God’s name was so holy the Israelites gave Him a name that could not be spoken. They named God “YHWH”, Hebrew verb meaning “to exist, or be.” The usage shows God to be the independent and self-existent God.  Later, verbs were added to YHWH to be able to pronounce the name (Yahweh). Several names are added to “Yahweh” to better describe various powerful facts about God’s character.   

Yahweh Jireh (Yireh): “The Lord will provide.”

Abraham was asked to sacrifice Isaac to God.

Genesis 22:12-14  And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

13 Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

Are you praying for a need? Yahweh Jireh stresses God’s provision for His people. God is our provider always. We need to remember this in difficult times. Are you in a place of need? Call out to Yahweh Jireh. (Jehovah Jireh) and identify Him as your source and supply.  

Yahweh Nissi:“The Lord is my Banner.” 

Amalek is defeated when Moses’ hands are raised to God.

 Exodus. 17:11-15  And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands became heavy, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. 14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner; 16 for he said, “Because the Lord has sworn: the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”

God is our rallying point and our means of victory; the one who fights with His people. Are you fighting a battle? Do you feel you are at war with the enemy? Lift up your hands to Yahweh Nissi. Call out upon this name to ask for strength in battle. As long as Moses’ hands were lifted up, Israel overpowered the enemy. You may get tired. Ask others to pray along with you and encourage you.

Yahweh Shalom: “The Lord is Peace.” 

God calls Gideon to fight a vast army with a few men.

Judges 6:14, 23-24 Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” 23 Then the Lord said to him, “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.” 24 So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it The-Lord-Is-Peace. 

This name points to the Lord as the source of our peace and rest even in a battle that is coming. Do you feel overwhelmed? Has God not called you to be a warrior? When God called Gideon to fight, there was doubt and fear. But God said to Gideon, “Peace be to you; do not fear.” Gideon built an altar and called it “The Lord is Peace”, Yahweh Shalom. Are you filled with fear? Do you have sleepless nights because of worry and dread? Set a time of prayer to the God of peace. Allow His presence and power to calm you. Trust in His name. Let Yahweh Shalom say “Peace be with you” as you prepare for battle.

In your prayers, use God’s specific names of Yahweh Jireh, Nissi, and Shalom to better identify God’s attributes in your life. Let these names of God fuel your lightnside.