Focus: The Precious Name Of God (Pt.1)

Text: Ps.83:18

"That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth."

The name of the Lord is a wonder, and it works wonders. In Isaiah 9:6, Christ is given the name "Wonderful." The blood of Christ saves us, the word of God sanctifies us, the Spirit of God strengthens us, and the name of the Lord secures us. His name is sweet and savory. His name is powerful and precious, indeed priceless.

The name of God speaks of His nature, identity, character and reputation. God's name is heavy and heavenly. God's name is full of eternal significance. It is not in any way associated with vanity. Moses says to Israel, "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in VAIN: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in VAIN" (Dt.5:11).

Our text says that JEHOVAH is God's name alone. That means that He shares it with no one. He doesn't have it in common with anyone. 

Jehovah is His personal, unique and exclusive name. He is the most high over all the earth.

In the Song of Solomon we read, "Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee" (Song of Sol.1:3). His name is full of fragrance.

Let us see a few descriptions of God's name. The psalmist says, "O LORD our Lord, how EXCELLENT is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens" (Ps.8:1). God's name is excellent. He says, "We have trusted in his HOLY name" (Ps.32:21). God's name is holy - unique and different. He says, "Let them praise thy GREAT and TERRIBLE name; for it is holy" (Ps.99:3). God's name is great and terrible. 

The psalmist says that "his name is GREAT in Israel" (Ps.76:1). He says, "I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is GOOD" (Ps.54:6). God's name is good, and indeed the best name in the universe. He says, "His name shall ENDURE for ever: his name shall be CONTINUED as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed" (Ps.72:17). He says, "Thy name, O LORD, ENDURETH FOR EVER; and thy MEMORIAL, O LORD, throughout all generations" (Ps.135:14). God's name is an enduring name. His names shall last forever. It is eternally durable. 

He says, "And blessed be his GLORIOUS name for ever" (Ps.72:19). God's name is glorious. It is weighty and heavy. He says, "thy name is NEAR thy wondrous works declare… Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence" (Ps.75:1; 140:13). Here, we understand something of the nearness of God's name and the connection between it and His wonderful works. We also see that God's name is connected with His presence. 

God's name is present in all the earth. Wherever His name is called God is willing and ready to step into action.

He says, "Sing praises unto his name; for it is PLEASANT" (Ps.135:3). God's name is pleasant - a name so sweet! The psalmist also describes God's name as "holy and reverend" (Ps.111:9). What a name!

We move from how God's name is described to how we deal with His name. We "BLESS his holy name" (Ps.103:1). We give THANKS to His name. We "sing praise to the name of the LORD most high" (Ps.7:17). The psalmist says, "Let all those that put their TRUST in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that LOVE thy name be joyful in thee" (Ps.5:11). We love and trust in God's name, and we rejoice in His name. 

God's name is a trustworthy name. It's a name to love and a name that causes joy to well up in us. The psalmist says, "And they that KNOW thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee" (Ps.9:10). We know and trust in the name of the Lord. He says, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will REMEMBER the name of the LORD our God" (Ps.20:7). The name of our God is unforgettable. God has planted in us the memory of His name through His wonderful works and matchless grace. The psalmist says, "I will make thy name to be REMEMBERED in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever" (Ps.45:17). What a sacred and serious commission! The psalmist consecrates and commits himself to making known to others the name of the Lord - the name by which his whole life has been made. He says, "I will DECLARE thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee" (Ps.22:22). We declare God's name and let others know the name that is working miracles in our lives. We evangelize the name of the Lord our God. There is no reason to hide His name, a name that is working for us.

The name of God is precious; it secures us. It is a name worth knowing and worth making known to others. It is the highest name in the universe.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter