God’s Real Name

by Sandra Allen Lovelace @SandraALovelace #WallflowerWomen

Have you noticed God uses various forms of address when He speaks? I have, and I’ll underline a few.

I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” Exodus 20:2*

I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I will also hold you by the hand and watch over you.” Isaiah 42:6

But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.” Isaiah 43:1-3

“Therefore My people shall know My name; therefore in that day I am the one who is speaking, ‘Here I am.’” Isaiah 52:6

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12

Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.” John 10:7

[Jesus] “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9

[Jesus] “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 10:11

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies”. John 11:25

Jesus said to him. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” John 14:6

I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8

Then He said to me. “It is done. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.” Revelation 21:6

Are you startled by the variety? Perhaps you read your favorite view of God here … or one you hadn’t noticed before. Ultimately these titles and descriptions flesh out the name God calls Himself.

   Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you’, and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?’”
   God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14

I AM is the present tense of the verb to be, to exist. As His name, it reveals much about God—ever-existent, ever-present, stable, secure, capable, trustworthy, knowable, …

What does the name I AM express to you?
Thank you for sharing your ideas in Comments.

Still joyfully triumphant,

Sandra

 

*NASB, unless otherwise noted

6 comments

  1. Thanks so much for this reminder! I love how God uses tangible objects like “door” and visual images like “shepherd” to help us understand who He is.

  2. I love how you’ve reminded us of the many names of God/Jesus–it emphasizes His greatness. My favorite is “Light.” The imagery of Jesus bringing light to a dark world is so comforting. Wishing you an awesome 2018!

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