Reflection on God's Names
by Marcie Bradshaw
~ El Simchath Gili - means GOD MY EXCEEDING JOY ~
O God you are joyful, my God of Hope. El Simchath Gili is one of His many beautiful names. I never knew that God had a name for Joy. Did you? Smack me silly...I don't know about you, but I have often thought of Him as a quiet, stoic, just, loving but firm Father who's shouldering so many burdens. God is quiet. God is just. God is loving. God is firm in his commands. He does shoulder many burdens, but he is also a mighty God. All of these things above certainly describe who He is to me and so many others...but I had never taken the time to reflect on the fact that he is a God who is joyful and likes to laugh. He likes to have a good time and celebrate.
Lately, I'm finding myself making more conscious efforts to turn back and praise Him with joy and singing for all the blessings that he's given to me and my loved ones. He likes to laugh and hear how much I appreciate and love all the blessings he's bestowed upon me. I've learned that he's not always stoic, stern, and that he definitely doesn't feel overwhelmed or overcome by the evil in this world. He's not always disappointed and disapprovingly looking down at the world from his Heavenly Throne shaking His head in disappointment at my constant failures and sins.
He's rejoicing when a sinner repents. He's singing and dancing along with us in the victories of our lives as we follow in His Son, Jesus', footsteps. Our seemingly small victories are mighty and powerful in the spiritual realm.
He laughs at all of his beloved children's little quirks. He embraces us with love and joy. He is the God of all Hope even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil for my God, My Heavenly Father, El Simchath Gili, God My Exceeding Joy...my Savior is with me in this life into Eternity.
May you and I find ourselves rejoicing in the LORD, rejoicing in Him always.
Question: How does God's restoration, redeeming love, and joy motivate me to serve Him? Especially after times of refinement?
Reflection Scriptures: Isaiah 41:18, Psalm 126: 1-6, Philippians 4:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:16, 1 Peter 4:13-19, Proverbs 31: 25
Psalm 43:4 ESV
Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
O God, my God.
Check out this video that gives a visual of how God restores our fortunes like streams in the Negev (Ps 126:4)
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