50 Names of God

50 Names of God

Watchmen Arise

Jesus says, “I am the Alpha & the Omega” (Revelation 1:8, 11 cf. Isaiah 44) and He seals it with “the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22:13). He is the Alpha, the Beginning, the Creator God from whom all things exist. His presence and power know no bounds (Psalm 90:2). He is also the Omega, the End, which implies He will ultimately redeem His people to Himself. Now, have you ever wondered why God, the Father, gives us His Son? When we have Him, we have everything! More importantly, there will be a consummation of the ages and all things where Jesus will stand as ultimate Judge and King! (Hebrews 9:26) Our time will one day come to an end. It is not as what many in the world have perceived as limitless. The question is, “What are you going to do with your time? Are you ready to face Him when time ends? What would the Lord say to you? Good and faithful servant or wicked and lazy servant?” May the Lord give you wisdom in grasping and declaring Jesus as the Alpha and Omega of your life!

Revelation 1:4-8 (ESV)
4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Isaiah 44:6-8 (NKJV)
6 “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel,
and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
‘I am the First and I am the Last;
besides Me there is no God.
7 And who can proclaim as I do?
Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me,
Since I appointed the ancient people.
And the things that are coming and shall come,
Let them show these to them.
8 Do not fear, nor be afraid;
Have I not told you from that time, and declared it?
You are My witnesses.
Is there a God besides Me?
Indeed there is no other Rock;
I know not one.’ ”

Revelation 21:5-7 (ESV)
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

Summary: Jesus is the Alpha and Omega. He has created all things. He judges all things. His grace is made evident and available to all who seek Him. Ultimately, He will deliver the Kingdom to God the Father and put an end to all other rule, authority and power and subject all things under His righteous rule and establish eternal peace!

Prayer: Jesus, You are the Alpha and Omega. You hold the world and time itself in the palm of Your hands! You are inside the bounds of time and also out of the bounds of time. Inside of time, we know You are always near us yet You are completely unbound by time. Your sovereignty and power are fully displayed in creation. Today, I look to you as I live and move and have my being. Help me to seize the time You have given me and serve your purposes in my generation. Amen.

The kings and rulers of the world are masters governing their kingdom and lands. They wield power and control with their authority. The word “king” or “kingdom” sometimes evokes mixed feelings of ambivalence. The triumphant return of King Aragorn in the tense cinematic moments of “Lord of the Rings – the Return of the King” exemplifies this. On the flip side, the evil Darth Sidious or the Emperor in the Star Wars series is the villainous archetype of an oppressive king. Yet, whatever feelings we may have, Jesus is totally different! He dined with sinners, touched the lepers, mourned with those who mourned, delivered the demon-possessed, raised the dead and talked to the rejects. Jesus came and ministered to those who were lost, last and least in society. His greatest delight is to obey God the Father’s will. His greatest pleasure is to restore mankind to what they were made for!

Matthew 12:15-21 (ESV)
25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:17-28 (ESV)
17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: 18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. 19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; 20 a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; 21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

Summary: Jesus is the Servant King. He is humble and meek, yet he commanded the storms and in zeal, cleansed the temple. His words bring healing and deliverance as well as love and acceptance. He lifts up the humble and rebukes the proud. He is the carer of the weak and the defender of the defenceless. He stands up for the powerless and faces up against the evil one.

Prayer: Jesus, you are the Servant King. Tutor me to walk the lowly path and serve whoever You send me to. Train me to minister in love, in faith and in power. Teach me to impart truth with grace. O Lord, take me with You and whenever You are, there I, your servant, shall be. Amen.

When a person is sick or unwell, we say his or her body is unsound. It is not functioning as per normal. In that sense, health and wholeness are to be understood synonymously. Hence, this holds true also in the spiritual realm. Sin came into the world through one man, and also death (Romans 5:12). Sin always brings with it consequences. Some consequences are disappointment, disillusionment, depression, sickness and even despair. Hence, our spirit man without Christ is “sick” with sin and its effects. Yet, when Christ comes into our lives, we experience God’s divine healing both through supernatural and natural means. The ultimate healing will happen when Jesus raises us up in complete wholeness through the resurrection! James tells us if anyone is sick, pray and apply remedies (James 5:14-15; Isaiah 38:21; 1 Timothy 5:23).

Mark 2:13-17 (ESV)
13 He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. 15 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Romans 5:17 (ESV)
17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 53:4-6 (ESV)
4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Summary: Jesus is the Great Physician. He has taken our sins and its afflictions and death when He went to the cross. For our sins, He died and for our liberty, He was raised! Jesus has not only saved us from spiritual death and physical affliction, but will also save anyone who calls upon Him for help.

Prayer: Jesus, you are the Great Physician. Thank you for delivering me from power of darkness and death into light and life! It is in You and through You that I receive forgiveness, restoration and wholeness! Pause: Take time to pray for yourself or others who are unwell. Lord, Your Word promises healing and restoration. I speak life, wholeness and wellness to those who are unwell in their bodies, souls and spirits. Thank You for touching them right now in a special way. Let them rejoice in Your healing. Amen.

Words communicate. Words such as “loved, forgiven, accepted, restored, called and sent.” Jesus is the communication of God to humanity. He is wisdom personified. In the Old Testament, God sent His prophets as His mouthpiece. God is the Ancient of Days in Daniel 7:9, 13, 22, revealing Himself in the likeness of human appearance and this was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. In the New Testament, He sent His Son! The Word who was, and is and is to come, took on flesh. Jesus is the personification of the spoken and written Word. Only He can give true light to anyone who receives Him. Words are not just a medium by which information is conveyed. It has the power to bring forth a powerful outcome: Redemption! “He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God”, (Revelation 19:13). In an unhurried way, feast and ingest the Word of the Lord today. Be still and hear what the Lord is feeding you. As you receive the nourishment, feed others.

John 1:1-5, 9-18 (ESV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

Summary: Jesus is the Word of God. He came to bring understanding to what was not heard, clarity to what was not known, and revelation to what was hidden. He came to that you and I so we may be able to hear Him and receive Him.

Prayer: Jesus, You are the Word of God. You spoke and the world was created. You brought into existence the universe. You are able to restore order out of chaos. Thank You for speaking into my darkened life so that I see Your Light. Today, I ask of You to reveal Yourself to me through Your revealed Word. Oh Holy Spirit, only let me hear Your still, small voice. Reveal to me, today, the deepest and dearest thoughts of God for the world, church and me. Only give me the joy to worship and praise You as well as the grace to follow. Amen.

Art Linkletter, a Canadian T.V. personality from “Kids Say the Darndest Things” saw a young boy drawing a picture. He inquired, “What are you drawing?” The boy replied, “A picture of God.” Linkletter told the lad that no one knows what God looks like, to which the boy confidently responded, “They will when I get through.” Is it true no one knows what God looks like?
Creation is made by the word of the invisible and immortal God. God is spirit and though unseen (John 4:24), what is to known about Him, His eternal power and divine nature, can be understood from what is seen (Romans 1:20). In an attempt to measure the observable universe, excluding the unobservable, scientists estimate it to be 93 billion light years! A light year is 1,079,525,849 km/h! The sheer immensity of creation displays His glory and reveals His invisible qualities. Even more noteworthy, the cosmic universe is but a fraction of the stupendous glory, power and presence of God! God came, in the form of man and born of a virgin, the man and God, Jesus Christ. In Him, the fullness of God dwells. And in Him, the infinite became finite. The invisible became visible. Therefore, all that we need to know about God is fully and completely revealed in creation and scripture. In the last days, it is revealed through Jesus from whom we have access to God!

Colossians 1:13-23 (ESV)
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Summary: Jesus is the Image of the Invisible God. He exists before all things. In You, all things are being held together. It is in Jesus that we are reconciled as sinners and received as children of God and released to declare His wondrous glory and grace.

Prayer: Jesus, You are the image of the invisible God. Thank you for making it so plain so that none of us has the excuse to deny You. You are revealed in nature as well as in scripture. Bring us into a deeper and fuller appreciation of Yourself and Your presence in our lives and Your work in the world. Make Yourself so tangibly felt and experienced as we welcome you. For it is in the glory of your self-revelation (Theophany) that we receive grace upon grace. Amen.

Beginning on 8th September 2025, let us come together in your Micro-Cell to pray through the 50 Names of God.

This journey will be a beautiful opportunity to know Him more deeply—to discover His character, His attributes, and His heart.

As you walk this path, you will grow in confidence, fully assured of the One to whom you lift your prayers.

The Christian faith is not only about our personal relationship with God, but also about walking in fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

When we pray together in our Micro-Cell, the bonds of love and trust grow stronger, building a community where we can support and rely on each other.

