El Elyon

If you read the newspaper or watch television, it feels as if our world is constantly in a state of chaos and confusion. Earthquakes, hurricanes and floods, rogue nations with nuclear bomb capabilities, H1N1 influenza, marriages casually tossed aside, children killing parents and parents killing children, finances disappearing almost overnight, the rise of radical Islam and so many other occurrences cause us to wonder if anyone is at the controls of this world.

Today, I want us to know that Someone, most assuredly, is in complete control of everything that happens. Nothing takes Him by surprise and He never thinks, “Whew, I didn’t see that one coming!” Who is He? He is El Elyon–the Most High God. This name identifies God as the sovereign ruler of the universe. I invite you to join me as we journey through the pages of the sacred Word and meet El Elyon.

In Genesis 14 we find this name of God used four times in the story of Melchizedek. Abraham’s nephew, Lot had been taken captive in the midst of a war between nine Canaanite kings. Abram went out to rescue Lot and as he was returning home, he met Melchizedek who introduced himself as the king of Salem and priest of God Most High (El Elyon). Unlike Melchizedek, all the other kings with whom Abram had come in contact were worshippers of the Canaanite gods. His words made it clear that he represented the Most High God, El Elyon, when he spoke to Abram in verses 19-20 (NKJV),

“Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”

In that moment, Melchizedek reminded Abram that what had seemed like an impossibility—rescuing Lot from hundreds of military men—was accomplished because Abram had El Elyon on his side.

Let us now move into the book of Daniel and watch King Nebuchadnezzar meet El Elyon. Nebuchadnezzar was, as my grandmother used to say, quite full of himself, and had done a spectacular job of exalting himself all over the pagan kingdom. One day God decided He had heard enough of Nebuchadnezzar’s boasting and caused him to become as a wild animal that lived outdoors. Nebuchadnezzar went from the palace to the pasture in almost the blink of an eye because of his pride! Eventually he came to his senses and realized that he was nothing compared to the sovereign God. In Daniel 4:34 (NKJV), Nebuchadnezzar says,

“At the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever.”

Nebuchadnezzar thought he was high and mighty until He met the Most High!

Finally, let’s look at one more place El Elyon is used to identify our God. The prophet Isaiah recounts for us in chapter 14 the fall of Lucifer, or Satan, from heaven. Satan, ever seeking to be like God, declares five ‘I will’ statements. The final ‘I will’ in Isaiah 14:14 is that Satan will “be like the Most High”. Out of Satan’s mouth comes what I believe to be one of the greatest testimonies of the sovereignty of God ever uttered when he called God “the Most High”. Even Satan himself admitted that there is none greater than El Elyon.

Allow me to close with a quote from Kay Arthur found in her devotion study, I Want to Know You, about this wonderful name of God. On page 15, Kay says, “..if God is not sovereign, if He is not in control, if all things are not under His dominion, then He is not the Most High, and you and I are either in the hands of fate (whatever that is), in the hands of man, or in the hands of the devil.”

God is sovereign and He is in absolute control. Our world may feel like no one is in control, but please know that El Elyon has perfect control of all that happens in this world and nothing happens that He does not permit. Do you acknowledge Him as the Most High? Rest assured that you will bend your knee to Him one day, either by compulsion or conviction. I encourage you to begin today.

Copyright 2010 © Leah Adams. Used by permission.