The God Of All Possibilities (Distinct Names Of God)

And so, Gideon became a judge over Israel and there was peace in the land.

Later on, Samuel would be the last judge over Israel, and the first Prophet. During his time, the people demanded for a King to rule over them. Some of the Kings, like David, did what was good in the eyes of the Lord, and the people prospered. Unfortunately, many of them did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord. Their actions led Israel and Judah to slide back into idolatry, sin and rebellion against the Lord.

But I thank God because our God is Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord our Righteousness. This name first appears in the book of prophet Jeremiah during a time when the nation of Judah was steeped in sin and rebellion. The people had turned away from God, and corruption ran rampant among the leaders. It was a period of spiritual decay.

But despite the decay, God gave a promise through the prophet Jeremiah 23:5-6 saying, “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. 6 In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Amen!

This promise pointed to none other than Jesus Christ, the Messiah! Jesus, the righteous branch, took our sin upon Himself and in exchange, clothed us in His righteousness. This means that when God looks at us, He no longer sees our sin. He sees the righteousness of His son. What an incredible exchange!

Through Jehovah Tsidkenu, we become not just recipients of His righteousness, but vessels through which His righteousness is displayed to the world.

Unfortunately, despite the sweet interventions, the children of Judah continued doing what was evil in the eyes of the Lord; and the Lord allowed the Babylonians to come and carry them into exile.

While in exile, the Babylonian captors demand musical entertainment - the songs of Zion. But the captives, who could only cry, hang up their musical instruments and refused to make music. Their plea, recorded in Psalms 137:3-4, I love it in New Living Translation Bible. It says, “For our captors demanded a song from us. Our tormentors insisted on a joyful hymn: “Sing us one of those songs of Jerusalem!” 4 But how can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a pagan land?”

Saints, we too have been exiled by sin. But I thank God because despite the pain that sin has brought, He is Jehovah Shammah, the Lord who is there.

The name Jehovah Shammah was first spoken in a vision given to the prophet Ezekiel; a prophet is exile. During this time, the people of Judah in exile, separated from their homeland and the temple; the place where they believed God's presence dwelled. They felt abandoned, lost and without hope.

But in the midst of their despair, God gave Ezekiel the vision of a new city and a new temple. This new place would be marked by the presence of God, and the name of the city would be Jehovah, Shammah, the Lord is there, Ezekiel, 48:35.