My heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God. Psalm 84:2
Many of us got our first introduction to Hebrew as we watched Fiddler on the Roof and sang along, “to life, to life, l’chaim!” Chai or chay means life and Elohim Chai, or El Chay, is a frequent name of God. It seems in some ways strange to me to call God a living God – because - of course. But the ancient believers used this to distinguish their God from those of the pagan areas that were made of stone and wood.
The first book of Samuel records David rebuking the Philistines, who were idol worshippers, aghast that they would challenge the army of the living God. Elohim Chai is a God who will fight and protect and can guard His own Name.
We have a God that lives. We can have a relationship with Him. He was not created by us to put on our shelf and worship. Rather we are created in His image, made for joy, for relationship, for righteousness.
As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O Elohim.
My soul thirsts for Elohim, for the living God. Psalm 42:1-2
Peter calls Jesus the Son of the Living God. And Jesus says He is life itself. Only a living God can promise life to us. He is the source of all life. He gives what only He can give.
I’m grateful for a living God, not one of my own making, who reveals Himself, loves and pursues us and has given Himself for us. He is my hope and my salvation.
For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:10