It is about opening our lives to others and, in turn, stepping into theirs—sharing, caring, and growing side by side.

This is the kind of vibrant, relational life we see in the book of Acts, where believers lived out their faith together in unity and love.

HOW DO I START?

First Things First: YOURSELF

Be Ready: Have your Bible, journal & pen as you access our devotional.

Be Open: Come to God and let Him surface what is most pertinent. Carry it to the Lord as you read, pray & journal down what God is speaking.

Be Still: Everyday, draw near to God as He draws near to you. Write down what you sense, see or hear God speaking through the scripture concerning Himself. Jot it down.

Be Bold: Pray over the particular name of God. Over each weekend, let the Lord distill and surface out your key thoughts. Review your prayer journal, look out for certain breakthroughs or answered prayer.

Be Revived: Revival comes when God’s people pray according to His purpose & will! His names tell us exactly that!

Gather In Group of Three to Six

In the gathering of two or three witnesses, it shall stand (Matthew 18:16). More importantly, it is also in that gathering that God is in the midst of us (Matthew 18.20).

A powerful and personal encounter awaits every disciple when we meet God in this fashion.

Weekly Rhythm (Monday–Friday):
• One new Name each day.
• Five Names per week.
• Fifty Names over 10 weeks.
• Saturday – Ekklesia@19 Moulmein Rise.

• Sunday – Reflection on which Name of God speaks to you this week.

Prayer Time: In this season, we challenge everyone to go into groups of three to six for a simple 15 min of sharing and praying with one another. Note: Keep to min. 15min.

Prayer Format: Individual Sharing on God’s Download (1min per person), then followed by Group Prayer (10min) & Closing Prayer (2min).

Prayer Posture: Boldly declare and decree the Names of God over one another.

Prayer Breakthrough: As God breaks through in your situation, share and declare it! This encourages and inspires others to press in to God in faith!

Yahweh (YHWH) is the most used name of God in the Bible. Just in the Old Testament alone, it occurs 6,519 times! It first appears in Genesis 2:4, “These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the YHWH (Lord God) made the earth and the heavens.” God spoke and it was done. When God made Man, He breathed into us. Interestingly, the Hebrew letters: Yud, Hay, Vav, Hay requires us to breathe in order to pronounce the name of God! As you breathe in & out, you call out the name of God! Try it. Breathe. Pronounce. Call upon “Yahweh”. Psalm 150:6 says, “Let everything that has breath praise YHWH (the Lord).” In sadness, we sigh. In fear, we hold our breath. In joy, we burst out laughing! In all feelings, we breathe. From our first to our last breath, we call out the name of YHWH. So breathe and call out the name of God today. YHWH.

Exodus 3:13-15 (ESV)

13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord (YHWH), the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.

Summary: Yahweh is a relational and covenant-keeping Creator God. We are made to call upon His name all through the days of our life.

Prayer: Yahweh, I call upon you today, Yud, Hay, Vav, Hay. I declare that You are my Jehovah, and You are my Lord. Through Your Word, all things came into existence. Through your breath, Man became a living being. Come, breathe on me, through your Holy Spirit. I declare your Lordship over my day, over my all and over my life. Amen.

God will never call you beyond what He cannot provide. Yet, the walk of faith needs to be worked out, and until then God’s provision awaits. Just as the ram arrived, Abraham arrived and was caught in the thicket of faith. Faith is total surrender in the arms of God. It is the helpless and hopeless in the powerful presence of God. He is able to provide beyond what we can possibly imagine or ask!

Genesis 22:1-14 (ESV)
1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.
4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. 9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

Summary: Jehovah Jireh is the Provider and Giver of all things good! Look to Him today. If He has given us His Son, what else will He not give? Ask, Seek & Knock and let Him surprise you by what He has in stored for you!

Prayer: Jehovah Jireh, I believe You have a wonderful and marvelous plan for me. For You can provide above and beyond what I can possibly imagine. I know that You care for me more than I care for myself. Unlock heaven’s storehouses, release Your provision, and through the Holy Spirit empower me to do the good works that You have prepared beforehand for me to step into. Only give me the faith, O Jehovah Jireh, for me to step in. Amen.

The word Rapha (râpâ’) means “to restore”, “to heal” or “to make healthful” in Hebrew. When the two words are combined – Jehovah Rapha – it can be translated as “Jehovah Who Heals.” (cf. Jeremiah 3:22, 30:17; Isaiah 30:26, 61:1; Psalm 103:3) Jehovah is the Great Physician who heals the physical and emotional needs of His people.

Exodus 15:22-27 (ESV)
22 Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. 24 And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25 And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the Lord made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them, 26 saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.” 27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there by the water.

Summary: Jehovah Rapha is the Restorer of life and health. If you or someone you know are unwell, ask God to bring healing to their body, emotions & even relationships today!

Prayer: Jehovah Rapha, You are the God who forgives all my iniquities and who heals all my diseases. Lay Your hands upon me, heal me, from whatever separates me from you. Heal my body, soul & spirit through Jesus Christ my Saviour. Heal my heart so that life giving words shall flow from my lips. Prompt and remind me to tend to my body as it is Your temple. Amen.

Jehovah is translated as “The Existing One” or “Lord.” The chief meaning of Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word Havah meaning “to be” or “to exist“. It also suggests “to become” or specifically “to become known” – this denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly. Sabaoth (se bâ’ôt) means “armies” or “hosts.” Jehovah Sabbaoth can be translated as “The Lord of Armies” and first appears in 1 Samuel 1:3 as the title by which God was worshipped at Shiloh. This name denotes His universal sovereignty over every army, both spiritual and earthly. The Lord of Hosts is the King of all heaven and earth.

Differing from the preceding names, Yahweh ṣeḇā’ôṯ, ‘the LORD of hosts’, is a divine title. It does not occur in the Pentateuch. It was used by David in defying the Philistines (1 Samuel 17:45) and David again makes use of it as the climax to a glorious song of victory (Psalm 24:10). It is common in the prophets (88 times in Jeremiah), and is used to exhibit Yahweh at all times as the Saviour and Protector of his people (Psalm 46:7, 11). The ‘hosts’ may originally have been the armies of Israel, as in 1 Samuel 17:45, but at an early date came to comprise all the heavenly powers, ready to do the LORD’s command.

1 Samuel 17:40-47 (ESV)
40 Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine. 41 And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. 42 And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. 43 And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.44 The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.” 45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.”

Summary: Jehovah Sabbaoth is the Lord of Hosts! Through Him we are overcomers! In Him, we are the majority! Bring to Him all your challenges and problems, whether financial or relational, let Him bring about the breakthroughs in your life.

Prayer: Jehovah Sabbaoth, You are the Lord of Hosts. I declare Your divine protection over my life and over my household. Watch over our coming in and our going out, our resting and our rising. Through You, I nullify any and every form of evil that is formed against me. I proclaim victory as You have declared that I am more than a conqueror through You who strengthens me! Amen.

Jehovah Shammah, only occurs once, is a symbolic name for the earthly Jerusalem. The name indicates that God has not abandoned Jerusalem, leaving it in ruins, but that there will be a restoration. Shammah is derived from the Hebrew word sham, which can be translated as “there.” The name, Yahweh šāmmâ, ‘the LORD is there’ is given to the city of Ezekiel’s vision (Ezekiel 48:35). Yahweh who reveals Himself unceasingly is “there” in this special and precious city of Jerusalem. From the 1948 War of Annihilation on Israel till today’s peace, we know God is using this nation for His end-time fulfilment.

Ezekiel 48:30-35 (ESV)
30 “These shall be the exits of the city: On the north side, which is to be 4,500 cubits by measure, 31 three gates, the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah, and the gate of Levi, the gates of the city being named after the tribes of Israel. 32 On the east side, which is to be 4,500 cubits, three gates, the gate of Joseph, the gate of Benjamin, and the gate of Dan. 33 On the south side, which is to be 4,500 cubits by measure, three gates, the gate of Simeon, the gate of Issachar, and the gate of Zebulun. 34 On the west side, which is to be 4,500 cubits, three gates, the gate of Gad, the gate of Asher, and the gate of Naphtali. 35 The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There.”

Summary: You are Jehovah Shammah. You are in the past as much as in the future! He is close to us in the present and has also gone there to the future. Rest in the thought of knowing He walks with us each day, each month and each year into the future He has intended.

Prayer: Jehovah Shammah, You are forever in my life. I appreciate You for Your faithfulness which has seen me through the seasons of my life. Most of all, Your abiding presence is now made evident in Christ through the Holy Spirit. Please reveal Yourself to me today. Let me know that You are near and help me hear when You speak. Amen.

