January 24, 2023 – Reflections on “What’s In A Name?”

        O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon, and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Psalm 8:1-4.

      What’s in a Name? God thought names to be very important. After He created Adam in His image, God gave him a purpose. Now out of the ground, the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. Genesis 2:19.

        God changed names when He made a covenant with them. Three examples were Abraham, Jacob, and the Apostle Paul.

       “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you.” Genesis 17:4-6.

       God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.” So He called his name Israel. And God said to him, “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body.“ Genesis 35:9-11.

        As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!  Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Acts 9:3-6.

         Then there are the names of the stars He named: He determines the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure.  Psalm 147:4-5.

         Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of His might and because He is strong in power, not one is missing. Isaiah 40:26.

         Have you ever looked up the meaning of your name? I looked up Emily and found it to mean industrious and hardworking. Anna means favor or grace.

      Where did the name Jesus come from? And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus.” Luke 1:30-31. Jesus, or originally Yeshua, means ‘The anointed one to save His people from their sins!’

      When Moses asked God for his Name, He answered, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered through-out all generations.” Exodus 3:14-15.

      Jesus, the Son of God, was more explicit in the Book of John, with His I am’s. I am bread of life, light of the world, the door, the good shepherd, the resurrection and life, the vine, the way, the truth and the life.

        We carry cards to identify us to others. God recognizes us by what we believe and the fruit we bear. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, you will recognize them by their fruits. Matthew 7:19-20.

      Yesterday, we sang this praise song in our church… There is a new name written down in glory, and it’s mine, I’ve met the Author of my story… I am who I am because The I AM tells me who I am! (Charity Gale).

         See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be, has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure. I John 3:1-3.

     As God has many names, Abba Father; Alpha and Omega – the Beginning and End; El Roi – the God who sees; El Shaddai – God Almighty; Elohim–the Creator; Jehovah Yahweh–The Self-Existent One; Jehovah–the Shepherd; Jehovah-Jireh–The Lord our Provider; and Jehovah Shalom-God of peace. All these names tell us of Who our God is, and there are more.

         Each day, I seize the day with this verse. This is the Lord‘s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:23-24.

         Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. Psalm 96:3-4.