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

Psalm 23

Continuing with a couple of thoughts from Psalm 23:

This Psalm begins and ends with the words, “the Lord” (v. 1, 6). The psalmist does this in order to make an emphatic statement as to the main subject of the psalm - the first, last and central subject is the Lord.

The Lord here 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 here 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 this psalm - God's promises to us, are written into His name. 8 covenant promises are found right here in His powerful redemptive names:

1.  The compound name Jehovah-Rohi means the Lord is my Shepherd (Psalm 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 JehovahTsidkenu means the Lord our Righteousness (Jer. 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.”

More from Psalm 23: HERE

More on the names of God: HERE 

The Sacrifice Of Praise - 8 Things

Hebrews 13:15 gives us 8 key statements on the sacrifice of Praise. This is the only time in the New testament that the Greek word for "praise" (ainesis) is used - this is a very special verse:

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God,

That is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name

Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV)

Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times

offer up to God a sacrifice of praise,

which is the fruit of lips that thankfully

acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.

Hebrews 13:15 (Amplified)

1. Our praises begin in the Lord.

2. Our praises need to come from us at all times - continually. There is nothing worthy of stopping the flow of praise in our lives.

3. Our praises must be directed towards God. There is nothing else in heaven or earth more worthy of praise than Him.

4. Our praises are an expression of our sacrifice - it is easy to praise the Lord when everything is going well in our lives. Sometimes, however, it is hard work to minister love and gratitude to Him. By definition, a sacrifice requires death. In our case there is a dying to self that must accompany our praises. Always remember - for most sacrifices in the Old Testament, the lamb was required to die for the shepherd. However, our Shepherd became a lamb and died for the sheep. This makes our death to self an act of imitation... all-the-while we must know that the power and sting of death has been broken.

5. Our praises must come from our lips. Some people insist that they praise God silently and don't need to sing or praise God out loud. Not according to this verse! It is very possible to use all of our being to minister praise to the Lord...in this passage, however, we are called upon to use our lips. It is good to do so. Sing, shout, whisper, pray, praise!

6. Our praises are like fruit - there is a definite purpose in praise: like fruit praise nourishes others; like fruit, praise will grow; like fruit, praise is capable of reproducing itself. Notice that this fruit is not a result of anything we do - rather it is a result of growth in our lives. If you are not growing and maturing, you will have little to offer to the Lord in praise. Only living things can produce fruit.

7. Our praises involve giving thanks and glory to God. If you have trouble knowing what to say to the Lord - just begin here. Thanksgiving will move you closer to Him - then you will see His glory and become enthralled!

8. Our praises will be filled and preoccupied with His name. His name is not like any other name. His character and deeds are found in His name. Speak His name today and meditate on who He is and what He has done. Maybe you can begin here:

Gen. 17:1-2 He is Jehovah-El Sahddai - our Eternal Supplier

Gen. 22:14 He is Jehovah-Jireh - our Eternal Provider

Ex. 15:22-26 He is Jehovah-Rapha - our Eternal Healer

Ex. 17:15-16 He is Jehovah-Nissi - our Eternal Banner of victory

Ex, 31:13 He is Jehovah-M'Kadesh - our Eternal Sanctifier

Jud. 6:23-24 He is Jehovah-Shalom - our eternal Peace

Jer. 23:5-6 He is Jehovah-Tsidkenu - our Eternal Righteousness

Ps. 23 He is Jehovah Rohi - our Eternal Shepherd

Ez. 48:35 He is Jehovah Shammah - our Eternal God who is there and present with us

David's Mighty Men

When David was in trouble at Ziklag, (SEE HERE) a mighty army of rag-hag warriors came and joined themselves with him. These were the men who came to David while he was banished from the presence of Saul - they were among the loyal and valiant warriors who helped him in battle, and who served him as he rose up to be King over all Israel.  

Biblical names were very important. Some names describe expressions of hopes, revelations of divine purposes, and prophecies of the future. Others were part of genealogical histories, as it was common in Jewish customs to keep a family history. Sometimes names indicated certain circumstances with their birth or family line, character traits, distinctive attributes or a significant event in their life. Names might also point to occupations, or to a symbolic or a prophetic feature of a particular family.

In 1 Chronicles 12 we see a list of David’s Mighty Men - these were the warriors who overcame great armies, defeated superior numbers, remained loyal in the midst of extremely difficult circumstances and were greatly skilled in combat.

There are important lessons here for each of us who are involved in spiritual warfare, worship and intercession. Just their names, alone, can give us an indication of character traits and prophetic vision that we need to cling to for our lives and ministries – even though we may have come from great trials and tragedies, the Lord has something to say about our destiny and purpose in His Kingdom.