This is the name by which Messiah shall be known, Yahweh ṣiḏqēnû, ‘the LORD is our righteousness’ (Jeremiah 23:6, 33:16), in contrast to the last king of Judah, who was an unworthy bearer of the name Zedekiah (ṣiḏqiyāhû, ‘Yahweh is righteousness’). It only occurs two times and the first time is in Jeremiah 23:6. Tsedek (tseh’-dek), from which Tsidkenu derived, means “to be stiff,” “to be straight,” or “righteous” in Hebrew. When the two words are combined – Jehovah Tsidkenu – it can be translated as “The Lord Who is our Righteousness.” In the New Testament, the word ‘righteousness’ occurs 228 times and at least 40 times in the book of Romans! The root word ‘righteousness’ (Greek: dikaiosuna) means to move in a straight line. Righteousness with reference to morality means “living or acting in the right way”. While we may have missed the mark, but Jesus has fulfilled it all!
Jesus is indeed our righteousness from which we stand confidently in the presence of God. (Romans 5:20-21)

Jeremiah 23:1-6 (ESV)
1 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. 2 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the Lord. 3 Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord.
5 “Behold, the days are coming, ” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness. 

Summary: Seek the Lord today in full confidence that you can enter the Holy of Holies through Jesus. Jesus is your righteousness.
The Holy Spirit and Word are able to steer and guide you in every choice and decision. Stand in that confidence todayl

Prayer: Jehovah Tsidkenu, You are my righteousness. Whatever I lack, you have fulfilled and completed! I declare the righteousness of Christ over my life. Indeed, You have declared me as righteous! Indeed, the righteous shall live by faith. Help me to rest in the full certainty of what You have done and not what I have done. Help me to rise, stand and move in a straight line over every matter of life and faith. Amen.

Nes nēs from which Nissi derived, means “banner” in Hebrew. In Exodus 17:15, Moses, recognizing that the Lord was Israel’s banner under which they defeated the Amalekites, builds an altar called Jehovah Nissi (the Lord our Banner). Nes is sometimes translated as a pole with an insignia attached. In battle, opposing nations would fly their own flag on a pole at each of their respective front lines. This was to give their soldiers a feeling of hope and a focal point. This is what God is to us: a banner of encouragement to give us hope and a focal point. Indeed, the Lord who reveals Himself unceasingly is a banner over us!

Exodus 17:8-16 (ESV)
8 Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. 9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword. 14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner, 16 saying, “A hand upon the throne of the Lord! The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”

Summary: The Lord has raised His banner over you! You are part of His Kingdom’s mighty army whom He will unleash for a great harvest of souls! When we enter from darkness to light, we have also entered into a warfare as we have made our stand with the King of kings and Lord of lords. Rest assured, victory is already won! The banner of God over you says, “You are His!’. Under His banner, you shall prevail!

Prayer: Jehovah Nissi, You are the Banner over me! Lord, I know the battle I am constantly waging is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, powers and spiritual forces of evils. (Ephesians 6:12) I proclaim Your Sovereignty and Your Power over Singapore and my life. I stand in agreement with God that He will release a greater measure of His Presence through the Holy Spirit at Petra and in my life. Release the power of Your Word and confirm it with signs and wonders. Lord, set the captives free and heal the sick in Jesus’ name. Release creative demonstrations and powerful displays of Your might as we share the gospel of Christ. Amen.

The Lord as a shepherd runs through the entire Bible. This shepherd and sheep relationship conveys an intimate relationship. In verse 1, “my shepherd” denotes ownership and “my sheep hears my voice” (John 10:27). It is clearly seen in the translation of the word, “Raah”, as “friend” or “companion“. Hence, it can be translated as “The Lord my Friend.” And this Shepherd-Friend demonstrated His love by dying on our behalf. “The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6) and “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13).

Psalm 23 (ESV)
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Summary: The Lord is our Shepherd who knows us intimately well and His love for us is deep. He walks and watches over us night & day. His presence is our greatest comfort & security! Today, ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Close your eyes & wait upon Him. Let Him shows you or whispers His words of love to you day. Appreciate Him on His revealed character.

Prayer: Jehovah Raah, You are My Shepherd. You who watch over me knows my every need. Lead me and show me Your abundant love. Grow me and form me in your righteousness. In times of fear, show me that You are near and here with me. Guard and guide me in my every step. Let my days be filled with the pleasure of Your Presence. Bestow unto me blessing, honour, glory and power. Amen.

Mekoddishkem derives from the Hebrew word qâdash meaning “sanctify,” “holy,” or “dedicate“. It only occurs two times. Sanctification is the separation of an object or person to the dedication of the Holy. When the two words are combined – Jehovah Mekoddishkem – it can be translated as “The Lord who sets you apart.” Moses who personally encountered God in the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-6) was told to remove his sandals as he approached God. In the same vein, Moses was reminded in Exodus 31 that he has to ensure Sabbath keeping which God has ordained since Genesis 2. It is a weekly pause to rest and be refreshed in God. Mark 2:27 says that it was made for man. Thus, we are to look upon the Sabbath as a delight. (Isaiah 58:13)

Exodus 31:13 (ESV)
You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, ‘Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the Lord, sanctify you.

Leviticus 20:7-8 (ESV)
7 Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. 8 Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you.

Summary: Holiness is intrinsic to the very being of God! When we enter into a covenantal relationship with God, we enter into a holy relationship with God, where we are called and made holy. (Leviticus 19:2, Hebrews 10:10). No amount of work can make us any holier than what Christ has already accomplished!

Prayer: Jehovah M’Kaddesh, You are holy. Through Christ I have been imputed with His righteousness. Not by my works but only through His grace. I stand today totally righteous and completely sanctified through the blood of Christ. I declare that I am righteous and free in Christ. No sin has power over me. No accusation shall stand against me. Jesus is indeed my Saviour, Redeemer and Advocate. Holy Spirit, come and sanctify my thoughts, my speech, my actions and my heart. Let the overflow of my heart please yours. Amen.

Jehovah is translated as “The Existing One” or “Lord.” The chief meaning of Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word Havah meaning “to be” or “to exist.” It also suggests “to become” or specifically “to become known” – this denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly. Shalom is a derivative of shalem (which means “be complete” or “sound“) Shalom is translated as “peace” or “absence from strife“. Jehovah Shalom the name of an altar built by Gideon in Ophrah. It occurs only once in Judges 6:24.

Judges 6:16-24 (ESV)
16 And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.” 17 And he said to him, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, then show me a sign that it is you who speak with me.18 Please do not depart from here until I come to you and bring out my present and set it before you.” And he said, “I will stay till you return.” 19 So Gideon went into his house and prepared a young goat and unleavened cakes from an ephah of flour. The meat he put in a basket, and the broth he put in a pot, and brought them to him under the terebinth and presented them. 20 And the angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened cakes, and put them on this rock, and pour the broth over them.” And he did so. 21 Then the angel of the Lord reached out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened cakes. And fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened cakes. And the angel of the Lord vanished from his sight. 22 Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the Lord. And Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.” 23 But the Lord said to him, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.” 24 Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord Is Peace. To this day it still stands at Ophrah, which belongs to the Abiezrites.

Summary: God has revealed His peace to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus has, indeed, broken down the wall of hostility between God and us. Most of all, His peace is also made available for us in a tangible and real sense (Philippians 4:7). May you experience His peace over the world, our nation, your workplace, family and yourself today!

Prayer: Jehovah Shalom, You are my Peace. Thank You, Lord, for breaking down the walls of hostility between You and I, and the alienation between others and myself. Jesus, by Your command, You still the storms and calm the waves. You created order out of chaos. Today, I speak Shalom to my body, my soul (emotions, mind and will) and my spirit. I speak Shalom over my family and my church. Let Your Peace be felt. Amen.

Day 11: Elohim - God the Creator God |22.9.2025

Elohim is translated as “God.” The derivation of the name Elohim is debatable to most scholars. Some believe it derived from ‘êl which, in turn, originates from the root word, ‘wl (which means “strong”). Others think that Elohim is derived from another two roots: ‘lh (which means “god”) in conjunction with ‘elôah (which means “fear”). And still others presume that both ‘êl and Elohim come from ‘eloah. It occurs over 2000 times in the Old Testament and is first used in Genesis 1:1.

Genesis 1:1 (ESV)
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Genesis 2:4 (ESV)
These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God (Jehovah) made the earth and the heavens. (ESV)

John 1:1-4 (ESV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God (Theos), and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. (ESV)

Summary: Before time began, God had already conceived you in His heart and mind! (Ephesians 1:4) God is self-existing and not contingent on anything else for His existence. (John 1:3) In other words, His power, His wisdom and His love are completely inherent in Himself! Indeed, we worship a great and an awesome God who deserves our praise! Amen.

