The Great Governor

The Great Governor
Who Brings Order, Goodness, and Equity
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The Names of God
There are many Names for God in Scripture. They were either declared by God Himself or given to Him by people when He became personal to them. For instance, the Hebrew Name of God, El Roi, was given by Hagar, Sarai’s maid. After Sarai’s harsh treatment of her, Hagar fled and found herself in a desperate, lonely place. An angel of the Lord came to her by a spring in the wilderness with instruction and comfort. She declared, “You are El Roi!” meaning You are God Who sees me !

The most common Names of God in Scripture are Elohim, Adonai, and YHWH. All these names reflect His eternal existence and sovereignty as Lord. Elohim also means Creator, Adonai means Lord, and YHWH means I Am that I Am (transliterated as Yahweh although no one knows the certainty of the pronunciation).

The Great Governor
The Name of God used in Psalm 98 is Yahweh. One of the actions attributed to Him in Psalm 98 is judging.

Let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains sing together for joy before Yahweh for He is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness and the people with equity.
(Psalm 98:89)

The original Hebrew word for judge in these verses is shâphat’. It has a broader meaning than to pronounce a sentence of punishment for a crime. It means to govern, litigate, rule, bring order to, or arbitrate between disputes. This word judge is good news! The Lord will come to judge the earth! He will bring order to the chaos! He will rule with goodness, justice, and impartiality! He is The Great Governor.

In John 3:16-19, the word judge is the Greek krinō and means make a distinction or reach a verdict on the guilt or innocence of the defendant (the one accused) or decide the results of a life based on infractions to the rules. Yeshua said to Nicodemus,

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes (Gr. pisteu’ō – puts one’s trust in for spiritual wellbeing) in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world but to save the world through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has already been judged, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the judgment that light is come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.

When we put our trust in Him, we are separated from judgment and covered by His love. We are distinguished as His children (John 1:12-13). He brings order into our lives and through us to the world. He forgives our sin, sets us free from guilt, and sets us free to live as light and truth. We are on a journey in His light. He is our Loving Governor. We must not let the current events and suffering take our eyes off Him. Lord, increase our trust in You and our loyalty to You!

His Name To You
How have you experienced God’s presence this week? What Name would you give Him today?

Has He been The God of All Comfort to you? (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Has He been Abba, Father? (Isaiah 64:8)
Has He been Yahweh Shalom, your Peace? (Micah 5:2-5a)

To me He has been Yahweh Hō·w·mat – The Lord is my Wall

“For I,” declares Yahweh, “will be a wall of fire to her, and I will be the glory in her midst.”
(Zechariah 2:5).

He is my Resilient Wall as circumstances threaten to permeate my emotions. That is the word that keeps coming to mind – permeable. BUT GOD! He is my Defense and Fortress as grief and evil threaten.

I believe this verse from Zechariah is a twofold prophecy of the New Jerusalem where we are destined to abide, as well as a prophecy of His protection over us today!

Let’s praise Adonai today for Who He is! Let’s sing these two hymns to Yahweh together!

Jerusalem The Golden with milk and honey blest,
beneath thy contemplation sink heart and voice oppressed.
I know not, oh, I know not, what joys await us there,
what radiancy of glory, what bliss beyond compare!

They stand, those halls of Zion, all jubilant with song,
and bright with many an angel and all the martyr throng!
The Prince is ever in them, the daylight is serene;
the pastures of the blessed are decked in glorious sheen.

There is the throne of David; and there, from care released,
the shout of them that triumph, the song of them that feast;
and they who with their Leader have conquered in the fight,
forever and forever are clad in robes of white.

Oh, sweet and blessed country, the home of God’s elect!
Oh, sweet and blessed country, that eager hearts expect!
Jesus, in mercy brings us to that dear land of rest,
Who Art with God the Father, and Spirit ever blest!
Author: Bernard of Cluny

A Mighty Fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper He amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing.
Were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God’s own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He!
Lord Sabaoth His name,
from age to age the same,
and He must win the battle.

And though this world with devils filled
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear for God has willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him!

That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill –
God’s truth abideth still!
His kingdom is forever!
Author: Martin Luther (1529)

For more about God's governance see my writing, Governed Garden.
Click here to see the El Roi Art Card.
Click here to see the Hebrew Names of God Collection.

The Great Governor

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