Knowing the different biblical names of God provides confidence when we face various challenges. Knowing Jesus called Himself “the Resurrection and the Life” reassured me when I faced a scary medical situation. I realized the Lord is bigger than any prognosis. He has conquered even death.
Below are six names of God and what they mean for us today.
My Shepherd
“My shepherd; I have all that I need” (Ps. 23:1 NLT).
Jesus is the Good Shepherd who sacrificed his life for His sheep (Jn. 10:11). When we trust Jesus for salvation we become part of God’s flock. Knowing Jesus is my shepherd reminds me I am safe and secure because the Lord Himself is watching over me, defending me, and providing for my needs.
Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7 NIV).
I discovered these Scriptures early in my Christian walk. They have rescued me countless times from anxious thoughts and feelings. When I tell God my worries and thank Him for His care, He gives me peace. I’ve found that praying with thanksgiving is very different from worrying on my knees. (I wrote a whole chapter on this in Give Yourself a Break.)
The God of Hope
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13 NIV).
Author Hal Lindsey said, “Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air…but only for one second without hope.” Hope makes the difference in how we live. It’s also determined whether some people survived ordeals like concentration camps.
If God is the source of our hope then we have an endless supply—no matter how grim our circumstances appear. Notice, hope is released “as we trust in Him.” Faith in Christ, not in our idea of how things should turn out, activates hope.
Wonderful Counselor (Is. 9:6)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do” (James 1:5-8 NLT).
Our Lord already knows our needs, the future, and how to handle every situation. But He tells us to ask for wisdom. God wants a relationship with us. He uses our needs to draw us to Himself. We see again the role faith plays in activating God’s promises. Faith doesn’t mean feeling sure we know the right thing to do but being sure God will keep His promise and direct our steps. As always, God is the object of our faith.
The Vine (Jn. 15:1, 5)
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5 NIV).
Jesus calls us to abide in Him. When we do, His life flows through us and we bear fruit. Often, we reverse this order. We feel driven to achieve in order to prove our worth and find meaning in life. Abiding in Him and having His Word is in us makes us fruitful. Otherwise, we produce thorns! When we question our calling or value, remembering Jesus is the vine gets us back on track. My life has purpose and meaning because His life flows through me.
I AM
Perhaps the name He gave Moses says it all (Ex. 3:14). “I AM” is God’s way of saying, “I am whatever you need.” Jesus is the great I AM who is able to meet every need (Jn. 8:58).
Question: Which of His names is special to you? I’d love to hear a personal favorite.
Debbie W. Wilson is an ordinary woman who has experienced an extraordinary God. Drawing from her personal walk with Christ, twenty-four years as a Christian counselor, and decades as a Bible teacher, Debbie speaks, writes, and coaches to help women discover relevant faith. She is the author of Little Women, Big God and Give Yourself a Break. She and her husband, Larry, founded Lighthouse Ministries in 1991. Share her journey to refreshing faith at her blog www.debbieWwilson.com