Prayer: Elohim, You are the strong Creator God from whom all things came into being. Nothing exists without You! You are the only Creator and everything else is created. For in You, I find my security and safety as nothing is impossible for You. I declare Your creative power over my life. Creatively weave my passion, my personality, my character, my skills and gifts, my experiences, my connections, my all, to a point of convergence in Your calling on me. Give me grace over my weakness, courage over my fears and hope over uncertainty. Amen.

Elyon is an epithet of the God of the Israelites in the Hebrew Bible. It is usually rendered in English as “God Most High“, and similarly in the Septuagint as “God the Highest“. In the Old Testament it occurs 28 times. It occurs 19 times in the Psalms. The context is when Abram with his nomadic tribe rescued his nephew Lot and his family from the confederacy of four kings! In his return, Abram met Melchizedek, King of Salem (King-Priest of God Most High)!

Genesis 14:17-24 (ESV)
17 After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) 19 And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;
20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”
And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. 21 And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.

Summary: God is exalted above all! In fact, at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and tongue confess that He is Lord! His supremacy is over the natural & supernatural realms. His wisdom, power and love know no bound! Whatever He purposed before the creation of the world will be brought to complete end at the end of the world where He will be seated on the throne forever sovereign and eternally exalted! (Philippians 2:9-11; Colossians 1:15-18; Revelation 1:13-16)

Prayer: El Elyon, You are indeed the Lord Most High! I praise You for all Your wondrous and mighty deeds. There is no one who can compare to the power of Your might!

Adonai is the verbal parallel to Yahweh and Jehovah. Adonai is plural; the singular is adon. With reference to God, the plural Adonai is used. When the singular adon is used, it usually refers to a human lord. Adon is used 215 times to refer to men. Occasionally in Scripture and predominantly in the Psalms, the singular adon is used to refer to God as well (cf. Exodus 34:23). To avoid contravening the commandment “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain” (Exodus 20:7), Adonai was sometimes used as a substitute for Yahweh (YHWH). Adonai can be translated literally as, “my lords’ ” (both plural and possessive).
In the Old Testament it occurs 434 times. There are heavy uses of it in Isaiah, e.g., Adonai Jehovah. It occurs 200 times in Ezekiel alone and appears 11 times in Daniel Chapter 9. It is first used in Genesis 15:2 and also in Genesis 18:27, Judges 13:8, Ezra 10:3 and Nehemiah 1.11 where God is submissively and reverently addressed.

Genesis 15:1-6 (ESV)
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son[b]shall be your heir.” 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

Summary: Adonai, You are the Lord and Master of my life. Let all the recesses of my mind and emotions be subjected to Your reign. You are Lord and I am not. I surrender all my dreams and hopes for the future into Your hands. I submit to Your reign. I will be where You are and do whatever Your are doing (John 12.26). Only reveal Yourself to me and You are all I seek and follow. Amen.

Prayer: Adonai, You are my Master and my Lord. For indeed, You are Great and Mighty. There are no other gods but You alone! You are Master over all. You who hold the universe in the palm of Your hand, I surrender to You and my desire to control. I declare Your Lordship over all my wishes and dreams, my desire to control and manipulate, my concerns and worries, my calling and my destiny, my loved ones and my work. Only keep me humble and obedient always. Amen.

In the Old Testament, this name occurs seven times in Genesis, Exodus and Daniel. It is first used in Genesis 17 when God appeared to Abram and Sarai. Their names were subsequently changed to Abraham and Sarah. This signified a change of destiny. More importantly, when God added the Hebrew letter ‘hey’ ה from His Name YHWH into Abraham, this symbolises God intimate involvement in fulfilling His covenant with Abraham. Hence, he transformed from “exalted father” to “father of a multitude”! He made the barren fruitful!

Genesis 17:1-8 (ESV)
1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, 2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, 4 “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. 8 And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”

Summary: God is El Shaddai. He is all powerful. His thoughts and His ways are higher than ours. Rest in the might of His power. He is able to bring into existence what is not. John 1:3 “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Do you have unfulfilled dream & desire? Or Do you have outstanding unanswered prayer? Bring it to Him today. Like Abraham & Sarah, we too carry the “hey” ה in our names in Jesus. Surely, He will bring to fulfilment what He intended in our lives.

Prayer: El Shaddai, You are mighty! Your power is limitless. Yet You are altogether wise and merciful. For through Jesus, I have become the spiritual descendant of Abraham through faith. Sustain my faith to trust you completely even though at times science and logic say otherwise. I declare that all through my life I will walk by faith and not my sight. I will walk the paths of possibilities when life situations say otherwise. I will live in the realm of the supernatural when the natural protests. Only help me grow from strength to strength, faith to faith and grace upon grace. Amen.

El is another name that is translated as “God” and can be used in conjunction with other words to designate various aspects of God’s character. Olam derives from the root word ‘Im (which means “eternity“). Olam literally means “forever“, “eternity” or “everlasting“. When the two words are combined, El Olam – it can be translated as “The Eternal God.”

Genesis 21:33-34 (ESV)
33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God. 34 And Abraham sojourned many days in the land of the Philistines.

Psalm 48:14 (ESV)
that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.

Jeremiah 10:10 (ESV)
But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation.

Summary: God is everlasting! His Kingdom is everlasting! Through the Holy Spirit we will comprehend and appreciate God’s everlasting power, intellect and character. God is inviting you to know Him. He will reveal Himself to you in a timely manner. Seek God’s Kingdom purposes, not yours nor anyone else’s, for it will last!

Prayer: El Olam, You are my Everlasting God! You conceived me in Your thoughts before eternity began! Throughout eternity, I will seek You! My life is indeed but brevity in the light of eternity! Forgive me for often I am short-sighted. I am so easily consumed and conflicted by my existential concerns and problems. Help me see beyond now and beyond self. I declare Your Presence to break into my “now” so that I may experience Your eternity! I declare I am made to dwell in Your Presence forever. May You help me advance Your eternal kingdom from moment to moment, day to day, year to year and decade to decade. Help me to count my days aright so that I may gain a heart of wisdom. Amen.

The names of God help us to trust Him in our daily affairs as well as move us towards our God-given destiny! In the season of advent, we are reminded that the All-Knowing God came to us. At times, we use this name as “God is Omniscient”—Latin: All (Omnes) and Knowledge (Scientia).
God is both a Spirit and is perfect, hence, He knows all things and is perfect in knowledge. His understanding is both infinite and absolute (Psalm 147:5; 1 John 3:20). The scripture tells us that nothing is hidden from God. He knows all our thoughts and ways and words (Psalm 139:1-4) and even the number of hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:30)! Yet, despite knowing our hideousness, He is mindful of us (Hebrew 2:6-8) and He sent His Son to redeem us. He seeks to restore and transform a people who will walk in His light just as He is the light (1 John 1:7). Most of all, God has given us His Holy Spirit. Through Him, we have access to comprehend the thoughts of God (1 Corinthians 2:11-13).

Psalm 139:1-6 (ESV)
1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.

Summary: God is all-knowing! He knows you intimately well. Let this knowledge of His knowing fill your heart today. Let this bring comforting assurance. Let His name remind you that He loves you and is working out His good purposes and plans in your lives. If you lack knowledge, ask Him. If you need discernment, seek Him. If you want wisdom, knock at His door. He will give unto you, answer you and provide all that You need through His Spirit and His Word.

Prayer: All-Knowing God, how rich and unsearchable are the depth of Your wisdom and knowledge! I am humbled to know that You are mindful of us. Through Jesus, I can come freely to you without any masks on. Nothing to prove, nothing to lose and nothing to hide. I am thankful that despite knowing me, You still love me. I am also honoured that You chose me to be Your holy instrument to declare the praises of Your goodness, grace and greatness! Let me into the stream of Your wisdom, knowledge and truth. Teach me to walk in it and guide me to delight in You and provide for me in a timely manner when I need You the most! Amen.

How awesome it is that the unsearchable knowledge of God has been made known to you through the Holy Spirit! The All-Powerful God is also known as “God is Omnipotent”—Latin: All (Omnes) Powerful (Potens). In other words, this All-Powerful God, who created everything from nothing, is not limited by resources nor confined by space and time! Nothing is too impossible for Him (Matthew 19:26). He is the beginning and the end (Revelation 22:13 cf. 1:8, 17-18; Isaiah 48:12). He is beyond time, yet He dwells within time! Indeed, He is the “I Am who I Am” – ehyeh asher ehyeh (Exodus 3:14). He is self-existing, ever-present, unchangeable and loving towards us. As He is non-contingent on anything or anyone, His purposes and promises will be fulfilled. Indeed, He is our ever-present help in times of need.

