Knowing Who God Is and His Character
The Names of God used in the Bible act as a roadmap for learning about the character of God. Since the Bible is God’s Word to us, the names He chooses in scripture are meant to reveal His true nature to us.
In our twentieth century Western culture, personal names are little more than labels to distinguish one person from another. A nickname may say a little something about the person, but not necessarily about their character.
But in Scripture, the names of God are like miniature portraits and promises. In Scripture, a person’s name identified them and stood for something specific. This is especially true of God.
If our trust in God is going to grow stronger, we must know Who He Is. As you become conscious of a way God reveals himself to you (or shows his care for you), you begin experiencing him in a personal way, which can help develop your relationship with Him.
This spiritual growth exercise will help you focus on God’s character and gain confidence in his love and care for you:
1. Quiet yourself before the Lord, allowing your focus to move from yourself and your circumstances to God and Who He Is.
2. Choose one of the Names of God and slowly read the scripture/s that speaks about this characteristic. Meditate on this quality of God and what it means to you.
3. Ask yourself: Have I experienced this characteristic of God personally? (Take time to reflect on that experience and what it meant to you personally. Thank Him and praise Him for being this for you.)
[If you haven’t experienced this characteristic, have you known others who have or might need to? Do you have a need for this quality of God in your life? How could it help strengthen your relationship with God?]
4. End this spiritual growth exercise with a time of talking and listening to God.
Here are some NAMES OF GOD for you to use in doing this spiritual growth exercise:
- A Mighty God (Isa. 9:6)
- A Sanctuary (Isa. 8:14)
- Abba Father [Daddy] (Rom. 8:15)
- Advocate (I Jn. 2:1)
- All Knowing (I Cor. 2:10-11)
- Author & Perfector of Our Faith (Heb. 12:2)
- Bread of Heaven (Jn. 6:32)
- Comfort in Sorrow (Jer. 8:18)
- Deliverer (Psa. 18:2)
- Everlasting God (Psa. 90:1-2, Isa. 40:28)
- Everywhere
- Faithful (Deut. 7:9, Lam. 3:22-23)
- God Most High (Gen. 14:18-22)
- God of All Comfort (II Cor. 1:3)
- God of Truth (Psa. 31:5)
- Healer (Exo. 15:22-26, Psa. 103:3)
- Holy One (Psa. 71:22, Isa. 43:3)
- Judge (Psa. 7:8, 96:13)
- King of Glory (Psa. 24:7-10)
- King of Kings (Rev. 19:16, I Tim. 6:15)
- Lawgiver and Judge (James 4:12)
- Life (Jn. 11:25)
- Life Giver (Gen. 2:7)
- Light of the World (Jn. 8:12)
- Living Water (Jn. 4:10)
- Lord Most High (Psa. 7:17)
- Love (Jn. 3:16, Jer. 31:3)
- Master (Luke 8:24, Gen. 15:2)
- Mediator (I Tim. 2:5)
- Mighty One (Psa. 132:2, Isa. 1:24)
- My Banner (Exo. 17:15)
- My Deliverer (Psa. 18:2)
- My Fortress (Jer. 16:19)
- My Hope (Rom. 15:13, I Tim. 1:1)
- My Rock (Psa. 42:9, Psa. 18:2)
- My Song (Exo. 15:2)
- Our Guide (Psa. 48:14)
- Peace (Micah 5:5, Judges 6:24, Eph. 2:14)
- Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6)
- Provider (Gen. 22:14)
- Redeemer (Job 19:25)
- Refuge (Isa. 25:4)
- Resurrention (Jn. 11:25)
- Righteous One (Psa. 7:9)
- Savior (Isa. 43:3, Jn. 4:42, Psa. 25:5)
- Shepherd (Psa. 23)
- Shield (Psa. 3:3, 18:30, Deut. 33:29)
- Sovereign Lord (Acts 4:24)
- Strong and Mighty (Psa. 24:8)
- Teacher (Isa. 48:17, Matt. 26:18)
- The Door (Jn. 10:7)
- The First and the Last (Isa. 44:6, Rev. 22:13)
- The God Who Sees Me (Gen. 16:13)
- The One Who Sustains Me (Psa. 54:4)
- The Word (Jn. 1:1)
- Wonderful Counselor (Ia. 9:6)
May you grow in your relationship with God as you meditate on these Names of God and experience Him as these characteristics in your life!