El Elyon - God Most High

This is one of my favorite names of God. It reminds us of His power over everything, He's the ruler of the entire UNIVERSE, ALL that is, was, and is to come! He rules over all of man's affairs, He delivered Abraham, He redeemed His people (Jews and Gentiles!). His sovereignty has even been recognized by pagan/unbelieving leaders (Nebuchadnessar (Daniel 4:34) and the centurian at the cross, for example). "For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and HIs kingdom endures from generation to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off HIs hand of say to Him, 'What hast Thou done?'" Daniel 4:34-35!!!

What is GOd sovereign over? Well, let's see what He tells us!
-an everlasting kingdom, no one can stop His will from occurring (Daniel 4:34-35)
-what He plans happens just as He intends it to happen (Isaiah 14:24,27)
-no one else is like Him; He sets a purpose and brings it to pass (Isaiah 46:9-11)
-wisdom and power belong to Him (so He is really our only source of these!); He establishes kings, gives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding (this is how I survive medical school!), He reveals hidden things, He knows what is in the light AND the darkness. Basically any changes that occur, He authorized or caused (Daniel 2:20-23)
-He has control over all things pertaining to the growth, success, and safety of HIs people (Isaiah 5:5-7)
-There is no god beside Him. He gives life and puts to death. He wounds and heals. BUT "there is no one who can deliver from My hand."!!!!!!(Deuteronomy 32:39)
-He opens and closes the womb. (I Samuel 1:5-6)
-He kills and makes a live; He brings to Sheol and raises up. He makes rich and poor. He brings low and exalts. The pillars of the earth are HIS! "He keeps the feet of His godly ones, but the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; for not by might shall a man prevail. (guidance)" He shatters and judges. He gives strength to His king and exalts His anointed. (I Samuel 2:6-10)
-He forms light and creates darkenss. He causes well-being and creates calamity. He does ALL! (Isaiah 45:6-7)
-He gives earthly authority, even to those leaders we would call evil:
"Pilate therefore said to Him, 'You do not speak to me? Do You not konw that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?' Jesus answered, 'You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me up to you has the greater sin." (John 10:10-11)

Although most of these references are from the Old Testament, they still have relevance to who God is and to our lives. Even before Christ, eternal salvation was based on faith! Those who will be in heaven had faith that Christ would come and ACTED in that faith daily (see Hebrews 11). This is a lot to take in about our God! In the book I'm going through, this encompassed 2 days! So, I'm going to finish this awesome name tomorrow...remember, God is in control of all that happens but has you in His hand and NO ONE can take you from Him!