Psalm 139:7-12 (ESV)
7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.

Summary: God is all-powerful! There is no end to His power. While He wields infinite power, He is also all loving and wise. Present to Him all your challenges and problems. With God all things are possible and nothing is too hard for Him. He rejoices to do good to you. Only seek Him with all your heart and in all your ways.

Prayer: All-Powerful God! Nothing is impossible or too hard for you! Your creative power is not limited by resources nor ideas. Even if I grow tired and weary, stumble and fall, only help me to hope in You. Put me on Your shoulders and let me be renewed in You! Invigorate my life and empower me to raise above storms and trials. Help me to take the leap and show me how to soar with You. Lead me in path of righteousness for Your name’s sake. Amen.

This All-Knowing and All-Powerful God is also All-Present—Latin: All (Omnes) Presence (Presens). Wow! Hold this thought of God over your life and the situations you are facing today. The mystery of God’s presence is made manifest to us. Just as He has promised, in the last days, He has spoken to us by His Son (Hebrews 1:2). He has also poured out His Spirit to His disciples (Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:17). All creation, from the cosmic vastness and to the earthly domain, God upholds all things by the power of His Word (Hebrew 1:3 cf. Psalm 33:9, Colossians 1:7). Indeed, He is totally and completely in control. Even when Job was facing his own life’s calamities, he reckoned that God can do all things. Despite the sufferings Job faced in his time, he knew in his spirit that no good purposes of God can be thwarted (Job 42:2). Ultimately, on the last day, He will be declared as the Lord God Almighty or God the All-Powerful! (Revelation 19:6)

Jeremiah 32:17-27 (ESV)
16 “After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed to the Lord, saying: 17 ‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. 18 You show steadfast love to thousands, but you repay the guilt of fathers to their children after them, O great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord of hosts, 19 great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of man, rewarding each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds. 20 You have shown signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, and to this day in Israel and among all mankind, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day. 21 You brought your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and outstretched arm, and with great terror. 22 And you gave them this land, which you swore to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey. 23 And they entered and took possession of it. But they did not obey your voice or walk in your law. They did nothing of all you commanded them to do. Therefore you have made all this disaster come upon them. 24 Behold, the siege mounds have come up to the city to take it, and because of sword and famine and pestilence the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans who are fighting against it. What you spoke has come to pass, and behold, you see it. 25 Yet you, O Lord God, have said to me, “Buy the field for money and get witnesses”—though the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans.’” 26 The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 27 “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?…
36 “Now therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning this city of which you say, ‘It is given into the hand of the king of Babylon by sword, by famine, and by pestilence’: 37 Behold, I will gather them from all the countries to which I drove them in my anger and my wrath and in great indignation. I will bring them back to this place, and I will make them dwell in safety. 38 And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. 39 I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. 40 I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. 41 I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.

Summary: God is all-present! In other words, you are always in His presence! Yet, at the same time, we are called to enter into His presence. Where the presence of God is, there is divine love, revelation, fullness of joy, power, blessing, glory and honour.

Prayer: All-Present God! You are everywhere and I am always in your presence! I praise you for the nearness of Your being in my life. Just as You have promised, You will be with me until the end of age. I will seek You all my days and all the way. Manifest Yourself to me in dreams and visions, in the scripture and in my prayer, in any and every situation and when I am alone or in the midst of Your faithful people. I only ask of You to attune my ears and heighten my awareness of Your presence. Keep me plugged into what You are saying. In your silence, shout to me. In my busyness, give me a still heart to listen. Walk with me and talk to me. Speak words of wisdom and instruction so that I may walk in it. Amen.

For the last three days, we have been meditating on the very nature and being of God. His faithfulness is integral to His presence, power and knowledge! God assured Jacob in his dream, as he fled from Esau, that He will not leave nor forsake him but will bring him back as He has promised (Genesis 28: 15). Moses told Joshua on claiming Canaan that God is faithful, therefore, be strong and courageous (Deuteronomy 31:6 – 8). David said the same to Solomon on building the temple of the Lord (1 Chronicles 28:20). Paul reminded the Corinthians that God will provide a way out in times of temptation so that they can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13). Paul also spoke on contentment in the same vein (Hebrews 13:5). On this Christmas eve, take time to remember God’s faithfulness in your life. Make effort to appreciate God for His faithfulness and declare it over your Christmas meal so that others will be encouraged by it.

Psalm 89:1-8 (ESV)
1 I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;
with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
2 For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever;
in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.”
3 You have said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
I have sworn to David my servant:
4 ‘I will establish your offspring forever,
and build your throne for all generations.’” Selah
5 Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord,
your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!
6 For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?
Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord,
7 a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones,
and awesome above all who are around him?
8 O Lord God of hosts,
who is mighty as you are, O Lord,
with your faithfulness all around you?

Summary: God is faithful. He is always true to His word and promises. His abiding presence in our lives is our assurance and His faithfulness, our hope. No matter the changing circumstances or our flickering thoughts, God remains the same.

Prayer: God, you are faithful! You are always true. You are always there. You always care. You are always ready to help. Not once have I been let down. Not once have I been disappointed. Forgive me for not trusting You at that time and for even questioning Your faithfulness. I want to praise and declare Your faithfulness to all generations. I delight to tell of You and sing of You to my loved ones. I will share of You and whisper of You. Thank you, God, for Your faithful love. Amen.

Jesus Christ. The name, “Jesus”, is a Greek form of a Hebrew name “Yeshua” which means “He saves”. The name, “Christ”, likewise is a Greek form for the Hebrew word “Messiah” which means “Anointed One”. In the Old Testament, there are threefold offices (functions): the prophet, the priest and the king. The prophet’s role is to forthtell and foretell the Word of God as God’s messenger. The priest is to mediate between God and Israel through the offering of sacrifices. The king is to govern and administer peace and justice in the land. Most important of all, Jesus came in fulfilment of all three offices!

This Christmas, I hung the verse Isaiah 7:14 on our homemade Christmas advent calendar with its exact 24 words. On Christmas eve, it will end with Immanuel – God with Us! The all-powerful, knowing, present and faithful God has come in the form of a child, His name is Jesus! The Great “I Am” took on flesh. Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He never changes. He came into our darkened world to light it with faith, hope and love. He is the Savior of the world and His blood cleanses. He is the King of Kings and at His name, every knee shall bow and tongue confess that He is the Lord!

Daniel 9:25 (ESV)
25 Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time.

Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Luke 4: 18-20 (cf. Isaiah 61) (ESV)
19 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Summary: Jesus is the Messiah. He came so that He may bring a message of hope and salvation to the world. He sacrificed Himself to redeem us to Himself! He is the Anointed One. He has anointed us to be His messengers to proclaim that He is Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Jesus, you are our Messiah! You are the Anointed One. You are Wonderful and You are the Counsellor. You are the Mighty God. You are the Everlasting Father. And You are the Prince of Peace. You came to bring an everlasting peace once and for all. You broke down the wall of hostility between us. You administer peace to both our spiritual as well as our physical states. You are mighty to save—to even the feeblest being or most dire of situations. Your power knows no limit nor Your hand is too short to reach. Thank you for coming to save me. I praise you, my Lord and my Savior. Amen.

Day 21: El Bethel – God the House of God |06.10.2025

Every succeeding generation of Abraham had to know God personally. Jacob had to encounter God in such a way that it sealed his faith in the God of his forefathers. Exhausted from a day’s journey, he dreamt. In it, he saw a stairway to heaven with angels ascending and descending. God spoke. That very land where he lay was the promised land! His future descendants promised as numerous as sand. What was more amazing beyond those promises was the promise of God’s abiding presence with him!

Genesis 28:16-17 (ESV)
16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

Genesis 35:1-15 (ESV)
1 God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there. Make an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.” 2 So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you and purify yourselves and change your garments. 3 Then let us arise and go up to Bethel, so that I may make there an altar to the God who answers me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.” 4 So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods that they had, and the rings that were in their ears. Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree that was near Shechem.
5 And as they journeyed, a terror from God fell upon the cities that were around them, so that they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. 6 And Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him, 7 and there he built an altar and called the place El-bethel, because there God had revealed himself to him when he fled from his brother. 8 And Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died, and she was buried under an oak below Bethel. So he called its name Allon-bacuth.
9 God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. 10 And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.” So he called his name Israel. 11 And God said to him, “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body. 12 The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give the land to your offspring after you.” 13 Then God went up from him in the place where he had spoken with him. 14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he had spoken with him, a pillar of stone. He poured out a drink offering on it and poured oil on it. 15 So Jacob called the name of the place where God had spoken with him Bethel.

