Understanding the Names of God: Yahweh Tsuri
The weather changes. Our circumstances change. Our health and relationships and finances can change. But Yahweh Tsuri remains steadfast and reliable.
NOTE: My third book in the Names of God devotional study series (Names of God: Growing Strong) will release on July 7 and is available for pre-order now. Understanding the names of God in this book has made a huge difference in my life, especially in the way I view challenging circumstances and how I pray about them. I want to share a few nuggets with you in my blogs between now and launch day, so here’s the first in a series about God’s names. Enjoy!
Let’s begin…
One of my favorite childhood Sunday school songs spoke about a wise man who built his house upon a rock. Does anyone else remember singing this tune about the rains coming down and the floods coming up?
Rock is strong and, depending on its size, immovable. Unlike sand that shifts under our feet, it makes for a sturdy foundation. Storms may come and go, but the house built on rock remains steadfast.
Yahweh Tsuri and Moses
That kids’ chorus wasn’t an elementary lesson in construction and geology. It was an analogy to life. If we want to be wise, then we’ll build our lives on Yahweh Tsuri which, translated into English, means “the LORD is My Rock.”
The weather changes. Our circumstances change. Our health and relationships and finances can change. But Yahweh Tsuri remains steadfast and reliable. He is our safe refuge in times of trouble. Because of who He is, we can always rely on Him.
The weather changes. Our circumstances change. Our health and relationships and finances can change. But Yahweh Tsuri remains steadfast and reliable.
Grace Fox
The Old Testament leader, Moses, experienced Yahweh Tsuri’s reliability throughout the Israelites’ 40-year wilderness wandering. The challenges in leading several million people from Egypt to the Promised Land could have undone even the mightiest hero, but Moses’ friendship with God gave him courage and strengthened him to persevere under pressure.
Shortly before he died, Moses acknowledged God as his Rock in a song of another sort. He sang these words to the Israelites:
“He is the Rock, his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!” (Deuteronomy 32:4 NLT)
A person on death’s doorstep doesn’t waste breath uttering meaningless words. Moses knew his time on earth was quickly coming to an end, so his words celebrated God as his unshakeable foundation and safe refuge. He’d experienced this truth about who God is, and he wanted the Israelites to understand its importance for their own well-being after his homegoing.
Thankfully, Moses’s song is recorded in the Word where we can have access to it because we, too, need to understand the truth about who God is as revealed in the name Yahweh Tsuri.
God is the most magnificent Rock
The Rocky Mountains’ grandeur always leaves me in awe when I drive through them or fly over them. The highest peak in British Columbia is Mount Robson which stands at 3,954 meters (12,972 feet). That’s more than two miles above sea level!
Sounds impressive, right? It is, but Mount Robson is pint-sized compared to Mt. Everest which reaches 8,848.6 meters (29,031.7 feet). It stands as a tower of strength above every other peak on earth, but even Mt. Everest is child’s play compared to the strength and majesty of Yahweh Tsuri.
Even Mt. Everest is child’s play compared to the strength and majesty of Yahweh Tsuri.
Mount Robson and Mount Everest seem rock-solid (no pun intended!) and invincible, but someday they will pass away. Only one Rock will remain—Yahweh Tsuri.
What is Yahweh Tsuri like and how this applies
R – Reliable
Emotions fluctuate, plans unravel, and people disappoint us, but Yahweh Tsuri remains completely reliable. He always keeps His word. When the ground beneath us rumbles and our lives feel shaky, we can call on Him for help. He is steady and will keep us on firm footing.
Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true. (Joshua 21:45 NLT)
O – Omnipotent
God is not only steadfast; He is all-powerful. His reliability is rooted in His strength. He can do the impossible, sustain the unsustainable, and move the immovable. You might feel weak at times, but rely on Yahweh Tsuri for strength and He will see you through. Always.
I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. (Job 42:2 NIV)
C – Constant
God created the earth’s mountains, and despite appearing invincible and unchanging, they undergo erosion over time. If a massive earthquake were to shake terra firma beneath them, they might sway, lose a few boulders, or suffer a landslide.
In contrast, Yahweh Tsuri is the Rock who always remains the same. His love never fails. His presence never falters. His constancy provides stability for us, and we can trust Him fully because of who He is.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NIV)
K – Keeper
Yahweh Tsuri is our Keeper and pays attention to the details of our lives. He never loses sight of us, never falls asleep on the job, and never overlooks our needs. He holds us in His hand and cradles us close to His heart. Because of who He is, we can rest assured that He is fully reliable. He’s got us and we are safe in His care.
The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:8 NIV)
Yahweh Tsuri – our Rock today and always
We are living in a time when the world changes by the hour, it seems. I’ve never experienced such uncertainty in my lifetime. Maybe you feel the same way.
What will happen later this month when the ceasefire between Iran and the USA ends…if it holds that long? And what will the world look like for our kids and grandkids in the years ahead? Closer to home, how high will the cost of gas run, and how expensive will groceries become yet?
Our world is unpredictable, to say the least. But amid the chaos, I can climb into bed at night and sleep well knowing Yahweh Tsuri is my Rock. He alone is my refuge, my safe place, and my steadying force.
