God.
In the world, we toss “god” around in our conversations as commonly as “the” or “and”—or even “love.” It’s spoken as an expletive or regarding some all-inclusive higher power that can mean something different to you and me and the person down the street.
As a believer of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, I might be tempted to think better of myself because I don’t use His name as the world does, but I have to wonder—when I speak God’s name, do I speak it with an understanding of the full meaning, power and authority behind it?
If I’m honest, I’d have to say no.
Just like when I’ve felt more loved and appreciated for what I do rather than who I am, I’ve loved and appreciated God for what He’s done for me—abundantly more than I deserve—but to worship, praise, bless, and thank Him for who He is, everything I said fell short, like I was bankrupt for words.
I believe with all my heart that God is worthy of my praise, so I couldn’t understand my struggle. When I asked God, this is how He answered:
“Some boast in chariots and some in horses; but we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.” (Psalm 20:7)
I was struggling to boast in or exult God’s name because I didn’t have confidence in or trust in His name. My spirit protests writing those words because they're incomplete. Let me try to explain further.
How do we come to trust and have confidence in people? Isn’t it that over time we discover through the revealing of their character, attributes, and nature that they are a trustworthy person? Undoubtedly, God had proven Himself faithful and true to me time and time again, but my confidence came from His actions more than His nature.
I was ignorant to the significance of boasting in God’s name—His many names—and what their meanings reveal about Him.
To know God’s name is to know Him—not know about Him, but really know Him.
He says, “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
God wants nothing more than to reveal Himself to us, and as I speak God’s Hebrew names and study their meanings, I’m finding there’s a limitless treasure to boast in. I’m no longer trying to force the praise my God is worthy of receiving; now my praise flows from my heart freely and without end.
I’m doing a video series on Facebook with this Kay Arthur study, Lord, I Want to Know You.
If you're on Facebook, I hope you’ll join me on my page (Amy Lynn Taylor) for the next sixteen-plus Fridays at 8am MT as we focus on the names of God. I’m thanking God in advance for the transforming work He will do in our hearts and lives.
*If you're not on Facebook, I'm hoping to discover a solution for posting the videos to my blog so you can receive them directly to your inbox.