God’s Presence is Linked to His Name

God's presence is manifested in His name - wherever His name is, His presence is there also!

2Chron. 20:9 ‘If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.’

His name is unlike any other name. His character and covenant promises are found in His name. He is:

Jehovah—the covenant name of special revelation—Ex. 6:3

The translation, “Lord” in this passage, is Yahweh (English Jehovah). The name Yahweh was first disclosed to Moses in Exodus 3 and is used more than 4,000 times in the Old Testament. The name literally means “I am who I am.” It is an inexhaustible name, like its bearer. It points to God’s timelessness on the one hand and His self-sufficiency on the other (James Montgomery Boice Psalms Vol.1, pp. 207).

God is self existent and he needs nothing. He needs no wisdom because He is all-wise; He needs no power because He is all-powerful; He needs nothing. John Phillips, quoting Thomas Newberry says that the name Jehovah combines three tenses of the Hebrew verb “to be” (Exploring the Psalms Vol. 1, pp. 175).

· Yehi – he will be (future)

· Hove – being (present)

· Hahyah – he was (the past)

The Lord is Yeh – ov – ah – Jehovah. He is the God who is, who was, and who is to be.

There are several names for God in the Old Testament that David could have used in Psalm 23, but did not for very good reasons. Notice what the text does and does not say.

· It does not say, “God (Elohim) is my shepherd,” for that speaks of Him as the great and mighty Creator who is separate from the world.

· Neither does it say, “The Master (Adonai) is my shepherd.” That speaks of a servant slave relationship.

· Rather, it says “The Lord (Jehovah) is my shepherd.” Jehovah is a term of personal relationship, which implies that you can get close to Him.

The use of the name Yahweh is important for another reason. It points to His role as the covenant-making God of Israel. Look at the aspects of God's character that are found in Psalm 23 - God's promises to us, are written into His name. 8 covenant promises are found right here in His powerful redemptive names. Psalm 23:

1. The compound name Jehovah-Rohi means the Lord is my Shepherd (Ps 23:1)

2. The compound name Jehovah-Jireh means the Lord will provide (Gen. 22:14) – “I shall not want.”

3. The compound name Jehovah-Shalom means the Lord our peace (Judges 6:24) – “He leads me beside still waters.”

4. The compound name Jehovah-Rophe means the Lord who heals (Exod. 15:26) – “He restores my soul.”

5. The compound name Jehovah-Tsidkenu means the Lord our Righteousness (Jer. 23:6; 33:16) – “the paths of righteousness.”

6. The compound name Jehovah-Shammah means the Lord is there (Ezek. 48:35) –“You are with me.”

7. The compound name Jehovah-Nissi means the Lord our banner (Exod. 17:15) –“before me in the presence of my enemies.”

8. The compound name Jehovah-M’Kaddesh means the Lord who sanctifies (Lev. 20:8) –“You anoint my head with oil.”

What a faithful God! Time and time again we come into His presence in great need. We only need to stand in His presence and call upon Him for help. There is no trouble too great; no enemy to strong; no distance too far; no danger too much for our God. Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear—Is 59:1

While our primary reason for drawing near to God’s presence is not to seek assistance in times of trouble, yet He is our faithful Father, and He expects us to run to Him first whenever we have need of anything. Every need we have can be met in His name and His presence:

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need—Heb 4:16

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus—Phil 4:19

More on the names of God: HERE