In the first chapter of the Bible, Elohim, the powerful and sovereign God, created the heavens and the earth. In Genesis 2, God became personal. Along with the name that describes his power, God added his personal name—Yahweh. The LORD God (Yahweh Elohim) stooped down and breathed into Adam the breath of life, making him a living being.

Genesis 2:7
Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

Yahweh occurs over 6,800 times in the Old Testament. It is translated as “LORD” with all capital letters. The name Yahweh is found in every Old Testament book except Esther, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. It was a solemn, sacred name spoken only by the priests worshiping in the Jerusalem temple. After the temple was destroyed in AD 70, the name was not pronounced at all. When Yahweh appeared in Scripture, the reader used the name Adonai instead.

Yahweh. 6,800 times! God is a personal God, and he wants you to know it. He stooped down to breathe life into man. God chose you to be his own. He redeemed you from the slavery of sin. He adopted you as his child. God is at work on your behalf. Nothing can separate you from his love. Through Jesus, Yahweh made a covenant with you, an eternal covenant that will last forever. He’s got your eternity covered. You can trust him for today…and forever.

Yahweh,
Thank you for being my personal God. Thank you for desiring a relationship with me, choosing me, saving me, and keeping me secure through eternity. Remind me of who you are when anxiety and stress hits. Put your name on my lips when fear fills my heart. I know your name. Help me trust you for everything. In Jesus’ name. Amen.