Vanquish Fear

This part of our study was very appropriate in light of the election yesterday. . .

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Another name for God is El Elyon. The first time this name for God is used is in Genesis 14. In this passage there is a war between four kings and Abram's nephew, Lot, is taken captive. In response, Abram gathers his trained men to go after and rescue Lot. Abram defeats the kings and retrieves his nephew. Following this victory, the king of Sodom went out to meet Abram. Melchizedek king of Salem was a priest of God Most High. We read his blessing in verses 19-20: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand."

God's name in verse 18 is God Most High. God Most High delivered Abram's enemies into his hands. This Hebrew name El Elyon, God Most High, shows us some important things about God. God is the Possessor of heaven and earth. God is sovereign; this means He is the Ruler over the entire universe. "There is absolutely nothing that God does not have complete and total control over!" (p. 36)

Another passage that shows us that God is the ruler of all is Daniel chapter 4. "Daniel 4 is about a king named Nebuchadnezzar, who was a very proud king. Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that makes him afraid. So he gives orders for the wise men and magicians to tell him what the dream means. No one can interpret the dream except for Daniel (Daniel 4:4-8)."

"Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar that because the king does not recognize God as God Most High, God is going to drive him away from mankind and make him like a beast of the field. He will eat grass and be drenched with the dew of heaven for seven periods of time (seven years) (Daniel 4:24,25)."

"A year later Nebuchadnezzar is walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon and saying, 'Look at all I have built by my power and might for the glory of my majesty,' when a voice comes from heaven and tells King Nebuchadnezzar that his sovereignty has been removed (Daniel 4:30, 31)." (p. 36)

Because Nebuchadnezzar did not recognize that the Most High was ruler over mankind, God made him like a beast of the field for seven years. Nebuchadnezzar began eating grass, became drenched with dew, his hair grew like eagle's feathers and his nails became like bird claws. At the end of the seven years, Nebuchadnezzar finally blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him. He said, "For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. 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 or say to Him, 'What have you done?'" Once Nebuchadnezzar finally recognized God as Most High God, his majesty and splendor were restored. King Nebuchadnezzar praised God by saying, 'The King of heaven. . . all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.'" God Most High humbled the mighty king Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, making him a beast of the field.

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Isaiah 14:24-27 gives us further insight. In verses 24 and 27 we read that whatever God intends will happen just as He plans. "God is the Ruler of all of the universe" and "no one can stop Him." We can feel safe and secure knowing that "God's name is El Elyon and that He is in complete and total control. He rules over the nations, kings, rulers, and wars. We don't have to worry or be afraid, because God loves us and no one can frustrate His plan or turn back His hand! Nothing can ever happen to us without God's permission." (p. 38)

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-Discover 4 Yourself Inductive Bible Studies for Kids!; God, What's Your Name?; Kay Arthur and Janna Arndt; pp. 34-38

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