There were three classes of these men who came to serve David

1. There were those who came in Distress. The were persecuted by Saul

2. There were those who were in Debt and about to be sold into slavery.

3. There were those who were discontented and unhappy with what life had to offer. Life had not been good to them.

All of us is in the same boat. We are in distress, in a hopeless life, and with a debt we cannot pay, yet the Lord has called us to do great things alongside Him in His kingdom.

Here is a list of these men, and an indication of the meaning of their name:

Ahiezer - brother of help, helper (their chief)

Joash - Jehovah-fired, He who burns, on fire

Jeziel - sprinkled of God; strength, assembly of God, powerful. mighty

Pelet - to deliver or escape, deliverer

Beracah - liberal blessing, bows the knee

Jehu - Jehovah is he

Ishmaiah - the Lord will hear, hearing and obeying the Lord

Jeremiah - the Lord will rise, exalt the Lord, appointed by God

Jahaziel - behold God, seer, visions of God, to understand or perceive

Johanan - Jehovah-favored, God gives, God is gracious, merciful

Jozabad - Jehovah-gives, gift

Eluzai - God will deliver or save, God is my strength

Jerimoth - to be active or to rise up, heights, to be high

Bealiah - the Lord is master or husband, God is Lord

Shemariah - The Lord has guarded, kept and protected

Shephatiah - the Lord has judged/vindicated

Elkanah - God has obtained or taken possession, the zeal of God

Isshiah - The Lord will lend, God forgets

Azarel - God has helped/protected

Joezer - Jehovah is his helper

Jashobeam - people return/nations will be restored, restoration of backsliding

Joelah - can do good/valuable, lifting up, taking away slander

Zebadiah - the Lord has given/endure, Gift from God

From Gad:

Ezer - help, to lay up treasure

Obadiah - servant of the Lord

Eliab - God is my father

Mishmannah - shine, fat, provision

Jeremiah - the Lord will rise, exalt the Lord, God raises up, appointed by God

Attai - my hour or time, timely, fit

Eliel - mighty like an oak, God is my strength, God is my God

Johanan - Jehovah-favored, God gives, God is gracious, merciful

Elzabad - God has bestowed, Gift of God

Jeremiah - the Lord will rise, exalt the Lord, God raises up, appointed by God

Machbannai - a hill or place in Palestine, to wrap around

The Names of God

The Lord looks for every way possible to show Himself to us. He calls Himself by all of these names – they are so expressive of who He is, and how He shows Himself to us. These are not all the names of God – but they are a great selection from Genesis to Revelation:

The God Almighty Gen 1:1; 17:1; 35:11    

The Provider Gen. 22:13-14

The Jehovah (Yahweh) Ex 6:3                        

The Warrior Ex. 15:3

The Healer/Restorer Ex. 15:22–26

The Banner Ex. 17:8–16              

The Rock/Fortress/Deliverer 2 Sam. 22:2   

The King Ps. 10:16; Rev. 19:16

The Shepherd Ps. 23; Jn. 10:11                  

The Light/Salvation Ps. 27:1

The Defender  Ps. 94:22 

The Wisdom of God  Prov. 8                            

The Strong Tower Prov. 18:10

The Bridegroom Song of Sol.                    

The Rose of Sharon Song of Sol. 2:1

The Counselor Is. 9:6                 

The Mighty God Is. 9:6

The Everlasting Father Is. 9:6

The Prince of Peace Is. 9:6                               

The Judge/Lawgiver Is. 33:22; 1Sam 2:10   

The Refuge Is. 25:4 

The Water Is. 44:3; Jn. 7:37-39                                   

The Redeemer Is. 59:20

The Faithful God Lam. 3:22-23                             

The God who is there Ez. 48:35

The Desire of Nations Hag. 2:7                     

The Refiner Mal. 3:3

The Dayspring Lu. 1:78                                   

The Word Jn. 1:1

The Lamb of God Jn. 1:29, 36                                        

The Dove Jn. 1:32

The Bread Jn. 6:35                                      

The Light of the World Jn. 8:12

The Door Jn. 10:7-9                    

The Resurrection Jn. 11:25

The Way Jn. 14:6 

The Vine Jn. 15:1                        

The Comforter Jn. 14:26; 2Cor. 1:3              

The Wind Acts 2:1-2

The Cornerstone Eph. 2:20                                   

The Fire Heb. 12:29

The Truth 3Jn. 1:4, 8                                    

The Alpha and Omega Rev. 1:8                   

The Lion of the tribe of Judah Rev. 5:5

The Lord of Lords Rev. 19:16         

The Morning Star Rev. 22:16

Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name;

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

Ps. 29:2

Oh, magnify the Lord with me,

And let us exalt His name together.

Ps. 34:3

To see His "Jehovah" names go: HERE