We all have nicknames. Loving names that our friends or family give us to tease us, love us, or just to laugh about. I have a few. Dez, Dezzer, Dizzy Dez, Double D, Dizzy, Dezzi-do, Sister dez, and boo, just to name a few.
I love names and the meaning that they have. They show things about our character and may reveal things that we have done or even weaknesses we have. Earlier this year I prayed and God showed me a lot about my name and the implications it has in my life. Just as we give each other loving and sometimes not-so-loving nicknames God also has “nick” names. Recently it has been on my heart to look up and do a bit of research on the many names of God there are in both Hebrew and English. Being that the bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek, some of them have been lost in translation and are not as recognized as they ought to be.
I have looked up and compiled a list of some of these loving and affectionate names that are written into the word of God. There are some from the Old Testament as well as ones that Jesus spoke about himself and his Father while he walked the earth. These are names that I believe have significance and reveal more about the character of God and who He is to us. They may challenge and widen your perspective on how diverse and expansive God is. I pray they do. So here they are, the many names of our great God. I encourage you to read them and see if any of these names touch your heart or stand out to you.
Abba- God our Father, Daddy
Elohim- God of Power and Might
Yahweh- The great I am, I am
Jehovah Rohi- The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
Jehovah Shammah- The Lord who is present
Jehovah Rapha- The Lord our healer
Jehovah Jireh- The Lord our provider, The Lord will provide
Jehovah Shalom- The Lord is peace
El Roi- The strong one who sees
El Shaddai- God of the mountains
(These are the Hebrew ones, here are some in English, including names for Jesus)
Advocate- Jesus is our advocate. An advocate is someone who publicly recommends or supports us.
Alpha and Omega- The beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8)
Anointed One- refers to Jesus (Psalm 2:2)
Bread of Life- John 6:35
Comforter- Jeremiah 8:18
Cornerstone- Ephesians 2:20
Counselor- Isaiah 9:6
Deliverer- Romans 11:26
Immanuel- God is with us (Matthew 1:23)
Foundation- Isaiah 28:16
Friend- John 15:15
Guide- Psalm 48:14
Life – John 11:25
Light of the World- John 8:12
Master- Matthew 23:8
Passover Lamb- 1 Corinthians 5:7
Physician- Matthew 9:12
Prince of Peace- Isaiah 9:6
Purifier- Malachi 3:3
Ransom- 1 Timothy 2:6
Redeemer- Isaiah 41:14
Refiner- Malachi 3:2
Refuge – Isaiah 25:4
Rock- Deuteronomy 32:4
Savior- Luke 1:47
Servant- Isaiah 42:1
Shepherd- 1 Peter 2:25
Son of God- Luke 1:35
Teacher- Matthew 26:18
Truth- John 14:6
Way- John 14:6
Word- John 1:1
Vine- John 15:1
God is so vast and expansive. He is everywhere and in everything if we look for him and let him be.
Task: Ask yourself a few questions
- Which characteristics are natural in your relationship with God?
- Which of these characteristics of God do you struggle with? Which ones feel unnatural?
- In what aspects of your life are you good at trusting God?
- What are some ways and areas of your life that you need to trust Him more with?
Love y’all.
Made it to Romania this morning. Month 11 here we go!!
