Giving Devotional
20
Ibid
NAMES OF GOD8
21
Jehovah Rapha is a name that is used when referring to God as a healer. This means that
God is capable of healing the sick and thus when asking him to heal them, the name Jehovah Rapha
is used. The name gives hope to the sick because by hearing that God is a healer, they expect to be
healed of the various ailments that they are suffering from when they call the name of God. The
name reminds people that God is aware of their sufferings and thus they need healing
22
. He
promises that he will heal the sick and also helps everyone to overcome the challenges they are
facing when they call upon his name. Without God, then people would lose hope when they are
sick, but since God can perform miracles, all those who are sick trust in him and thus they have
hope of being healed. Even at times, the healing does not happen as per the expectations of human
beings, still people trust in him that he can heal and thus by believing in his name, one will finally
be healed
23
.
In the book of exodus 15:26, it says that if people listens carefully to the Lord and do what
is right in his eyes, and if everyone pays attention to his commands and ensures that they keep all
his decrees, then he will not bring any disease upon them because he is the Lord who heals. So,
people are expected to obey his commands s that he will not punish them with different ailments,
and those who are sick will be healed. This means that for people to be healed, they should respect
the Lord and obey his commandments, thus ensuring that he protects them from different ailments
and heals those who are sick
24
.
Conclusion
21
Ibid
22
Evans, Tony. Experience the Power of God's Names: A Life-Giving Devotional
23
Ibid
24
Ibid
NAMES OF GOD9
Different names are used when referring to God in different situations like during the time
of difficulties and during the times of ailments. Each name has a meaning, and it gives hope when
the name is used. For instance, when one is sick, the name used when referring to God when calling
upon him to heal the sick is Jehovah Rapha, which means the healer. The name, therefore, gives
hope o the sick because he is a healer and, therefore, is capable of healing them. Even though the
healing might not be instant after prayers, by believing in him, the sick person will finally be
healed. Also, other names with different meanings give hope also t human beings facing different
situations, and by believing in God he will not abandon them. People communicate with God
through prayers, and the names are used while praying as they ask for his assistance. This means
that the different names of God are used during prayers, and also they appear in the bible. Different
names are used because they encourage people to trust in God when they are facing different
challenges, and hence the names will make them trust in God knowing that he will finally help
them to overcome the challenges.
NAMES OF GOD10
Bibliography
Coogan, Michael. The New Oxford Annotated Bible: New Revised Standard Version. New
York: Oxford University Press, 2018.
Evans, Tony. Experience the Power of God's Names: A Life-Giving Devotional. Harvest House
Publishers, 2017.
Florensky, Pavel. Early Religious Writings, 1903-1909. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans
Publishing, 2017.
Hudson, Christopher. Book: 100 Names of God Daily Devo Flexi. 2019.
Mung, Rev T. Jehovah-Rapha: The Lord Who Heals. Thang S. Mung, 2018.
Purnell, Dick. Knowing God by His Names. Harvest House Publishers, 2016.
Spangler, Ann. The Names of God: 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups. Grand Rapids:
Zondervan, 2018.
Zainul, Ajaaz. Chanting The Names Of God: An Awesome Marvel. 2019.
NAMES OF GOD11
