A Thanksgiving Challenge
You have probably spent some time this year reflecting on WHO and WHAT you're thankful FOR, but have you spent any time reflecting on WHO you're thankful TO?
Last year, we issued a challenge to do just that, and we sent seven daily emails that focused on seven different names of God.
Read through last year's posts below, and sign up for this year's email posts so you don't miss a single one!
Day 1: Elohim
Psalm 139 tells us that God created us and knows us intimately. He is familiar with our thoughts before they even come to be! Thank Him for designing and creating YOU and reflect Him to a lost world through your thoughts and actions.
Day 2: Yahweh
Did you know that the name "YHWH" (which means, "I AM") occurs over 6500 times in the Old Testament? Originally, the name was considered too holy to even pronounce, so we're not quite sure how they pronounced it back then.
Vowels were added later in an attempt to make it easier to say. How do you experience His holy presence in you on a daily basis?
Day 3: Jehovah-Raah
There is so much comfort in the name Jehovah-Raah, the Lord my Shepherd (sometimes shown as Jehovah-Rohi). Read Psalm 23 today and reflect on the attributes of God as your Shepherd.
What valley are you walking through right now that requires you to rely on the Shepherd to get you through? His goodness and love will follow you through every single day of your life -- through the depths of the darkest valley and through the highs of the mountain tops!
Day 4: Jehovah Nissi
The name Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord is our banner, appears only once in the Bible. In Exodus 17:15, Moses built an altar to God after He gave the Israelites victory over the Amalekite Army.
Historically, banners were raised to be a rallying point for the people who fought under them as well as a warning to those who fought against them. It was a sign of protection and provision. God was claiming His people and warning their enemies that He would protect the nation of Israel.
God claims those who put their faith in Jesus as His, too! Someday all believers will sit under God's banner at the banquet table in heaven! As you celebrate Thanksgiving and sit down to enjoy all the special foods of the season with the people you love, imagine what it may be like to sit at the table of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Thank Him and praise His holy name!
Day 5: Jehovah Jireh
Isn't it incredible that we serve a God who knows us intimately and meets all of our needs? Abraham first used the name Jehovah Jireh (meaning "Provider") after God provided the ram to sacrifice so Abraham could spare his son's life...what a beautiful provision!
It's important to remember, though, that Abraham had to be willing to obey and follow God's will above his own before God provided the alternative plan. God desires to provide for our needs as well, but we must have faith and trust that His will and His timing are perfect.
So on this "Black Friday" day of shopping, let's focus on the ultimate provision God gave us on that original "Black Friday" so very long ago...the day that Jesus died on the cross to provide eternal life for all who believe in Him! Thank Him for the gift of eternal life through Jesus and tell others about Jehovah Jireh, our Provider!
Day 6: Jehovah Rapha
Today we praise Jehovah Rapha, our Healer! In Exodus 15, the Israelites celebrated God's deliverance of them from Pharaoh and the Egyptians who had pursued them into the sea and drowned. Following this time of great celebration and worship, the Israelites could not find drinkable water so they complained to Moses. God turned their bitter water into "sweet" water and once again provided for His people.
God told them that if they would listen and obey, He would not bring any of the diseases on them that He had brought on the Egyptians...because "I am the LORD, who heals you."
God heals us spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. However, sometimes He allows our sickness for reasons we may never fully understand. In such times, we must trust that His ways are not our ways, and we must use our sickness as a platform to glorify His holy name. No matter the circumstances, keep your eyes fixed on the Lord and trust Him in every way!
Day 7: Jehovah Shalom
Jehovah Shalom (meaning, our Peace) is the name that Gideon gave to the altar he built after he had "seen the angel of the Lord face to face" (Judges 6:22b, NIV). Gideon had to have been naturally filled with fear because no one was allowed to see God and live!
But God responded to Gideon's fears by proclaiming peace to him and telling him not to be afraid. God offers us His supernatural peace as well.
In Philippians 4, the Apostle Paul instructs us to rejoice in the Lord always and to be gentle to others. He then instructs us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
The result is that we will receive God's peace -- the kind of peace that transcends ALL understanding! Do you want that peace in your life? Life your prayers to God with thanksgiving, and trust Him! Trust His methods and His timing!
Want to receive more?
The seven names of God listed above are the ones that we sent last year. If you would like to receive this year's daily email with seven additional names, just click the button below to sign up!
