by Sharon W. Betters

Today’s Treasure

O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob!

Selah Psalm 84:8

O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!

Psalm 84:12

We cannot move past the first few verses of Psalm 84 without taking a look at the writer’s use of the word “LORD” throughout this passage. When LORD is in all caps throughout Scripture, it means Yahweh. Yahweh signifies God is not only our covenant-keeping God, He is Lord over all of His people. The Jewish people, including some Jews today, believed Yahweh was too holy to speak and changed the spelling to YHWH.

Yahweh is also translated Jehovah and is mentioned in the Old Testament at least 6,519 times and is first used in Genesis:

These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created,in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.

Genesis 2:4

God called Himself “I AM” or Yahweh, when He called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3). During the age of the Old Testament, names reflected something about the person’s character. God chose this personal name for Himself. Though we can only scratch the surface in a devotional, it’s important for us to try to understand even a little of what He is telling us about Himself. The task God gave Moses filled him with fear and the reality of his own inability to do as God required. God reassures Moses by invoking His personal name, encouraging Moses to believe He, God, would go with Him. Through this Name, we remember our God is the covenant-keeping God who promises He will never leave His children. Moses needed to know God was not sending Him alone into Egypt, but that His presence would equip him for whatever laid ahead of him. When Moses expressed fear the people would not follow him, God told him to tell the people Yahweh is with him. The Israelites would know Yahweh meant total authority over them. But God also wanted the Israelites to understand He is their personal and present God. Implied in this declaration is He is their ever-present helper. Yahweh is an intensely personal name, encompassing the power and presence of our God.

The Psalmist repeatedly invokes the name of Yahweh, acknowledging the omnipotence (all powerful), omniscience (all knowing) and omnipresence (always present) of His personal covenant-keeping God.

LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT

Tomorrow we will take a look at how Jesus declared He, too, carried the Old Testament names of God. For now, take a few minutes to consider how knowing our God is the Lord of Hosts, ruler over every cell, omnipotent, omniscient and yet is always present, can transform the way you view the headlines of your world and your soul. To help remind you, write a prayer in your journal, calling on the name of Yahweh.

PRAYER

Oh Father, with the Psalmist I pray, O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! (Selah Psalm 84:8.) I enjoy your blessings every day, but I want more of You. When I fear for the health of my children or friends, remind me You are the ruler of every cell. When I feel powerless, remind me of Your omnipotence and those who are for me are more than those who are against me. Oh Father, when I do not know what to do, may I run to You for wisdom. When I feel alone, turn my heart toward the truth of Your presence. When I am discouraged, may I pray these words, “O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!” Psalm 84:12

Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.

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Contact Sharon with comments or questions at d ailytreasure@markinc.org.

Our Covenant Keeping God – Yahweh