* Our Heavenly Father, Do You Know Him?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 

Ephesians 1:3

We should all have a burning desire to know God in a better way.  Not just know Him from an intellectual standpoint or know of Him from others, but a deep, intimate, personal relationship that can only be borne of experience with Him.

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6

God the Father is the commander of the spiritual forces of good which oppose the spiritual forces of evil. This is His special function in the realm of spiritual warfare.

He is our protector and our guide.  Whatever our needs, God has already considered.  He has provided us with everything we need.

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  2 Peter 1:3

God is omnipresent, which means He is everywhere in the universe. 

Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off?  Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.   Jeremiah 23:23–24

God's throne is in a place called Heaven but He is also omnipresent.

Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool . . . Isaiah 66:1a

We look to God as our heavenly father.  

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.   Romans 8:15

Just as a father in the natural, our heavenly father also looks after, provides and protects us.  The Bible gives other names for God, the father, which reveal His ministry to us as we are engaged in this great spiritual conflict. Names, titles and descriptions for God, the father,  include:

®    Jehovah: 

Which means Lord. The Bible combines this word with other names for God:

    *   Jehovah-Rapha:                  "The Lord that healeth"                 Exodus 15:26 

    *   Jehovah-Nissi:                    "The Lord our banner"                  Exodus 17:8-15 

    *   Jehovah-Shalom:              " The Lord our peace"                     Judges 6:24 

    *   Jehovah-Ra'ah:                  " The Lord my shepherd"              Psalms 23:1 

    *   Jehovah-Tsidkenu:            "The Lord our righteousness"     Jeremiah 23:6 

    *   Jehovah-Jireh:                    "The Lord who provides"             Genesis 22:14 

    *   Jehovah-Shammah:           "The Lord is there"                        Ezekiel 48:35

®    Elohim: 

Means God and is used wherever the creative power of God is implied 

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1

®    Father:

For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Acts 17:28

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  John 1:12-13

®     Adonai: Means Lord or Master:

Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord God. Exodus 23:17

Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire. 

Behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.  Isaiah 10:16,33

®    El: 

This is often used in combination with other words for God:

  *   El Shaddai:   "The God who is sufficient for the needs of His People"         Exodus 6:3

  *   Elolam:          "The everlasting God"                                                                    Genesis 21:33
  *   El Elyon:        "Most high God who is exalted above other so called gods"  Genesis 14:18,22

®    Yahweh: 

In the Hebrew language in which the Old Testament was written, the word "Yahweh" means God. This word is combined with other words to reveal more about the character of God. God is called:

   *   Yahweh Jireh:                       "The Lord provides"                         Genesis 22:14 

   *   Yahweh Nissi:                       "The Lord is my banner"                 Exodus 17:15

   *   Yahweh Shalom:                   "The Lord is peace"                          Judges 6:24

   *   Yahweh Sabbaoth:                "The Lord of Hosts"                         I Samuel 1:3

   *   Yahweh Maccaddeshcem:   "The Lord thy Sanctifier"                Exodus 31:13 

   *   Yahweh Tsidkenu:                 "The Lord our righteousness"       Jeremiah 23:6 

   *   Yahweh Shammah:               "The Lord is there"                          Ezekiel 48:35

   *   Yahweh Elohim Israel:         "The Lord God of Israel"                Judges 5:3

   *   Quadosh Israel:                      "The Holy One Of Israel"               Isaiah 1:4

®    The Lord Of Hosts: 

In the Biblical record, these different names of God were used when requesting God to move in a specific way on behalf of His people. For example, the name Jehovah-Rapha, meaning "The Lord that healeth," was used when seeking healing.

The specific name of God which should be used in spiritual warfare is "Yahweh Sabbaoth" which is translated "the Lord of hosts" in the King James version of the Bible. 

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Psalms 46:7

When you call upon that name in warfare, the battle is the Lord's and all the hosts of Heaven come to your aid.

(Biblical Studies)




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