friend... read the following scripture slowly and meditatively... take time to really TASTE the words...not just skip through them like a ravenous reader...
1 Chron 29:11-13
11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
12 Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.
NIV
11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
12 Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.
NIV
NAME
The connection between a name and the reality it signified is nowhere more important than in the names referring to God. The personal name of God revealed to Moses in the burning bush-"I AM WHO I AM"-conveyed something of His character (Ex 3:14). According to Ex 34:5-6, when the Lord "proclaimed the name of the Lord," He added words that described His character. The name of the Lord was virtually synonymous with His presence: "For your wondrous works declare that your name is near" (Ps 75:1). To know the name of God is thus to know God Himself (Ps 91:14). For this reason, to "take the name of the Lord your God in vain" (Ex 20:7) is to act in any way that is inconsistent with the profession that He is the Lord God.
The New Testament writers also emphasized the importance of names and the close relationship between names and what they mean. A striking illustration of this is Acts 4:12: "For there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved." In this instance the name is again practically interchangeable with the reality which it represents.
Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "Hallowed be Your name" (Matt 6:9). Christians were described by the apostle Paul as those who "name the name of the Lord" (2 Tim 2:19). A true understanding of the exalted Jesus is often connected with a statement about His name. Thus, Jesus "has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name" than the angels (Heb 1:4). According to Paul, "God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name" (Phil 2:9).
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
The connection between a name and the reality it signified is nowhere more important than in the names referring to God. The personal name of God revealed to Moses in the burning bush-"I AM WHO I AM"-conveyed something of His character (Ex 3:14). According to Ex 34:5-6, when the Lord "proclaimed the name of the Lord," He added words that described His character. The name of the Lord was virtually synonymous with His presence: "For your wondrous works declare that your name is near" (Ps 75:1). To know the name of God is thus to know God Himself (Ps 91:14). For this reason, to "take the name of the Lord your God in vain" (Ex 20:7) is to act in any way that is inconsistent with the profession that He is the Lord God.
The New Testament writers also emphasized the importance of names and the close relationship between names and what they mean. A striking illustration of this is Acts 4:12: "For there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved." In this instance the name is again practically interchangeable with the reality which it represents.
Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "Hallowed be Your name" (Matt 6:9). Christians were described by the apostle Paul as those who "name the name of the Lord" (2 Tim 2:19). A true understanding of the exalted Jesus is often connected with a statement about His name. Thus, Jesus "has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name" than the angels (Heb 1:4). According to Paul, "God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name" (Phil 2:9).
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
What does the above quoted paragraphs tell you about the Names of God? How does any of this apply to your life? Look up the scriptures in red (above) and comment on them.
Let us review this blog all week and as new revelation occurs, comment so that others can also receive. It's okay to post several or many blogs... the more comments the better! Let's be sisters and friends who sharpen each other as iron sharpens iron...
Lord, reveal to us WHO YOU ARE so that we can know you more...
