The Lord is known to us by many names given in the Old Testament.  There is just not enough room here to list all the Hebrew names for our Lord, but a few of His descriptive names are:

• EL SHADDAI – “Almighty God” (Genesis 17:1)
• EL ELYON – “God Most High” (Genesis 14:18)
• JEHOVAH-JIREH – “God will see to it” (Genesis 22:14)
• JEHOVAH-NISSI – “The Lord is my banner” (Exodus 17:15)
• ELOHIM – “Powerful Creator” (Genesis 1:1)

While there are many names given to us that describe the Lord in His many characteristics, He has not given us a name that describes Himself to us as our sustainer.  This is not to say the Lord does not sustain us, for He certainly does.  We read in Psalm 55:22, “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”  What does it mean that the Lord will sustain us?  The Hebrew word used here is ‘kûwl’ and is defined as: to keep, to guide, to feed, to be present.  This same word is translated in the Bible as NOURISH (Genesis 45:11), FEED (2 Samuel 19:33), PROVIDED VICTUALS (1 Kings 4:7), HELD (2 Chronicles 4:5) and GUIDE (Psalm 112:5).  Psalm 54:4 tells us, “Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.” (NASB).

We also read in Psalm 3:5, “I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.”  What a comforting and strengthening thought…to realize that even while we are asleep, our Lord has His eye upon us and is keeping us in His divine care.  Psalm 121:4 assures us that our blessed Lord, “…shall neither slumber nor sleep.”  No, He is always awake and attentive to our needs to make provision for us in all our situations. 

We are instructed in 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”  The word ‘careth’ here means that the Lord is interested in and is concerned about every facet of our lives.  Indeed, HE CARES.  Realizing the meticulous care of the Lord for His own, and the fact that He is the sustainer of our souls, that makes the promises of God even more precious.

• Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
• 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
• Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
• Matthew 6:26, “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?”

I’ll leave you with one more precious promise from our blessed redeemer and sustainer.  Hebrews 13:5 gives us this promise, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE.”  (CC)  (706.4)