Day 21 – His Name
Everything God does grows out of everything He is. That’s why we can trust Him.
Day 21 – His Name
Psalm 23:3 — “…for His name’s sake.”
There is something significant about God’s name. To us, a name is simply a way to identify someone. But in the Bible, a name meant far more than that. A person’s name also represented their character, reputation and authority. To know someone’s name was to know something about who they were.
Throughout the Bible, God reveals Himself by many names. He is YHWH, the eternal “I AM.” He is El Shaddai, God Almighty, Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who provides, Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord who heals. Each name reveals another facet of His character.
When David writes, “for His name,” he is speaking about far more than a title. He is speaking about the very character of God.
Think back through everything we’ve learned in this series.
The Lord is our Shepherd.
He provides.
He gives rest.
He satisfies.
He restores.
He guides.
None of those actions are random acts of kindness. They flow from who He is. He protects because he is a Shepherd. He leads because He is a Leader. He restores because He is a God of mercy. He provides because He is a Faithful Father.
Everything God does grows out of everything He is. That’s why we can trust Him. If His goodness depended on circumstances that change, we would always wonder about tomorrow. But His goodness is rooted in His unchanging character.
Malachi 3:6
“I, the LORD, do not change”
The Shepherd who cared for David still cares for His sheep today. His name has not changed and neither has His heart.
Did you ever get an email from a complete stranger promising you something if you click on the link? You don’t trust it, do you?
Now, why would you feel differently if that promise came from someone you know well and whose name means something to you? Their promise carries weight because of the name of the person who made it.
God’s promises are trustworthy because His name stands behind every promise He makes.
When life becomes uncertain, remind yourself that your confidence is in the Unchanging God. The Shepherd who has cared for His people throughout history is still the same today. Learn His names. Study His character. The better you know who He is, the more confident you will be in where He leads.
