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Preparing Your Heart by Knowing God by Name!

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The question for Christians today is not, “Does God exist?” but: “Who is our God?” God is not an abstract, unknowable being, or a nameless power, He has a personality. One of the ways His personality is understood is through the particular names He assigns to Himself. A good understanding of the names of God leads to a better understanding of God Himself.

The term for name in the Hebrew (Old Testament) language most likely meant, “mark, or individual mark”. A name communicated something of the essence, character, and reputation of the individual. In the ancient world, a person’s self was expressed and contained in his name as seen in 1 Samuel 25:25: “He is just like his name– his name is Fool, and folly goes with him” (NIV).

In the Greek (New Testament) language, the word for name comes from a verb that means to know. Thus a name correctly described the person and indicated his character. God’s names disclose His nature. “Knowing the name of God,” meant knowing his identity and personal character. For those who know and acknowledge His name comes trust and hope in Him (Psalm 9:10; 91:14). This hope and trust is in stark contrast to those who don’t “know His name.” In Psalm 79:6 and Jeremiah 10:25 it is written that God will pour out His wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge Him and peoples who do not call on His name.

Since God is both transcendent (absent and removed from the world) and immanent (present and active in our world), no one name can fully describe God. Here are just a few of examples of how He reveals Himself to us through His names:

1) Proper names: El, Yahweh, Adonai, Theos, Kurios
2) Personal names: Father, Abba, Son, Jesus, Holy Spirit,
3) Titles: Creator, Messiah, Christ, Paraclete, Comforter, Maker, King, Judge, Ancient of days, True Prophet, Only High Priest, Eternal King.
4) Essential names: Light, Love, Spirit, Living bread, Living water,
5) Descriptive names: Rock, Master, Rabboni, Shepherd, Door, Vine
6) Attributes: names of virtues or characteristics of God

Today, prepare your heart by praising God through one of His names.

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Those who wait. . .

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Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up {with} wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. (NAS) Isaiah 40:31

Except for the Garden of Eden, never in history has man escaped troubles, suffering and trials. Oftentimes the world seems to be without meaning or purpose, but God promises the people of Judah, as well as Christians today, that He will give hope, strength and comfort to those who trust in Him. But, the key to receiving God’s strength is revealed in Isaiah 40:31. Isaiah states that those who hope, or wait in the Lord, are the ones who renew their strength. But, “waiting” as used here, is not meant to suggest a neutral position. The verb means to wait with confidence, in expectation, trusting in God.

Waiting for men is difficult. In a society where instant gratification is expected, it is against human nature to patiently wait. Instead, we try to make things happen in our own way, by our own doing. But, as Christians, waiting on God is the rule, not the exception. We must learn to accept the fact that it takes time to grow and become the product that God desires for us. As David tells us in Psalm 62, we should wait in silence, in stability, and in confidence, which comes only from God.

The Hebrew word to “wait” is “qavah,” meaning “to bind together,” perhaps by twisting. It is by twisting ourselves around God’s strong nature that we ourselves receive strength and confidence in Him. We do not possess these traits ourselves, but God makes them available to those who wait and hope in Him. In return, God promises to “renew their strength.” The Hebrew verb used here for “renew” means to “exchange power or strength,” indicating that God will exchange man’s weakness for His strength.

Are you in a waiting mode? Are you waiting in silence, in stability, and in confidence? or have you given up hope? Try “twisting” yourself around God’s strong nature and in turn, receive His strength!

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Faith Walking

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Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (NIV) Hebrews 11:1

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? (NIV) Romans 8:24

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV) Romans 15:13

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. (NIV) Ephesians 1:18-19

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (NIV) Hebrews 11:1

What is God asking you to do today that will take faith? Are you debating about following God in faith? Or are you whole-heartedly doing all that He’s asking you to do? Remember, you’re safer jumping off a cliff holding God’s hand than you are standing on “solid” ground!

