By Ann Spangler
People’s names in the ancient world did more than simply distinguish one person from another. They often conveyed the essential nature and character of a person. This is especially true when it comes to the names of God recorded in the Bible. The book Praying the Names of God: A Daily Guide explores the primary names and titles of God in the Old Testament to reveal the deeper meanings behind them. El Shaddai, Elohim, Adonai, Abba, El Elyon—God Almighty, Mighty Creator, Lord, Father, God Most High—these are just a few of the names and titles of God that yield rich insights into his nature and character. Each day this week we’re focusing on one of the primary names or titles of God. By incorporating the divine names and titles into your own prayers—and learning about the biblical context in which the name was revealed—you’ll gain a more intimate understanding of who God is and how he can be relied on in every circumstance of your life. I pray these posts will lead you into fresh encounters with the living God.
[Read the Names of God Bible (NOG) on Bible Gateway]
The Name: Miqweh Yisrael
Hope is the great stabilizer. It steadies us in times of fear and difficulty, not because we know that everything will turn out as we want but because we know that God is trustworthy. Hope is what helps us stay on course regardless of circumstances.
Biblical hope finds its roots in God, in his goodness, mercy, and power. We exercise our hope when we endure patiently. We nurture our hope when we read God’s Word. Though we hope for earthly blessings, our greatest hope is aimed at the life to come, when God will not only wipe away our tears but invite us to share his joy forever.
When you pray to Miqweh Yisrael, the Hope of Israel, you’re praying to the One who saves all those who trust in him.
Key Scripture: Jeremiah 17:7-8
A blessing on the man who puts his trust in the LORD,
with the LORD for his hope.
He is like a tree by the waterside
that thrusts its roots to the stream;
when the heat comes it feels no alarm,
its foliage stays green;
it has no worries in a year of drought,
and never ceases to bear fruit….
Hope of Israel, LORD!
[Read the other Bible Gateway Blog posts in this Praying the Names of God series by Ann Spangler]
Praying the Names of God: A Daily Guide is published by HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the parent company of Bible Gateway.
Bio: Ann Spangler (@AnnSpangler) is an award-winning writer and the author of many bestselling books, including Less Than Perfect, Praying the Names of God, Praying the Names of Jesus, and The One Year Devotions for Women. She’s also coauthor of Women of the Bible and Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus, and the general editor of the Names of God Bible. Ann’s fascination with and love of Scripture have resulted in books that have opened the Bible to a wide range of readers. She and her two daughters live in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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