Name

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Psalm 8:1

    King David begins this Psalm of Praise by declaring that the name of God is majestic.  The very name of God is majestic, grand, honorable.  Names were very important to the Jewish people and were used as descriptors of character and action.  This is why the Old Testament is filled with so many names for God.  Because God, the great I AM, Yahweh is foundationally beyond our understanding and so precious, the Jewish people ascribed to God other names that described His amazing character.  All of the names for God are meant to give His people a greater understanding of His glory!  God was known to the nation of Israel as El Shaddai, the Lord God Almighty & El Elyon, The Most High God.  These names describe the majestic nature of our God.  El Shaddai & El Elyon point to the truth that God is above all things, sovereignly ruling in His mighty power.  Adonai, was used to describe God as master and King, to show that He was in charge and that the nation of Israel were His subjects.  Jehovah-Roi, The Lord My Shepherd, was used to describe God as the One who graciously leads His people.  Jehovah-Rapha, The Lord Who Heals, was used to remind Israel that their God is One who delights in healing and restoring His people.  Jehovah-Shalom, The Lord Is Peace, was given to tell of God’s desire for all things to exist in harmony to His glorious name.  Jehovah-Sabaoth, The Lord Of Hosts, speaks to the truth that God has authority over all things in Heaven and on earth and that all things are to be submissive to Him.  El-Olam, The Everlasting God, is given to declare that God exists outside of time and that there has never been and never will be time where God does not exist in the fullness of His character.  El-Gibhor, The Mighty God, describes God as a powerful and mighty warrior who is able to accomplish all that He desires.  Jehovah-Shammah, The Lord Is There, was a reminder that God is always close to His people.  Jehovah-Jireh, The Lord Will Provide, reminded the Jewish nation that God is One who sustains and gives to His people what they need.  This name reminded them that every good and perfect gift comes from the hand of God, and ultimately pointed to His provision in sending the Messiah to restore and redeem His people.  Yahweh was also known as Father to show His unending love and care for His people.  

    These names, along with many more, were all used to help bring a fuller understanding to name of God, Yahweh, I AM.  When we can being to understand that Gods name, Yahweh, I AM contains all of these beautiful attributes and so many more we should be able to shout, along with King David, “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”  The name of Lord is majestic, containing beauty beyond words and meaning beyond understanding.  The name of God is meant to tell us who He is, in all of His glorious wonder.  The name of God is meant to remind us of how we have already seen God move and work in our lives.  The name of God is meant to push us to call upon Him to act once again in accordance with His glorious character.  Church, may we see and know the majestic name of our God!  

PRAYER OF THE DAY: God, thank you that You are majestic and that Your name tells us how wonderful You are!