Sticks and Stones

How many of you remember the saying: “Sticks and stones may break my bones; but, names will never hurt me”.  As a kid, we often heard that on the playground.  It was a sort of psychological protective mechanism, all be it false.  Names do hurt!  When you watch a debate or listen to an argument, you can tell whose winning.  The person losing reverts to “name calling”.  In today’s political climate, there are certain names that are tossed around like the playground names.  Racist, socialist, Marxist, neo-con, liberal, moderate, conservative, are just a few.  Regardless of what we would like to think, names mean something.

When we call someone by their first name, it shows a closeness.  If we use both their first name and middle name, it means we are serious and want to get their attention.  Nicknames denote a special relationship with that person, a certain respect or sometimes disrespect.

This was even more true in the past, In scripture, names were very important.  They were used as a reference to a person’s character, their position, their calling.  God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, when He established His covenant with Abram telling him that he would be the father of many nations.  The Old Testament has many such examples; but non more significant than the names God used for himself as a means to reveal His character to us.  If we are to be a people who “know their God”, one of the best places to start is to learn his names. 

The first name used in the Old Testament is found in Genesis 1:1 and here His name is Elohim, a plural noun, suggesting the trinity nature of God.  In Genesis 14:18, He is referred to as “the most high God” or El Elyon, He is God the highest.  He is “the possessor of heaven and earth”.  He has authority of the earthly realm and the heavenly realm.  A few verses later in Genesis 15:2 He is called “Lord God”, Adonai Jehovah.  Adonai means “Master”.   As “Master”, there is the implied principle of obedience and as servant, the right to His direction in service.  God is telling  Abram that He is Abram’s “shield and great reward”.  In Genesis 17:1, God tell Abram that He is “the Almighty God” or El Shaddai.  He is the strengthener and satisfier of His people, the “all-sufficient One”.  Here He is telling Abram that he will be the father of many nations and changes his name to Abraham.   He not only “enriches but makes fruitful”.   He is telling a 99 year old man, “as good as dead”, I am Almighty God, El Shaddai, I will make a covenant, a promise, between you and me, and will multiple you.

Our triune God is: the Highest, the Possessor of heaven and earth, the Authority over heaven and earth, the Master, the All-sufficient One.

Is it any wonder that “the people who know their God” shall do exploits. 

We are servants of the Highest, the Possessor of heaven and earth, the Authority over heaven and earth, the Master, the All-sufficient One!

We take our marching orders from the Highest, the Possessor of heaven and earth, the Authority over heaven and earth, the Master, the All-sufficient One!

We carry on the work of the Highest, the Possessor of heaven and earth, the Authority over heaven and earth, the Master, the All-sufficient One!

We are the body of the Highest, the Possessor of heaven and earth, the Authority over heaven and earth, the Master, the All-sufficient One!

We are the bride of the Highest, the Possessor of heaven and earth, the Authority over heaven and earth, the Master, the All-sufficient One!

We better do exploits!!