Today all three of the Afternoon Drive co-hosts were in the studio to talk about “The Wonder of God’s Names” from the book “The Battle Plan for Prayer” by the Kendrick Brothers. IF you want to find out more about the book click HERE.
We also gave you a a little teaser about tomorrow – which is the last First Friday of the 2017 season! WNZR is going to be there with Dogtoberfest! Click HERE if you want to know more!
“Oh may your glorious name be blessed and exalted above all blessing and praise!” Nehemiah 9:5.
Let’s imagine someone named Dr. John Smith. He is called different names at different times. His father calls him son, his wife calls him sweetheart, his patients call him doc, and his friend at church: brother Jack. At the hospital he’s the doctor with the best bedside manner, and at the local restaurants, he is that happy Christian who leaves good tips. John is not multiple people. He is one man with multiple roles and character traits. Each of John’s names or titles reveals a little bit more about who he is, what he does, and how he relates to others.
In like manner, the Bible reveals that our one God has many names. When we pray to Him, we may come to Him for a wide variety of reasons. Because he is eternal and limitless, and many titles and descriptions used of him in the Bible are vast and astounding. But that’s the point. Each name of God helps us to understand, value, and worship him even more.
Unlike the Egyptians and Greeks, who prayed to different mythical gods depending upon their need, we worship one God who alone is living and limitless, maker and master, holy and most high, Savior and sovereign of all, and everything we need in all circumstances.
As we discover and get familiar with different names of God, we not only better recognize God for who he is, we can relate to him more personally and intimately.
God’s names reflect his invisible attributes, his eternal power, and divine nature. What an honor to discover more about God! His names are priceless to him, a privilege for us to know, and powerful for us to pray. We are constantly referring to God’s names in our prayer interactions with him.
God wants us to know his names so we can know him better. They are another way we worship and praise him – by recalling a name for him that specifically reflects an attribute we want to honor or call upon to help address a specific need.
That’s why we must never take any of God‘s name in vain or use them flippantly. Rather, we praise and worship him and his name will honoring his attributes, power, and position.
When we call upon Jesus Christ as our Lord, the other names of God take on infinitely more value to us. Jesus then becomes our savior, King, and high priest. God the father becomes our heavenly father and Almighty God. The Holy Spirit becomes our helper and counselor. When we pray to God, we too can address them according to who he is and what he’s done, and lean on our understanding of his unending power and glory. Jesus modeled for us how to pray based upon his unique identity in the situation, like when he said, “the harvest is abundant but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out the workers into his harvest. “ Matthew 9:37-38
He also has more formal names. in our time of need, God is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord our provider. When we struggle with sickness, He is Jehovah Rapha – the lord our healer. When we need comfort, he’s Jehovah Raah – the lord our shepherd. When we are fearful or stressed, He is Jehovah Shalom – the Lord our peace. And when we need to be forgiven and cleansed, He is Jehovah Tsidkenu – the Lord, our righteousness.
The point is to seek him, worship him, and pray to him for who he is.
So as you pray strategically, remember to call out to your God by his names as you learn them. He loves to hear his children acknowledge him for all he does and all he can do. And doesn’t he deserve it? After all, he is God, our salvation. (Psalm 148:13)
PRAYER: Lord, your name is great, just as you are great. And while you are one God – creator of all, without rival – I praise you that you are more than I realized and everything I need. Thank you for allowing us to call on you at all times, in all circumstances, and for promising to be our all in all had every moment. I worship you today, Lord God, my Savior, my sustainer, my friend, my reason for living. Amen.
Today’s Word of the Day was:
vituperate (vye-TOO-puh-rayt), a verb meaning:
1 : to criticize or censure severely or abusively
2 : to use harsh condemnatory language
Thanks for listening!
– Joe, Hannah and Lilly
