MONDAY 

El Elyon - God Most High

Studying the Name

When applied to God, the term Elyon, meaning “Highest” or “Exalted One,” emphasizes that God is the highest in every realm of life. Jesus is known as the Son of the Most High, while the Holy Spirit is the power of the Most High. When you praise the Most High, you are worshiping the One whose power, mercy, and sovereignty cannot be matched.

Understanding the Name

Elyon, the title given to the highest of the Canaanite gods, was appropriated by the Hebrews as a title for Yahweh emphasizing God’s transcendence. The passage in Daniel regarding the interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream illustrates what happens when human beings forget who is the highest in heaven and on earth.

Key Scripture 

“Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was stunned for a moment, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king said, “Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My Lord, may the dream apply to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies! This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the sentence of the Most High that has been passed against my Lord the king: You will be driven away from people to live with the wild animals. You will feed on grass like cattle and be drenched with dew from the sky for seven periods of time, until you acknowledge that the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of men, and He gives it to anyone He wants. As for the command to leave the tree’s stump with its roots, your kingdom will be restored to you as soon as you acknowledge that Heaven rules. Therefore, may my advice seem good to you my king. Separate yourself from your sins by doing what is right, and from your injustices by showing mercy to the needy. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.” All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of 12 months, as he was walking on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon, the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great that I have built by my vast power to be a royal residence and to display my majestic glory? ” While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared that the kingdom has departed from you. You will be driven away from people to live with the wild animals, and you will feed on grass like cattle for seven periods of time, until you acknowledge that the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of men, and He gives it to anyone He wants.” At that moment the sentence against Nebuchadnezzar was executed. He was driven away from people. He ate grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with dew from the sky, until his hair grew like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. But at the end of those days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity returned to me. Then I praised the Most High and honored and glorified Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation.” Daniel 4:19, 24-34.

Discussion:

What does the king’s dream and Daniel’s interpretation indicate about the source of Nebuchadnezzar’s greatness and prosperity?

Nebuchadnezzar may have been stricken by a rare form of insanity in which a human being believes he is a particular kind of animal. Why do you think his boasting led to this kind of punishment?

What does Nebuchadnezzar’s story reveal about the link between sanity and humility?

How have you been tempted to take credit for God’s blessings?

What can you do to acknowledge God’s greatness?

TUESDAY - Praying the Name

Reflect On: Psalm 97.

Praise God: For He is exalted far above all gods.

Offer Thanks: Because the God of all the earth has revealed Himself to you.

Confess: Any over-emphasis on pleasure or comfort in your life.

Ask God: To sharpen His image in your soul.

WEDNESDAY - Praying the Name

Reflect On: Luke 6:27-36.

Praise God: For His all-surpassing goodness.

Offer Thanks: For the ways God has shown you mercy.

Confess: Any pride that would keep you from modeling God’s character.

Ask God: For the grace to display God’s character to those who don’t deserve it.

THURSDAY - Praying the Name

Reflect On: Acts 1:1-11 and Hebrews 1:3-4.

Praise God: Because He reigns above all.

Offer Thanks: That your life is hidden in Christ.

Confess: Any tendency to live as though there’s no such place as heaven.

Ask God: To help you set your heart on the things that are above, where Christ is.

FRIDAY - Continued Prayer and Praise

Remember that life and death, victory and failure are in the hands of the Most High. (Isaiah 2:6-10).

Thank God that His ways are higher than ours. (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Let the Most High be your shield. (Psalm 7:10).

Praise the Most High morning and night. (Psalm 92:1-3).

Consider the works of the Most High. (Psalm 107).