The Name of the Lord Delivers!

Monday morning…bulging grey clouds and pounding rain. Dismal, just like me. I shuffle to my study. Sips of hot coffee help me formulate one, single thought. How will I get through this day?

On Mondays I usually rest after a week of working hard and serving hard. I enjoy a long, leisure quiet time in God’s sweet presence, delighting in His Word. Then my husband and I feed on more manna, together. We rejoice in God’s truths and pray. Our afternoon is reserved for nothing or no one, unscheduled and uncluttered.  

Except for that Monday. Tasks leftover from the weekend loomed and there was dinner company coming. Without energy and motivation to get up and get going, I felt like my pink hardy geranium, pelted flat to the ground by the rain.  

I hoped my shepherd-husband could help me. Sunrise mornings in prayer, meditation and feasting on God’s Word equip him to feed His little flock. Now, I came bleating for help.

“Will you pray for me? There’s so much going on today, I don’t know how I’m going to get it all done. I have no desire or an ounce of energy.”

My shepherd-husband prayed, although my weariness blocked his words from penetrating. My empty stomach drew me into the kitchen to fix myself a bowl of hot oatmeal.

Raindrops kept drumming as I strolled back to my study.

A loud thunder cracked. My senses awakened, alarmed.

The voice of the Lord whispered, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).  I clutched my bible. Beside that familiar verse, I wrote, “Relax your hands—whatever you are holding, let it go; drop it.”

Rest.

God’s Words went head to head with my questions. How can I rest with undone laundry? A messy house?  My blog?  And company coming! It has to be done…today!

Again, the Lord lifted His voice to me. “The LORD your God.”

While preparing for my women’s bible study, that title arrested my attention. I learned “The LORD your God” occurs almost 300 times in Deuteronomy.

LORD, rendered Yahweh in Hebrew, identifies Him as the only, true God!

God, rendered Elohim, means

 The all powerful One…

Creator God who knows all…

Creates all…

 And is everywhere at all times.

I asked Holy Spirit to help me fix my thoughts on Elohim. I quietly repeated, over and over, His title, “The LORD my God is with me.” 

His name surpasses words. His name broke through my exhaustion and despair.

Truth’s power delivers transformation. I believed, for this situation, God knows everything and desires to help. His power exceeds my needs.

Washed by the water of God’s Word, I could see with God’s perspective once again.

With my pile of chores and responsibilities and little ambition and strength to do them, I waited and rested in “The LORD our God.” His name.

With open hands, I invited “the LORD, my God” to do in me what only He could do. His mighty power, overflowing with grace, freely works when we no longer can.

Throughout the day, I refocused my thoughts upon Elohim’s power and strength.  I intentionally praised Him. By evening, I realized necessary chores got done, and my husband and I enjoyed good food and deepened our relationships with family and friends.

 What task or difficult situation are you facing? “The LORD our God” is calling you. Rest in His Presence and recall Who He is. Believe His promise, “God’s strength comes into its own in your weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).