As only a servant of King Artaxerxes of Persia, Nehemiah was in no position to ask the King for time off to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, or to ask him for the building materials, or his protection while he was doing it. However, Nehemiah understood how to pray to his almighty God for help, and so he went to source of all he needed.
Nehemiah began his prayer with; “I beseech you, O LORD God of heaven.” LORD being spelled with all capital letters, which indicates reference to Jehovah (a Hebrew name and a form of Yahweh, meaning; God who is eternal in His being. This recognition declares God is; everything, everywhere, and all within His presence. The promises of God are such that He already knows exactly how He will keep His promises to you. Nehemiah knew God as; the awesome God who preserves the covenant. We have this same assurance of who God is to us.
Another Hebrew word for God is; Elohim, translated to mean, He who is absolutely sovereign. Nehemiah understood that this same God who created the world and everything in it was more than capable to provide him the wood and the necessary time off from his regular duties to the King to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
God has many names: Jehovah-Jireh (provider), Jehovah Rapha (healer), and Adonai (master) to mention a few. When we are in doubt, we can call upon the God who reassures – when we are troubled, we can call upon the God of comfort. Hebrew is a language of preciseness – speaking God’s exact name for that which we are praying can help believers know better who He is. His character is revealed through His many names.
Would you be interested in learning more about the names of God? I can recommend a fine book by the title of; NAMES OF GOD, written by Lester Sumrall. I think you will find it fascinating. It’s published by Whitaker House Publishers.
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