God Names | Devotional

Delve into the richness of biblical scriptures as we explore the significance of God's various names, providing daily reflections and prayers for a deeper understanding of your faith journey.

Fill in the blank: “____________ means everything to me!”
Everybody has an “everything.” Maybe it’s a spouse or children or a circle of friends. It could be high enough scores to get into a certain degree program.

The Hebrew word El (which is derived from a root word meaning “power, might, or strength”) is the most basic Hebrew word for god (referring to pagan gods) or God (referring to the God of Israel, the one true God).

Moses was the first person—as far as we know—to call God “the living God” (Deuteronomy 5:26). This designation placed the Israelites’ God in sharp contrast with the deities of their neighbors.

When two strangers meet and exchange handshakes and names, the inevitable first question is “So, what do you do?” A professional athlete might respond with, “I’m a linebacker for the Ravens.” A businessperson might reply, “I’m the VP of Sales for ABC Corporation.”


Our culture loves specialists. We don’t just go to the doctor—we go to the endocrinologist, the dermatologist, or the podiatrist. We seek out experts in other areas of life too. We ask an interior designer for help in updating the old home we just bought.

Jacob grew up in a God-fearing household, hearing the amazing stories of his grandfather Abraham and his father, Isaac. But the faith of his fathers didn’t take root in his own heart until adulthood, when Jacob had a series of personal, supernatural encounters with God.

We love being above others, which makes things interesting when we see God described as “God Most High” (El Elyon) in Genesis 14. This distinct name sets God apart from all would-be “competitors” or “rivals.”

The Bible uses the adjective gibbhor (“mighty”) to describe only a few people. Nimrod was called “a mighty warrior” (Genesis 10:8–9). King David had a group of “mighty warriors” who accomplished breathtaking military feats (2 Samuel 23:8).

Certain names have been associated with greatness. There was Alexander the Great or The Great Gatsby. Boxer Muhammad Ali was known as “the Greatest,” and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky was “the Great One.”

Momentous moments can be wonderful and terrible at the same time. They can fill us with delight or fear. But as wonderful as these created things are, they pale next to the Creator who made them. If they are glorious, He is infinitely more so.

Who wants to be thought of as jealous? This unflattering description brings to mind the petty schoolgirl who bitterly resents the spotlight that a peer is enjoying, or the fact that her rival’s boyfriend is cuter than hers.

“Lord our God, you answered them; you were to Israel a forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds.”
Psalm 99:8

David was no stranger to betrayal. Saul, the king he served with loyalty and distinction, hunted David for years—seeking to kill him! Later in life, David’s own son tried to steal his throne.

Companies eventually pass from one owner to another. Whether it’s a family business passed down from one generation to the next, or a larger corporation snatching up a rival, such transactions typically result in uncertainty.

Government agencies are lenient regarding impurities in our food supply. For example, in peanut butter there may be thirty or more insect fragments and one or more rodent hairs per 100 grams. Shocking, isn’t it?

The Old Testament (except for a few Aramaic chapters in the books of Ezra, Jeremiah, and Daniel) is written entirely in Hebrew. Hebrew is a beautiful language with rich words that often contain nuances our English versions can’t convey.


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