Summary: What a glorious promise! Rest in the knowledge that God has made His covenant with us through His Son Jesus. He has promised His presence with us through His Holy Spirit. Do not be weary by your work or ministry nor be worried about where your life will lead you. God has made His dwelling in you!

Prayer: El Bethel, You speak a word and it comes to pass. I praise Your name on behalf of my household. Today, I stand in what You have promised me. Thank You for revealing Yourself to me. My body now is the temple of the Living God. Dine with me daily. Guide me in how I nourish, dress and work this body. Reveal Your wisdom and love out of the depths of Your heart. Let this house be where Your glory dwells! Amen.

The name of God, El Qanna only occurs 6 times and it first appears in Exodus 20:5. Qanna is translated as “jealous” or “zealous”. The latter is more apt to be used as God longs for relationship with us and pursues our communion with passionate zeal. The fundamental meaning of the word is in relation to a marriage relationship. God is depicted as Israel’s husband. He is a jealous God and He would not want to share His glory with other gods (Exodus 34.14). He is a consuming fire (Deuternomy 4:24, 9:3 cf. Hebrews 12:29). His jealousy stems not from a selfish possession but rather a rightful possession! We are a people belonging to God and spoken into existence to have intimacy with God!

Having understood the “jealousy” of God, how do we make sense of God visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation? Firstly, what is sin, transgression and iniquity? The Psalmist in Psalm 32:5 cited all these in his repentance prayer. All wrongdoing is sin (1 John 5:14). Secondly, the Greek word for sin is “hamartia” which means to “fall short of”. Romans 3:23 says “fall short of the glory of God”. Hence, transgression denotes the idea of “crossing the line of law” which is a result of sin. Most translations of 1 John 3:4 says “…for sin is lawlessness” but in the King James and New Living Translation versions, it is translated as “transgression of the law”. Lastly and more critically, iniquity carries the idea of “twistedness”, “distorting” and simply a wilful delight in bending towards sins.

So why would God visit the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation? (Exodus 20:5; cf. Deuteronomy 5:9) At the same time, the irony is that fathers and children shall not be put to death due to the other. (Deuteronomy 24:16 cf. 2 Kings 14:6, Ezekiel 18:20; Jeremiah 31:30). There is no contradiction! Each person is accountable for their sins.

Now, if we put this into the context, God visiting the iniquity to the third and fourth generation is not vindictive i.e. for revenge, but punitive i.e. for punishment! It is a righteous judgment on the sinful rebellious generation. It is not punishing the guiltless and innocent children of sinful forebears. In the Old Testament, it is also possible that family lived together to the third and fourth generations! Hence, it is possible that it is not just a single guilty sinful individual but rather a family as whole who lived together!

Exodus 20:1-14 (ESV)
1 And God spoke all these words, saying,
2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work,10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Exodus 34:14 (ESV)
14 (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God),

Summary: The Lord is a Jealous God, yet, the Lord is also a merciful and gracious God. He is slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. He is faithfulness while we may be faithless. Most of all, He keeps His steadfast love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.

Prayer: El Qanna, you are a Jealous God. I adore you and I worship you. You love for me is boundless and limitless. There were times I sought another person or myself to solve my problems or plan my future without seeking You. Yet, you still graciously waited and mercifully guided me. There were moments I tried to bail myself out of my foolish mistakes and willful sin. Yet, you are always forgiving and restoring. Most of all, your love is fully and zealously demonstrated on the cross! Jesus, You exemplified for me how I ought to love others. Only by grace. I want to live the way You live and love the way You love. I pray for the many who are still living as enemies of the cross. I pray for their awakening to Your genuine and sincere love. Amen.

El Hakkadosh means “God of Glory” or “Holy One”. David uses the universe and the forces of nature to describe the glory of God in order to evoke a sense of awe to His holiness. We ought to ascribe to God what is due His name! (Psalm 29:3) Nonetheless, the idea of kadosh implies differentiation or being set apart. Unlike the name Jehovah “Mekoddishkem” which is about God setting us apart, El Hakkadosh focuses on God as holy. God reveals Himself to Israel as completely upright or righteous. His moral character sets him apart from the gods of the surrounding nations. Many Jews address God as Hakkadosh Barukh Hu, “The Holy One, blessed be He”. Therefore, El Hakkadosh, “the Holy God,” became outraged when his “beloved vineyard”, His children Israel, produced only sour grapes. They had become corrupt and unrighteous when He inspected them (Isaiah 5:4). The good news is that in and through Jesus Christ, the true vine, we are grafted into Him. Through the Holy Spirit, we will bear fruit and bear witness for Him!

Psalm 29:1-4 (ESV)
1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord, over many waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

Summary: The existence of God is clearly seen in His creation. This general or natural revelation of God reaches everyone everywhere! (Psalm 19:1-2; Acts 14:17)

Prayer: El Hakkadosh, the Holy One, You are perfect in holiness and righteous! Yet You have given your Son to make sinners holy. Transform me from glory to glory. Not even the radiance of the noonday sun can compare to the light of Your glory. Just as Moses radiated your glory, help me to live such a holy life that others can see Your glory. Help me grow in the fruit of righteousness. Amen.

The name of God “El Simchath Gili” in literal Hebrew translation is joy repeated twice i.e. “the God of the joy of my joy”. On this note, the psalmist experienced bubbling up of joy in the midst of his suffering and doubt. The psalmist expresses his joy and confidence in God with whom He has an intimate relationship with. Even though he was under the attack of ungodly, deceitful and unjust people, he looked steadfastly to God. In dark times, he called out to God for light and truth to lead him to God’s presence! It is in His presence that he found refuge and relief. In that, he let out a joyful praise instead of being depressed and hopeless. He found in his God, hope and salvation.

Therefore, the secret of our joy is found in God and not based on external circumstances. Living in His will fills us with His joy, so the Heavenly Father also said of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased” and this phrase also means, ” I have joy in my beloved Son”. Why does the Father enjoy Himself? Because the Son lived for His will. Jesus loved to do the will of his Heavenly Father, so the joy of the Son was the joy of the Father. Apostle Paul echoed a similar joy when he looked at the Philippians whom he had the privilege of bringing to the saving grace of Christ. His joy despite his imprisonment and suffering, is that it stands firm in God. In retrospect, my lack of joy at times are found in matters too trivial to mention.

Psalm 43 (ESV)
1 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people,
from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me!
2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me?
Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!
4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to GOD MY EXCEEDING JOY, and I will praise you with the lyre,
O God, my God.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

1 Peter 1:8-9 (ESV)
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Philippians 4:1 (ESV)
Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Summary: In any time and every situation, even the darkest or most despairing moment, we may be able to draw joy and strength in God. He defines our future and the outcome of our faith. In Him, we find joy everlasting.

Prayer: El Simchat Gili, You are Elohim. You hold the universe in the palm of your hand. What else should I look for and who else should I look to other than you, El Simchat Gili. You are my exceeding joy and in You, I find joy. You are, indeed, the delight of my soul and chorus of my praise! There is none worthier of my praise. Forgive me for my short-sighted pursuits. Holy Spirit, bring to me joy from the Father and joy in things that count for eternity. Beyond that, help me look to You and not to be distracted with the mundane, temporal and triviality of life and things. Amen.

The very name El Hay means “Living God” and it first appeared in Deuteronomy 5:26 (cf. Psalm 42:2). This simply means only God alone is life and He gives life. What is also a commonly known name of God is El Hayyay which means “God of My Life” (Psalm 42:8) when the Psalmist make a personal response to the name El Hay. The Living God is the God of my life! El Hay first appeared when Moses recounted the Mount Sinai encounter with the Living God (Deuteronomy 5:26). God spoke out of the midst of fire, the cloud, thick darkness and with a loud voice as well as when He wrote the ten commandments on two stone tablets. The Israelites responded rightly saying to Moses, “Go near and hear all that the Lord our God will say… and we will hear and do it.” (Deuteronomy 5:27). The passage we are reading today is about Joshua preparing the Israelites to cross the Jordan.

Joshua 3:7-13 (ESV)
7 The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. 8 And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’” 9 And Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.” 10 And Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the Living God (El Hay) is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. 11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan. 12 Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, from each tribe a man. 13 And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.”
14 So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), 16 the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. 17 Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.

Summary: God is the living God. For by Him all things visible and invisible were created through Him and for Him. In Him is life and light and love. It is in His life, we encounter Him and receive life. By His presence, He will leads you into places where life is.

