God spoke, “Let there be light!” and with a burst of brilliance, globes of light were suspended in the darkness, twinkling bright, covering the universe. A smattering of blues, pinks, and reds that formed galaxies. Planets were formed, some as hard as a rock, and our Earth teaming with life and beauty. The laws of gravity, time, and space came into existence. As time began, God was there, orchestrating a display of his magnificent splendor. Psalm 19 is a beautiful illustration of capturing God’s creation, giving it a voice as the heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. It is no wonder that God has shown Himself mighty and powerful and displayed to us one of his many names of splendor – El Elyon, which means God Most High. It is sometimes hard to imagine that this same power that brought the universe into existence lives in all of us who are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). God Most High has shown His glory from one generation to the next. His creation speaks of His might and greatness, “On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate” (Psalm 145:4-7).
The first reference in the Bible to God’s name El Elyon appears in the story of Melchizedek, who addresses Abraham and calls himself the priest of God Most High (Genesis 14:18-20). From the beginning, one of God’s beautiful character traits is revealed to us as the Blesser. When Melchizedek met him, Abram had just experienced a God given victory. His greeting to Abram included a blessing, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand! And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” There was an exchange of blessings, revealing a relationship of God to His people and the people to God. El Elyon is always desiring to bless us, and because of our relationship with Him we are privileged to show blessing and honor to God Most High.
On the flip side of a once glorious relationship with God, Lucifer attempts to lift himself up in the place of God. Unlike the heavens declaring the glory of God, Lucifer attempted to have all things worship him. However, God will not allow anyone to misplace the power and authority of who He is or His name. In an arrogant, proud boast satan declares himself to rise to the level of God (Isaiah 14:13-14). While we see the audacity of these statements, how often do we try to replace the position of God Most High in our attempts at self-seeking gratification? The same spirit of pride rose up in Nebuchadnezzar. He marveled at all of the things “he” created, and attempted to exalt himself above El Elyon. But as we see throughout Scripture, a person never fares well coming against God Most High. After Daniel revealed the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, telling him he would live as a crazy man, acting like an animal for seven years, Daniel’s word from God came to pass. Nebuchadnezzar finally came to his senses, and honored God “At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation” (Daniel 4:34).
With his beginnings as a lowly shepherd, David became part of a miraculous act of God. Woven within the Psalms, David recounts the name of El Elyon by saying “For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved…I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High. (Psalm 21:7; 7:17). Many people, whether they are believers in Jesus or not, are familiar with the story of David and Goliath found in 1 Samuel 17. In the natural, no one would have thought that young David would be able to slay the giant Goliath. And in reality, it was unlikely. But instead of boasting in what he was capable of, he boasted in what God Most High was capable of. He told Goliath that he came against him in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, and that it was the Lord who would deliver him into his hand. David was honoring the name of the El Elyon. David knew with confidence that his victory would not be done in his strength, or by sword or spear. He acknowledged the battle was the Lord’s and God would miraculously bring the defeat of the Israelites’ enemy. Through a few small stones and a sling, God used David as the vessel to bring about the victory.
Battles have been won. Reverence has been given. Miracles have been performed. All to praise, uplift, and bless the holy name of El Elyon. In this lifetime, we can never comprehend the true power and fullness of our Great God! By a relationship with God, through Christ, we have the privilege of worshiping the one true living God, not a man-made idol. Daniel encouraged us with these words, “But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.” (Daniel 7:18). What a glorious reassurance we have when we make El Elyon our God Most High!