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Worth the Wait!

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Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NIV) Hebrews 12:2

Hope in the future:
O Lord You are my hope and my salvation. I envision You standing at the finish line of my race. . .not back in the crowd. . .but right at the line waiting for me with a big smile on Your face. . . Your arms stretched out waiting for me to fall into Your embrace. And Your eyes are glowing. . . radiating the love You have for me. . .communicating, “Everything I went through, the shame, the suffering of the cross, the frustration, it was worth it to have you with Me.”

I stumble into Your arms and am embraced with Your nail scarred hands, kissed by the face that was beaten. I am with love eternal, love overflowing, love overwhelming, love sufficient, love without fail. I am with the One who loves me more than life itself. I am with my Beloved Jesus. O what a day it will be! What an eternity it will be!

A Prayer to Pray:
O dear Jesus, I need that embracing love today. I know You are with me, but I need to feel Your arms around me, be filled with Your presence, and to know that I am protected.

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The Race Is On!

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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (NIV) Hebrews 12:1

Who are these witnesses? They are our encouragers, those who have gone before us who have had an experiential knowledge of the faith. Their type of faith honors God. They are the great men and women of faith that are written about in Hebrews 11. These are the great heroes of the past that say to us today, “I made it, you can too.”

Men like . . .

  • Noah, who warned the people that God’s judgment was coming. In holy fear he built an ark to save his family. Noah would say, “Be bold, speak the Truth in love.”
  • Abraham, who was called to go to a place that he would later receive as his inheritance. He obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going! Abraham would say, “Trust God even when you can not see the way.” Or he would tell us “Believe God will do the impossible.” Abraham should know. God enabled him to become a father at 100 years old.
  • Joseph, who when circumstances did not look like they would ever get better, would tell us, “Believe God will work all things out for His purposes.”
  • Moses would tell us when we are tired and weary, “Persevere. Look to God. Look ahead to His promises.”
  • Joshua was confronted with leading a people in a way that defied all logic. Joshua would say, “God is true to His Word. Trust Him and watch Him work in incredible ways.”

Hebrews 11 tells us about men and women who were all commended for their faith. Now they have been “ushered” off the track and into the stands, figuratively cheering you and me on. Their stories encourage us. In this case, they have already received their “trophy.” They have finished the race. These great men and women of the faith are the spectators so to speak.

Now it is our turn to carry on the tradition of enduring faith. Christianity is not a spectator sport. It is the active participants who receive the trophy, not the spectators. How are you running the race?

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Hope vs. Despair

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And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV) Romans 8:28

Why bother with God? Because He is the difference between. . .

Hope or Disillusionment for tomorrow
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV)

. . . God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV)

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 NIV)

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The Lamb of God

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For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (NIV) 1 Peter 1:18-19

God had told the Israelites: “At midnight I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn– both men and animals–and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. The blood of the lamb you sacrificed will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.”

This Passover is a foreshadowing of the hope of God’s true redemption. There had to be death, blood had to be shed (Hebrews 9:22) . . . if the lamb had not died, the oldest son would have. By the sacrifice, God taught that there must be death to atone for sin. . . the wages of sin is death. . . either the death of the offender or the death of the innocent substitute.

The next day he (John the Baptist) saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NAS) For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (NIV 1 Peter 1:18-19) Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. (NAS 1 Corinthians 5:7)

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

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Love Hopes and Perseveres

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It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (NIV) 1 Corinthians 13:7

How do you measure up against God’s standards for love?

How do you measure up against God’s standards for love? When was the last time you lost hope? hope in God? in your present situation? in the future? in your marriage? in your children? in your ability to provide for your family? Do you look at failure as final?

When do you feel like giving up? in the middle of health problems? suffering? persecution? difficulties at work? difficulties within your family? Do you feel like giving up when it looks like there’s no way out of a situation?

How do you measure up against God’s standards for love?

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