William
Shakespeare wrote that “ a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” The
beautiful smell of a rose would still be just as real even if that rose had
another name. Then there are the different names of God in the old Testament
that are used to describe each aspect of His character. No other name will
suffice for each part of our God's personality. Each name reveals part of His
very nature. In the time of the old Testament, a person's name revealed
something about the person who held it. For instance Abraham means “a father of
a great multitude”, and he was the father of the great Hebrew nation. All the
way through the His Word, God explains who He is through His names. If God
created and knew us before we were even born (Psalm 139:13-15), we should also
know Him by His names.
In the Lord's prayer, the first thing Jesus says after
addressing His father in heaven is “hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9, KJV).
When we “hallow” something we honor it. It is sacred, precious, and holy. For
God to be precious and holy, we exalt Him about all other things. He is our
Savior who is worthy of our complete surrender, adoration, and worship. “Stand
up and praise the Lord your God,” Nehemiah declared, “who is from everlasting to
everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all
blessing and praise (Nehemiah 9:5b, NIV)! God's name is worthy of all praise! We
should never treat His name without the respect it is due. “Do not profane my
holy name for I must be acknowledged as holy by the Israelites. I am the Lord,
who made you holy” (Leviticus 22:32, NIV). We honor the Lord by allowing His
name to be revered not only by what we say but how we live. To revere and honor
Him, we must know who He is.
For several days I
would like to study and explore the spiritual depth of some of the names of God.
Who is God to you? Is He your healer? Is He the Lord who provides? Is He your
master? Is He your peace? Do you know Him as your Father? Is He the shepherd who
guides you safely? Is He your righteousness? God knows me by my name. I long to
know Him by His.
Tomorrow He is El
Shaddai, the Lord God Almighty.
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