God Wears Many Hats

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil."

-Matthew 6:9-13

While reading through the Psalms, I've been observing how God fulfills many roles in David's life. He is a Shepherd in the valley, a Fortress in the wilderness, and a Merciful Judge when David fails. David didn't just know facts about God, but he knew God through his specific needs.

As I reflected on this for my own life, I was reminded of the Lord's Prayer and how it includes many titles for God that are meaningful to me.

• Father: He is "Our Father", and we are His children. We have belonging and intimacy with Him.

• Provider: He gives us our "daily bread". He is the source of everything we need to get through each day.

• Forgiver: He cancels our debts. He lifts the weight of shame and teaches us how to extend that same mercy to others.

• Leader: He leads us and we are to trust His direction over our own impulses.

• Deliverer: He is our shield, rescuing us from the "evil one" that we cannot overcome on our own.

It's easy to think of God in just a singular way, but really, God wears many hats. No matter what season you are in, God is ready to be exactly what you need.

What role do you find you need God to be for you right now?

"I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

-Psalms 18:1-2