What’s In a Name?

What’s in a name? Queen Elizabeth II, monarch of the UK, is widely popular and well-known around the whole world. She holds many titles of honor in the countries where she spreads her influence. But her full royal title, which speaks of her authority and power reads like this:

“Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.”

Have you ever thought about the names of God? The Bible is filled with beautiful and intriguing names that describe God and His character. But have you wondered by what name God actually calls Himself? Exodus 34:6-7 gives the full royal title of God as spoken to Moses:

“And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”

And how did Moses respond when he heard the full name of God? “So Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped.”
What a magnificent name! This one long name speaks volumes about who God is. It proclaims the authority and power of His sovereign rule over the whole universe. This is a name you can confide in. This is a name that has you as the central focus of His mind. This name is more than a title of honor; it is a fortress that you can run to in time of need, a solid rock on which you can stand, a source that you can call upon in your distress. Call on Him! Speak His name! It carries all the glory and majesty of Heaven above and Earth below. And all His resources are made available to you through the mention of His holy and matchless name.
As you bless the name of the Lord, may you be filled with the wonder of God’s mercy and gracious longsuffering today. May His goodness and truth abound in your life every day.