Prayer: El Hay, You are El Hayyay. I want to enter into 2021 by stepping into the land of the living! Whatever that comes my way, I know You are ahead of me! In You is life and Your life is the light of men. You revealed to us your Son through the first Christmas so that Your life and light entered into our dying and darkened world. Indeed, we dwell in the land of the living! (John 1:4; Psalm 116:9) Thank you for favouring us and revealing this knowledge to us! Today, I ask you to direct Your love, life and light to me all through this year. Remove from me any coldness and dullness. Teach me the secret of abiding in Your life. Show me the rhythmic movement of drawing near and striding out to fulfil Your good purposes in my life. Help me to be the channel of Your love by spreading Your light to those who are perishing. I praise and honour You, who orders my steps and directs my path to life everlasting. Amen.

In ancient Israel when a little boy hears his father coming home from working in the fields, he might run down the path towards his father shouting, “Abba! Abba!” and throw his arms around him. The term “Abba Father” is a name as a form of address to God in prayer. To describe Yahweh as “Father” has been used in the Old Testament. He is the one who “created, made and established” (Deuteronomy 32:6). In fact, God assured King David that Solomon, his son, will be like a son to God Himself. God would love and discipline (2 Samuel 7:14 cf. 1 Chronicles 17:13, 22:10, 28:6) him. God has also been intimately addressed as the “Father of the fatherless” (Psalm 68:5, 89:26). Most of all, “Abba Father” is a name from which God requires honor from His children (Malachi 1:6). Jesus modeled and used this name of God frequently in His own prayers. Not surprisingly, some opponents of Jesus felt that it trivialized the name of a high and holy God! More than that, it is also a term of endearment! In fact, Jesus’ use of “Abba” to address God is unique and novel as it reveals a consciousness of sonship. This spirit of sonship is active in every believer and we will meditate more on this from week 9 onwards.

The term “Abba” appears three times in the New Testament (Mark 14:36, Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6). In the gospels, the reference to God as “Father” is about 170 times, of which 100 times occur in John.

Mark 14:36 (ESV)
36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Romans 8:15-17 (ESV)
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Galatians 4:4-7 (ESV)
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Summary: God is your Father! He loves us and treats us as his children. We should love him and treat him as our father. He has taken us as His children, therefore, His steadfast love is always towards us. Most of all, we are all redeemed by Jesus and all sealed with the Holy Spirit who enables us to address God with this intimate term, “Abba Father!”

Prayer: Abba Father! It is so comforting to know that you love me. In this new year, Father, walk with me and talk with me. Hold my hand as I sail through this year. I declare, “You are my Father and I will have no lack.” You are the Prodigal God who extravagantly poured out your love through your Son, Jesus. What else will you not give? What else will keep us from experiencing your fatherly love? Make your love tangibly known to me this week. Remind me if I begin to wonder in times of trial. Pull me back if I start to wander in times of temptation. Rejoice with me in every challenge we overcome together. I love you, Father. Amen.

God declared His own name to Moses out of the burning bush – “I Am who I Am”. In doing so, He made known to Moses that He is the ever-existing and self-existing God. He is always the same and never changes. The Greek expression egō eimi means “I am” and denotes “self-identity in self-sufficiency”. The “I Am” sayings of Jesus revealed His divine identity and as the Promised Saviour. His personal introductions are personal yet powerful. In the next few days, we will be looking at the “I Am” sayings of Jesus and each is accompanied by a miracle. Take a short moment to ask Jesus to reveal Himself to you.
John Newton, who wrote the hymn “Amazing Grace”, pondered upon the words of Apostle Paul, “By the grace of God I am what I am.” In response, he said, “I am not what I ought to be. How imperfect and deficient I am! I am not what I wish to be. Though I am not what I ought to be, I can truly say that I am not what I once was—a slave to sin and Satan. I can heartily say with Paul: “By the grace of God I am what I am”!” Without Christ, this statement “I am what I am” may seem like the words of a recalcitrant offender. Yet when read in Christ, the power of God’s grace is able to transform what I once was into “I am what I am” in Christ!

John 8:56-59 (ESV)
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

Matthew 13: 25-26 (ESV)
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

John 4:25-26, 29 (ESV)
25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” … 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” 30 They went out of the town and were coming to him.

Summary: God’s love for you never changes. He is always there and always will be. His presence is your greatest assurance. He came into our lives to reveal Himself personally to us. With His grace, He is also revealing what we can and will be in Him.

Prayer: The great I Am, thank you for coming into my life and telling me things I did not know and things I need to know about myself. You are always there and always ready to intervene whenever I need Your help. Your grace helps me walk in the path of transformation and into the destiny You have intended. I know what I was in the past will not be what I will be in the future. Only help me to walk humbly and in obedience to Your will and Your Word in the present. Amen.

The Gospel brings Jesus within the reach of all men. The “I Am” sayings make immediate sense as Jesus presents Himself to the core desires, needs and hopes of mankind. “I am the bread of Life”, Jesus said. Bread is part of a simple and staple diet, easy to make and quick to satisfy hunger. Jesus spoke directly to the inner hunger of you and me. His miraculous feeding of five thousand men reminded them of the feeding of an entire nation for 40 years in the wilderness with the manna God sent daily. Jesus is the bread that came down from heaven!

Are you hungry? Physical hunger leads man to pursue and hunt in order to consume. What have been your pursuits? Have you been found wanting? The multitude ate the physical bread but was still found wanting. Move from the commodity of food to the divinity of God; only God can truly satisfy. He fills your hunger, desires and wants. Your bottomless pit can only be filled by the infinite being of God! Feast on His Word today. Work for food that lasts. It begins in your heart.

John 6:26-40 (ESV)
25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

Summary: Jesus is the bread of Life. Feast upon Him and what He is revealing to you. Do the work of receiving Jesus daily. He alone knows what we need – the nutrients lacking in our souls and the fuel needed for our journeys.

Prayer: Jesus, you are the bread of life. I know that out of the recesses of my soul come desires and dreams for my life. I know the carnality of my soul hungers for the bigger and the greater in a faster and easier manner. Help me to rein in my bodily and soulish appetite. Grow my spiritual appetite so that my spirit man may be nourished day after day. Meet my needs and out of being filled, help me share the food I have in You with others. In You, I know I will never hunger and thirst like before. Amen.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (v.12). In demonstrating His teaching, He healed a man born blind. It is as if the “light” which had been switched off for this man since his birth was switched on when he encountered Jesus!

In John 8, Jesus delivers an adulterous woman from an unjust public trial. Trapped by the Pharisees who wanted her punished even though they had no authority, Jesus stepped in and saved the woman through the line written in the sand. In those times, only the Roman authorities had the right to execute capital punishment. The Pharisees doubted Jesus’ credibility (v.13) while Jesus exposed the hypocrisy of their judgement (v.15). He pointed out that they had judged Him according to the flesh. I wonder, if in any way, He was indirectly referring to their earlier failed mock trial! Jesus goes on further to promise those who believed in Him that “the truth will set them free!” (v.31). And indeed, many did believe in him!

John 8:12-30 (ESV)
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.” 14 Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father[a] who sent me. 17 In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. 18 I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” 19 They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.
21 So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” 23 He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” 25 So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. 26 I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” 27 They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. 28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” 30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Summary: Jesus is the light of the world. He came so that we may see and be the light to the world! We were once in darkness but now we are the light. We once operated in darkness, but now we minister in the light.

Prayer: Jesus, you are the light of the Word. Thank you for coming into my life and switching on Your light in me. Enable me to shine and reveal your glory! The whole world is indeed dark, and the deeds of darkness are awfully real. Give me moral courage and heavenly wisdom to cast the light of truth. Make me a truth bearer to declare You in the places you have stationed me. Amen.

The very name El Hay means “Living God” and it first appeared in Deuteronomy 5:26 (cf. Psalm 42:2). This simply means only God alone is life and He gives life. What is also a commonly known name of God is El Hayyay which means “God of My Life” (Psalm 42:8) when the Psalmist make a personal response to the name El Hay. The Living God is the God of my life! El Hay first appeared when Moses recounted the Mount Sinai encounter with the Living God (Deuteronomy 5:26). God spoke out of the midst of fire, the cloud, thick darkness and with a loud voice as well as when He wrote the ten commandments on two stone tablets. The Israelites responded rightly saying to Moses, “Go near and hear all that the Lord our God will say… and we will hear and do it.” (Deuteronomy 5:27). The passage we are reading today is about Joshua preparing the Israelites to cross the Jordan.

Joshua 3:7-13 (ESV)
7 The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. 8 And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’” 9 And Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.” 10 And Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the Living God (El Hay) is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. 11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan. 12 Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, from each tribe a man. 13 And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.”
14 So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), 16 the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. 17 Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.

Summary: God is the living God. For by Him all things visible and invisible were created through Him and for Him. In Him is life and light and love. It is in His life, we encounter Him and receive life. By His presence, He will leads you into places where life is.

