STUFF ABOUT GOD AND CHRISTIANITY | Dr. Ron Braley
Father of lights. Father of spirits. Creator, daddy, healer and provider. All label and describe the one who was, is and is to come. And, as he is, God cares for his children as no other.
What follows is a sampling of God’s many attributes, starting with his name.
God’s name
Hebrew YHVH is his formal name, usually pronounced as Jehovah or Yahweh. Conversely, the Bible mentions “in the name” of God or Christ. Just ending a prayer “in Jesus’ name” is not what this means — it’s their power, character and authority by which followers must operate.
Creator and father
“This is the account of the heavens and the Earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made Earth and heaven.” (Genesis 2:4)
Daddy
One of the coolest names of God is Abba, which means “daddy” or “papa”: “And he was saying, ‘Abba! Father!
All things are possible for you; remove this cup from me …’” (Mark 14:36)
King/ lord
“The God who made the world and all things in it, since he is lord of heaven and Earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.” (Acts 17:24) Shepherd (YHVH Rohi)
Psalm 23:1-3 reflects this attribute: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes … He leads … He restores … He guides …”
Healer (YHVH Rapha)
Exodus 15:26 states, “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the lord your God, and do what is right in his sight, and give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the lord, am your healer.”
Provider (YHVH Jireh)
God gives so many things, including food, shelter, money, transportation, and salvation.
Savior
We see the saving hand of YHVH through his son, whom we call Jesus, who obediently came to Earth, lived as a human, died a horrible death and was raised by the father to be the first of many who would be raised on the last day: “We have seen and testify that the father has sent the son to be the savior of the world.” (1 John 4:14)
Judge
YHVH’s son will judge everyone at the end of this age. Some will then enter eternal life. Others will experience eternal destruction (2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 25:3146): “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because he has fixed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness through a man whom he has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31)
Summary
God can be father, daddy, creator, healer, provider and savior. Is he yours?
Next time, we’ll dive into the complex topic of divorce. Meanwhile, remember the father of spirits and honor him appropriately.
God’s blessings and peace.
Braley, a Taylor-based minister, Air Force veteran, husband and father, earned a Master of Divinity degree from Regent University in 2018 and a Doctor of Ministry from the same school in 2021.
