Our Identifiable Father in Heaven

He prayed to the LORD, ‘O LORD', is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I know that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Jonah 4: 2

God is Identifiable - O LORD.

This may seem ever so simple, and perhaps too unimportant and ordinary for some, but I was brought to it and I offer it to you. My take is simple. If God is bringing this to us, then it must be noteworthy, necessary and important to our overall well-being. 

God was known by many different Names, by the Hebrew people, names which many believers still use today. It is not uncommon for me to hear preachers, evangelists for example, speaking these names depending on what they are asking for in prayer. Many believers also name these names, as it is not uncommon to hear people praying to Jehovah Rapha, for example, when healing is being sought. The fact is that God has many names according to His works, but all these are because He is LORD.

Do you remember Moses and how concerned he was about telling the children of God, who sent him to them? When Moses asked God the question, what if they ask me, What is his name? Then what shall I tell them? Exodus 3: 13b, God is very clear on His Name for His children at this time. God said to Moses. I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you. Exodus 3: 14.

God is Lord and in this prayer of Jonah, at a time when his displeasure with a work of God is most upfront and visible, he is mindful that he is speaking to God as LORD.

One of the things which has now begun to dawn upon me, as I read the translation of the Bible I mainly use, is the way the word LORD is written. It is always in capital letters, shouting out at you, in your face as it were, telling the reader over and over again with unresolved boldness and untiring repetition, that God is LORD -  the One Supreme, the One Superior, the One who stands above and beyond, the One who stands alone in His place – the One and only LORD.

When Jonah begins his prayer and utters these words, O LORD, is he not giving God preeminence, and prominence? God’s servant, even in his disgruntled state, teaches us that our God is Identifiable, in whatsoever mood we may be. Give God His Unshared Title. Give God the honour of His Hallowed Name. He is LORD of all.

Whether you are satisfied or disgruntled with God, do you declare and display this attribute about Him? He is identifiable.

He is LORD! Title Him! Name Him.