I hope the same is true for you, my friend. We can stand firm, strengthened with power to persevere when Yahweh Tsuri is our foundation.
May I pray for you?
“Yahweh Tsuri, thank You for being fully reliable. In this uncertain world in which we live, You are our stability and sure foundation. Keep our eyes on You and grant us strength to persevere knowing You are our refuge. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Further reading about Yahweh Tsuri:
Know you are loved,
Grace
My new book, Names of God – Growing Strong, explores seven Hebrew names of God that will encourage you and fortify your faith. Perfect for individual or small group study, Growing Strong will help empower you to “do all things” through Christ as you grow in his strength (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
My new book, Names of God – Growing Strong, explores seven Hebrew names of God that will encourage you and fortify your faith. Perfect for individual or small group study, Growing Strong will help empower you to “do all things” through Christ as you grow in his strength (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
Great word! ❤️ G
I’m so glad you found it helpful, Gina. My heart can rest knowing God is our Rock. On Him we stand steadfast.
Blessings to you,
Grace
Wonderful comfort in our troubling times and loved the music. God Bless
Hi Gina:
I’m so glad you found this blog comforting. Boy oh boy, we’re living in wild times. Thank God-literally-that He is our Rock and our firm foundation.
Have a wonderful day, and know you are loved,
Grace
Praise God the Rock on which I stand on! Hallelujah! Amen 🕊️❤️🌹🙏🏻
Hi Carolyn! Indeed He is our Rock. Like the hymn says, “All other ground is sinking sand.”
Have a great day, and know you are loved,
Grace
Yes I remember the Sunday School song “Don’t build your house on the sandy land, don’t build it too near the shore..” Thank you for this encouraging word 🙏🏻
Hey, Carla! The song you mentioned is a different one, but I know it from summer camps. “Don’t build your house on the sandy land, don’t build it too near the shore. Well, it might look kinda nice, but you’ll have to build it twice, yes, you’ll have to build your house once more.” So true! Thanks for jogging my memory.
Have a great day, and know you are loved,
Grace
One of my favourite Psalms is one we learned and signed when I taught Gr. 1. I repeat it often to this day.
Ps 18:1-3
I love you, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer;
My God is my Rock in whom I take Refuge.
He is my Shield and the Horn of my Salvation, my Stronghold.
I call to the LORD who is worthy of praise,
and I am Saved from mine enemies.
I emphasize His names, which gives me His Strength, especially when I need it most!
Thanks for sharing this passage, Alida. It is powerful indeed. Filled to the brim with descriptive names that tell us what God is like. So, so good.
Have a great day, and know you are loved,
Grace
Grace thank you so much for these words. They encouraged my heart! He indeed is my Rock when tough situations come my way. I am so grateful that He is reliable, omnipotent constant, and One Who keeps me close to His heart. Thanks for the reminder! May you be blessed Annabelle
Hi Annabelle:
Thanks so much for sharing your take-away here. It’s so reassuring to know that God’s reliability is unquestionable. We never have a reason to doubt His integrity as our Rock. On that truth, we can rest. Always.
Have a great day, and know you are loved,
Grace
Dear Grace,
The other evening I was gripped with an internal struggle: emotions of loneliness and uncertainties of my future….this is Day 101 since our precious police officer son was killed. Yet….reading what you said, “I can climb into bed at night and sleep well, knowing Yahweh Tsuri IS MY Rock. He alone is MY refuge, MY safe place and MY steadying force”…..my heart was able to rest in that….my mind was able to picture that.
Thank you, thank you for this precious reminder of WHO our God is for us! Now….literally, for the past 5 days, instead of waking with dread and great saddness ….the first thing that comes to mind is: Yahweh Tsuri!!! He is MY rock, fortress, deliverer. My God…in whom I take refuge. (Ps. 18:2) Praise and thanks be to Him!
With a grateful heart for bringing to us this amazing and precious picture of our God!
Debby C.
Dear Debby:
When I think of what you and your family have experienced, I still have no words but “I am so very sorry for your loss and pain.” For that reason, I am so very grateful to hear how the name Yahweh Tsuri is encouraging you in these days.
Big hugs from me to you,
Grace
Dear Grace,
Your replies mean so much to me. Thank you….just to know you understand and care…….
Your devotional, Keeping Hope Alive— continues to be an ever-daily encouragement to my soul:”Repurposed” and ‘Moving Forward’ spoke words of healing and help at THE MOST PERFECT times…The Lord used ‘Moving Forward’ to help breakthrough my painful/grief-stricken heart which continues today as I navigate ‘life again’ after my police son died.
I have given this and your other devotionals : Finding Hope in Crisis and Fresh Hope for Today to friends who are now gleaning great blessings from God’s gifts through the pages of help/caring/love and direction.
With an ever-grateful and on going gratitude for these daily meetings-with-God…..
Debby C.
Hi Debby:
Your ability to persevere through the valley of the shadow of death is giving testimony to what it means to live by the power of God’s strength. You are reflecting Jesus as your source of hope. Thank you for being a light to those around you who are hurting. God is already repurposing your pain.
Thank you, too, for encouraging me by telling how God is using these devotional books to help others navigate a difficult path. You have no idea how much that means.
Know you are loved,
Grace