Prayer: El Hay, You are El Hayyay. I want to enter into 2021 by stepping into the land of the living! Whatever that comes my way, I know You are ahead of me! In You is life and Your life is the light of men. You revealed to us your Son through the first Christmas so that Your life and light entered into our dying and darkened world. Indeed, we dwell in the land of the living! (John 1:4; Psalm 116:9) Thank you for favouring us and revealing this knowledge to us! Today, I ask you to direct Your love, life and light to me all through this year. Remove from me any coldness and dullness. Teach me the secret of abiding in Your life. Show me the rhythmic movement of drawing near and striding out to fulfil Your good purposes in my life. Help me to be the channel of Your love by spreading Your light to those who are perishing. I praise and honour You, who orders my steps and directs my path to life everlasting. Amen.

Day 31: I Am the Good Shepherd |20.10.2025

Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd” (v11). In biblical times, the shepherd’s main role is for the welfare of the flock. He and possibly with few others provides the sheep with food and water. The shepherd’s staff is used to steer sheep when navigating streams and pastures as well as to hook sheep away from danger. The shepherd’s rod which is carved to the shape of the shepherd’s hand is used as a weapon of defence, to discipline wandering sheep, and to part wool to look for insects and disease. Most important of all, the shepherd has an intimate relationship with his sheep. He recognises each of them by their look and voice. He takes care of them and his heart is invested in them. He guides them in the day and guards them in the night. He sets himself at the rock wall enclosure entrance (ref. Jan 8 – I Am the Door) so that none gets out and no stranger gets in. He is, in fact, the shepherd of our souls (1 Peter 2:25) who keeps us safe from all attacks. The Lord is the Good Shepherd. The emphasis on ‘good’ means He is supreme and sufficient. He is good beyond all good. He is the ultimate chief shepherd. King David called God “Jehovah Raah” (Psalm 23), the ‘All’ that is set against the inner propensity of sheep to wander, to be distracted and frightened. It is the nature of sheep to find themselves in difficult and dangerous places (Isaiah 53:6). It is no surprise then that Jesus often refers to Himself laying down His life for His sheep.

John 10:11-18 (ESV)
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

Summary: Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He knows His sheep intimately and He is intensely involved with His sheep. He is always leading and protecting. He is on their side, encouraging and guiding. He rises and rests to guard over his sheep.

Prayer: Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd. I know you hear me when I call out to You. Help me to hear You. Let my eyes be fixed on You, for where You are, there is safety, pasture and stream. Lead me in paths of righteousness. Let me eat the food that is my portion. Let me know You are near and I am dear to You. Only let me hear Your voice and Your presence as I wait on You and walk with You all the days of my life. Amen.

Jesus says, “I am the Resurrection and the Life” (v25). The hint on resurrection is clear from yesterday’s reading. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, repeatedly says He willingly lays down his life (five times)! Yet, He also says that He will also take it up by His own authority. His life is not taken from Him. In John 19, Jesus at the cross knew that all was finished and says, “It is finished”. At that point, He bowed his head and “gave up his spirit” (cf. Matthew 27:50 “He yielded up his spirit.”). Jesus was still in full control even when He was nailed on the cross, seemingly powerless. He breathed His last breath on His own accord. Death could only claim Him briefly, but death could never hold Him. Indeed, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). Life in Christ is eternal. Hence, the “life” Jesus gives is not to be confined only to our earthly dwelling but beyond. It is larger. In fact, He is the Life! Resurrection is an incident or event of triumph over death! It is not an interruption but an interlude. A rather glorious one! Therefore, every believer is sheltered from death. To die is to continue to live in Him. A mere walking through a door. As Martha uttered out, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world” (v27).

John 11:17-27 (ESV)
17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

Summary: Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. Death can never separate us from the love of God as well as the life in God. In Jesus, the dead shall live and the living shall never die!

Prayer: Jesus, you are the Resurrection and the Life. I have seen and heard the news of many who died because of COVID-19. I speak life over all the people of the world. I declare You are the Resurrection and the Life! It is in you I find life and experience life. Lord Jesus, help me to declare this hope to those near me who are fearful. I pray for those who have lost their loved ones. Grace them with Your presence and comfort them with Your love. Those who call on You dwell in perfect peace and are kept safe. Amen.

Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” This declaration of Jesus is the central truth in the gospel proclaimed by His disciples to all people of all nations. So much so that early disciples were known as followers of The Way! Life in Christ is a journey. It is not just a way like one of the many. Jesus is the Way simply because He is the designer of Life! We are called to follow and not formulate, the Way. His call to His disciples, “Come follow me” is simple, yet not always easy. His way is peaceful and definitely perfect. In following Him, we find ourselves in His presence and brought into a deep communion. Jesus sealed us with the promised Holy Spirit (v. 14-31) who will teach us all things and bring to remembrance all that Jesus said. It takes 21 days to form or break a habit and 90 days to create a lifestyle. This is week seven of the 50 Names of God devotion! I pray spiritual habits have been formed and the spiritual community strengthened in the process.

John 14:1-14 (ESV)
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

Summary: Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the access to everything God intended life to be. He is the repository of all divine counsel we need to know. In Him, we have completeness and wholeness of life.

Prayer: Jesus, you are the Way, the Truth and the Life. Grant me the ears to hear and follow your footsteps. Hold my hand so I may walk with you and that I may learn and live out of the naturalness of this walk. Indeed, there is no end in knowing and encountering You for You are the Infinite God! How can a finite being like me understand this? Yet, through the Holy Spirit I will receive revelation and inspiration to deeper thoughts and higher ways. Amen.

Jesus said, “I am the True Vine”. This is the last of the seven “I Am” sayings of Jesus. Spiritual fruitfulness is the result of a life abiding in Christ. It is a natural outcome of drawing from the supernatural life of Christ! Jesus declared that we will not only bear fruit but much fruit! God the Father, who is the Vinedresser, desires fruit. Eight times it has been described (v2, 4-5, 8, 16). He prunes for fruitfulness. As you embark on the new year, what new spiritual habits do you want to grow in? Is it a mindset that needs to be replaced? Is it cultivating a listening and discerning spirit by tuning in to the Spirit? The Spirit bears witness of Jesus and we too will bear witness of Him (v26-27). Is it also about bearing witness for Christ? The supernatural of life in Christ will naturally overflow love from us to others (v17). Who has the Lord been impressing upon you to love into His kingdom? Do not be emptied out by what drains you but be drenched by what fills you. Pause and pray in the Spirit. Let Him stir up spiritual hunger and longing and passion. Embark on a new spiritual habit and lifestyle that fuels your spiritual zeal and passion for God and for people.

John 15:1-17 (ESV)
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.15 No longer do I call you servants,[a] for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

Summary: Jesus is the True Vine. He is the source of all things and life on earth and in heaven. It is in His life that we draw life. Drink deep from the vine where the river of life flows.

Prayer: Jesus, you are the True Vine. Plug me into the rich food I shall consume in You. Bring deep satisfaction in my spirit as I feast on Your Living Word. Let Your life be in my life, Your love in mine. Teach me the sacred pathway of abiding and remaining in you. Let nothing disengage me or distract me from pursuing You and Your will. Help me to proclaim Your everlasting love so that others will receive life and life abundantly. Amen.

For nearly six weeks, we have been examining and encountering Jesus through His names. The centrality of our Christian faith lies in Jesus Christ. The validity and relevance of our faith hinges on Him. Hence, His humanity and divinity are crucial in understanding His life, words and work! In fact, Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament offices of Prophet, Priest and King. He is the fulfilment of all things prophesied in the past and all things hoped for in the future! Jesus is the focal point of our human history and destiny. He who was, who is and is to come! He is the perfect representation of God made tangible and representative of Man made possible. For no man can come before God other than Jesus who was born of a virgin and is completely sinless. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit…” (1 Peter 3:18). Jesus is the “Messiah” as Andrew told Peter (John 1:41) and Pilate pointed out, “Behold the man!” (John 19:5). In representing Man, Jesus is able to sympathise with our weaknesses and as the High Priest, He is able to intercede and minister God’s mercy (God not giving us what we deserve) and grace (God giving us what we do not deserve) unto us.

1 Timothy 2 (ESV)
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

Summary: Jesus is both God and Man. He is the best mediator and intercessor for us. He understands our struggles yet He is able to forgive us, intercede on our behalf and empower us to overcome. Only Jesus alone fulfils the righteous demands and requirements of God. It is also through Him and His sacrifice that we find access to God. It is in Him that we find God and God found us!

Prayer: Jesus, you are both God and Man. Thank you for coming to our darkened world so that we may see Your light, Your life and Your love. You took on flesh so that no one is excused from not knowing, hearing or seeing the divine God. I appreciate you Jesus for Your faithful love and tender mercy that frees us from sin and shame. I know You understand and You fully comprehend. Amen.


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