Step 3- Learn God's Character
“There’s something in him that I simply didn’t see.”- Belle, Beauty and the Beast
Proverbs 18:10 (ESV): “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”
Maybe you have a hard time believing God will be faithful and is making all things work together for your good because you haven’t really gotten to know His character. His actions may seem confusing and inconsistent to you at times. The God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament may seem vastly different.
What some understand and see as inconsistency has turned them away from God completely. Personally, the more I get to know His character, the more I see He is always the same, and the more I love Him and trust Him.
We can learn more about God’s character by learning His names. God's names are who He is, His character, His attributes, etc.
"In our times of need, God is Jehovah Jirah- the Lord our Provider. When we struggle with sickness, He is Jehovah Rapha- the Lord our Healer. When we need comfort, He is Jehovah Raah- the Lord our Shepherd. When we are fearful or stressed, He is Jehovah Shalom- the Lord or Peace. And when we need to be forgiven and cleansed, He is Jehovah Tsidkenu- the Lord our Righteousness."- Stephen & Alex Kendrick, The Battle Plan for Prayer
A list that I often look at is that in Kay Arthur’s Book: Lord, I Want to Know You. The following names of God are reviewed: The All-Sufficient One, The God Most High, Lord/Master, The Everlasting God, The Lord is My Banner, The Lord Will Provide, The Creator, The Lord My Shepherd, Jealous, The Lord Who Heals, The Lord is Peace, The Lord of Hosts, The Lord is There, The Lord our Righteousness, and The Lord who Sanctifies You.
I'd like to discuss few of God's names in more detail, and share how they help me: The God Who Sees, The Lord of Hosts, The Lord is my banner, and the Lord will provide.
The God Who Sees
The story of Hagar in Genesis 16 is a story for a single woman if there ever was one and deals heavily with rejection and abandonment. Hagar was used by a man, ridiculed by his wife, then casted out into the wilderness to fend for herself. This feeling of rejection may go much deeper than being rejected by men. Perhaps you feel rejected by God.This is going to sound strange, but I’ve always had a strong sense of the reality of death and the certainty of Hell. As a child, I would wake up in the night afraid of dying. I prayed to receive salvation numerous times, each time feeling exactly the same. You see, I was convinced that God did not hear my prayers and didn’t see my heart. I was convinced that I could never be sure if He heard me or not. This scheme of Satan worked for years to keep me from really getting to know God. I had gotten so caught up in the process of receiving salvation that I missed it completely.
Fortunately, one day God let me know He heard my prayer and could see me. I prayed the prayer of my heart and didn’t walk through the steps. I was just honest. After undergoing a season of heavy conviction, my prayer went something like this, “Are you real, and if you are real, am I a Christian? Obviously, these Christians have something I don’t have to make them love You so much. I don’t want to die and go to Hell and not be with my family in Heaven.” What happened next changed the course of my life eternally; I opened my Bible and found Him there in Exodus 3 waiting on me to enter into "holy ground." One of the verses He used to speak to my heart was Exodus 3:7 (NLT) “Then the Lord told him, “You can be sure I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries for deliverances from their harsh slave drivers. Yes. I am aware of their sufferings.” Upon hearing these words, I was able to lay down my life in submission to the God Who Sees.
The Lord of Hosts
This is the name that refers to God's power over all. He created all beings and is much stronger than any darkness or dark spirit that you will face.
The Lord of Hosts is the one who has the power to change our current situations. When Hannah was provoked to bitterness because her womb was closed, she prayed to the Lord of Hosts. 1 Samuel 1:10-11 (ESV): “She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” Hannah wasn’t happy with her situation, so she prayed to the only One who could change it.
The Lord is My Banner
"The Lord is my banner" is describing God like a banner that someone would bring into battle. God is our deliverer in times of trouble. All we are required to do is to hand Him our needs and stay close to Him always inviting His presence into our lives. Psalm 34:7 ESV "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them."
God will fight your battles for you, and He has already won the ultimate battle of death. He is on your side always fighting for you and for His purpose to be accomplished in your life. I once heard Charles Stanley say, "If necessary, God will move heaven and earth to show us His will." I like the idea that God cares so much for me and my life that He will do whatever it takes to come through for me.
Moreover, you don't have to react when being mistreated because God will take care of the sin in that person's life, and it is not your job to do so. Proverbs 20:22 ESV "Do not say, 'I will repay evil,' wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you."
The Lord Will Provide
"The Lord Will Provide" is the name used for God in Genesis 22 when He provided Abraham with a ram to offer as a sacrifice. God always comes through, though it may not be the way we expect or the timing we would prefer.
God provided a ram for Abraham in his time of need, but Abraham was willing to offer up his son first. We must be willing to offer up our desires to Him. We must be willing to put God first and give Him our desires.
Get to know God by learning His Character. Call on His many names in times of need. Use His names in your prayers.
Romans 10:12-13: “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
A prayer using God's names:
Great is Your Name, Lord. Thank You for being the God Who Sees and the God Who Heals. You see my heart, and You hear my prayers. I find peace in knowing that You are there. I trust in your goodness. I am hungry for your presence and knowing you more. O Lord of Hosts, deliver me from my discontent heart, and be my righteousness when there is no righteousness in me. You are amazing, and I want more of You. I need you to be my Master, my Abba Father, and The Lord Who Provides. Provide for me as you provided for Abraham in his time of need. Give me peace that You are in control. All glory and power and righteousness belong to You, King Jesus. Sanctify me. Be my peace and my Shepherd. Forgive me for all my distrust in You. Create in me a clean heart that trusts You more. Break down any walls of hostility in my heart, and make my heart more like Yours. Let people see You when they look at me. Nothing is impossible for You. I will wait patiently on You to act. I commit my ways completely to You. You can deliver me from this pit and set me on higher ground. You are enough.
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