“God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.” Philippians 2:9
“I will thank you forever,
because you have done it.
I will wait for your name, for it is good,
in the presence of the godly.”
“O God, save me by your name,
and vindicate me by your might…
With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you;
I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good.” Psalm 52:9; 54:1,6
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10
Call on His name, look to His name, wait for His name, run to His name, hide in His name. Ah, that name above all names, in ancient Hebrew (YHWH) too holy to speak, is the sure and wholly other name we can count on and believe! God’s name is the embodiment of His being, His perfect character, the sum of His infinite and holy attributes. It is the name that saves and keeps and protects. It is in significance and identity and deed above every other, and it is at hand to God’s own. (John 17:11)
How well do we know God personally by His many names in scripture? Do we humbly marvel that He has revealed them and made available their power? Would we meditate on His names to Israel, marking them as we read and reciting them in prayer? Would we claim the ‘I ams’ of Jesus, and His many names described by His apostles, in song and application? Would we esteem His names daily in worship and work? Recalling and practicing their use for specific needs and praises will foster our familiarity with the One who draws us near. How are we welcoming and enabling God’s name to remain at hand? (Genesis 16:13; 22:14; John 6:35; 8:12; 10:11,14; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Hebrews 12:2; Revelation 19:16)
When we know Christ, having trusted His name and its power to cancel sin and seal us forever, how deliberately and steadfastly do we walk in it? Living and measuring our lives by and walking in rhythm with His name requires intentional commitment. Filled with the Spirit, by God’s strength, we get in step with Him, and our decisions and actions reflect His graces, wisdom, vision, and character. Is this our desire and determination? What hinders us, and what will we do about it? (Micah 4:5b; Zechariah 10:12; Galatians 5:16,22-23)
“O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer’s praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!
My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread thro’ all the earth abroad
the honors of your name.
Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
that bids our sorrows cease,
’tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’tis life and health and peace.
He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
he sets the prisoner free;
his blood can make the foulest clean;
his blood availed for me.
To God all glory, praise, and love
be now and ever given
by saints below and saints above,
the Church in earth and heaven.” ~Charles Wesley (1739)
Lord, may I treasure and exalt Your name above all others in thought, praise, and deed.
As the rain and snow 