Whom Do You Call Him?

  I am most commonly known by two names, “Faith Mathenge”.  I also have a maiden name which my extended family members fondly call me by, "Nyokabi". My nuclear family too have a name for me, which my second born sister coined from my maiden name. On the other hand, those who know me in my professional circles refer to me by some titles, based on my role at the place of work, my work interactions with them & perhaps their perception of me.   Also, a few church friends have nicknames for me.  It is common in life for different people to call you by different names depending on several factors that among others include type of relationship existing between the two of you; and their knowledge and perception of who you are. 

Over the years, as I have journeyed through my walk of faith, experiencing God in my lows and highs, I have known many Names of God.   I have experienced God in numerous ways that have influenced what I call Him. Such address of God is powerful because it emanates from God’s divine revelation of Himself to us as well as our encounter with Him. David, the Psalmist, is a great example of men in the Bible who experienced God and this informed their address of God.  With great confidence and deep conviction, David calls God "a shield round me"; "my righteous God"; "righteous judge"; "a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble"; "King forever and ever"; "my strength and the horn of my salvation"; "my rock and my redeemer" (Psalms 3:3; 4:1; 7:11; 9:9; 10:16; 18:1,3; 19:14), only to mention but a few . When we know God experientially, no theological argument, wisdom of men or troubles of life can cause our faith to falter.  This is because the faith of a believer who has personally experienced God transcends what is carnal; he/she is deeply anchored in the knowledge of God's Truth, taught not by human wisdom but by God's Spirit (Colossians 2:6-7; 1 Corinthians 2:13).

In scripture, the Names of God were either expressly revealed by God Himself or ascribed to God by men and women who encountered Him.  For example, in the call of Abram, God revealed Himself to him in a vision and said, "Do not be afraid, Abram.  I am your shield, your very great reward" (Genesis 15:1).  Also, having received the promise of a son at seventy five years of age, Abram had to wait for about twenty five years for the fulfillment of God's promise.  At age ninety nine years, he must have felt the pressures and pains of waiting upon God's promise.   Then God in Genesis 17:1 reminded Abram that "I am God Almighty"- El-Shaddai.  Irrespective of the circumstances we find ourselves in, we must never forget this Name of God that proofs His Sovereign reign and control in our lives.  Unto Moses God revealed Himself as "I AM WHO I AM"-YHWH, Exodus 3:14.  God revealed Himself as the God of Moses' fathers: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

On the other hand there are numerous incidences in scripture where people ascribed titles to God.  Hagar, while heavy with child, was ill-treated and chased away by Sarah and as she wandered in the desert, she agonized in pain and shed bitter tears of destitution, rejection and despair.  In that very state, God appeared to her through an angel with words of comfort and hope.  Consequently, Hagar gave the Lord a name: "You are the God who sees me"- Lahai Roi (Genesis 16:13-14).  When God tested Abram to offer his only son Isaac as a sacrifice, Abram obeyed and before he could kill his son, God intervened and divinely provided a ram for sacrifice.  In awe, Abram said "The Lord Will Provide"- Jehovah Jireh (Genesis 22:14).  Jacob, after serving his uncle for many years, under God's guidance decided to return to his native land.  Upon arriving safely at Shechem in Canaan, he set up an altar and said "El Elohe Israel", meaning "Mighty is the God of Israel"- Genesis 33:20.

For a moment, forget about what others said God is and reflect on who you have personally known Him to be.  In the past year, who has God been to you?  Who do you call Him?  In year 2018, I got to know God as "Papa"; "My Deliverer"; "My Strength" and "The Lifter of my head".  Every time I mention this Names of God, my heart resounds in praise and is strengthened in faith.  Take a moment to reflect on the Names of God and to worship Him for Who He is.  Also share with us on Who He is to you (#WhomDoYouCallHim).

Note: The many Names of God are His Attributes and they serve as a daily reminder that God is far above our ability to fully understand Him.  Link https://www.navigators.org/resource/praying-names-attributes-god/