Using the name of the Lord in prayer and in worship
03 September 2021
A few weeks ago, we looked at some of the names of the Lord. This was our second lesson. A lot of water has reached the ocean since then, but this week we continue and move to the third lesson. You may often have heard the name Immanuel (He is with us), but have you heard of Shamar (keeper), Qadosh (holy), and Tsur (strength)? Let us take a look.
Jehovah Immanuel
The prophet Isaiah penned this well-known verse:
14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. – Isaiah 7:14
Today we use the phrase “The Lord God is with us”. Immanuel is not just Jesus, and definitely the innocent child we see portrayed on Christmas cards. He is also the Lord; He is God; and He is with us, always.
Have you experienced Him not to be particularly close to you recently? Maybe you are going through troublesome times and feel as if He is very far from you. Know that in these circumstances He is still with you, in the same way that He was with the disciples on the water during the storm, both in the boat (Mark 4:37) and on the water (Matthew 14:30). Sometimes we focus so much on what goes on around us that we forget that He said:
57The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us. – 1 Kings 8:57
This was confirmed by the writer of the letter to the Hebrews:
5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. – Hebrews 13:5
We often think God needs to be close to us when things go wrong, and we tend to forget about Him when we are sailing smoothly. However, He is always with us. In the coming week, think how you can apply this awesome aspect of God in your prayer and worship. Take comfort in the fact that it does not matter what the circumstances, He is with you. How close? This is what David wrote:
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4
Even when you are leaving this life and enter eternal life, He walks with you!
Jehovah Shamar
I am sure you have often read Psalm 121. Buried in this psalm is this amazing comfort:
5The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. – Psalm 121:5
In this context, “keeper” means “protector”. What does He protect the writer of? First, know that He does not sleep (verse 3) and therefor you need not fear that He is unaware of your situation. He is your protector (shadow) when the sun beats down (verse 5, 6); He keeps you from all evil (verse 7); and He preserves your soul – His presence in your life is like that of a preserving agent in food. Lastly, He keeps watch over everything you do (verse 8). In the coming week, thank Him that He is both Immanuel (God with us) and Shamar (God our Keeper).
Jehovah Elohim Qadosh
If only we cared so much that we would realise that our God is holy!
9Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy. – Psalm 99:9
We are commanded to exalt the Lord our God – to lift up His name and worship Him, because He is holy. Holiness is one of the primary attributes of God. Nothing that is not holy can stand in His presence. A life of dedication, confession of sin, and obedience allows use to always be in the presence of the holy God. In the coming week, think of the situations you find yourself in – the things you look at, the things you listen to, and the things you say. Do these situations fit in with the holy presence of God in your life? If not, then remove those things or remove yourself from them. Sin cannot exist in the presence of Jehovah Qadosh.
Jehovah Tsur
The Lord is my strength – exactly how David describes Him:
1Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: – Psalm 144:1
David was a warrior. Living with constant war he knew the intricacies of warfare. In this, he acknowledges the Lord as his strength, the One who prepares him. We may not be in a physical war at the moment, but there is definitely a spiritual war waged against us every second of our lives. The devil wants to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10) but God is our strength to overcome these onslaughts. When last have you asked God to be your strength, or do you depend on your own? When Paul needed strength, God promised it to him:
9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9
In our own strength we will fail, but when we rely on Jehovah Tsur, victory is guaranteed.
Conclusion
If God is with us (Immanuel), we know we are protected. In this week, let Him keep you (Shamar); realise He is holy (Qadosh); and understand that He is your strength (Tsur).
Listen to true worship that demonstrates the holiness of the Name of the Lord, by Paul Wilbur on:
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