The name of God is mentioned throughout the Bible in various ways, and each reference provides us with insight into who He is. When we understand God’s name, we can gain a deeper appreciation for who He is and how He works in our lives. Here are six powerful statements that will help provide a glimpse into the character of God through His name.
His name is Good.
The first statement in our list is that God’s name is good. This is a powerful and comforting truth that we can hold onto, especially during difficult times. Psalm 52:9 reminds us to praise God in all circumstances and “to hope in His name, for it is good.”
It’s important to note that the goodness of God’s name is not contingent on our circumstances. In other words, even when things are going wrong, we can still trust that God’s name is good and that He is working things out for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28).
But what does it mean for God’s name to be good? Well, in the Bible, a person’s name often represented their character or reputation. For example, when we think of Abraham, we might think of his faithfulness to God. When we think of David, we might think of his courage in the face of Goliath. So when we say that God’s name is good, we’re saying that His character is good.
But what exactly does it mean for God’s character to be good? First of all, it means that He is morally perfect. There is no darkness in Him (1 John 1:5) and He cannot do anything wrong (James 1:13). Also, God’s goodness is often associated with His love and mercy towards His people. In fact, Psalm 106:1 says “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”
So when we say that God’s name is good, we’re saying that He is morally perfect and that He loves His people. This is a truth that we can cling to no matter what we’re going through. Even when bad things happen, we can trust that God’s goodness will ultimately prevail.
His name is Great.
In 2 Samuel 7:25-26, David praises God and asks that His promise to establish David’s house be fulfilled so that God’s name will be great forever. This statement recognizes the power and majesty of God’s name, and acknowledges that there is no greater name than the name of God.
The greatness of God’s name is also reflected in the Bible in other verses such as Psalm 99:3, which says, “Let them praise your great and awesome name— he is holy.” This verse further emphasizes the holiness of God’s name and encourages us to praise it.
When we recognize the greatness of God’s name, we acknowledge that there is no one else like Him. It is a reminder that God is above all things, and that we can trust in His sovereignty and power. As believers, we should honor and exalt His name as the greatest name there is. We can do this through worship, prayer, and living a life that reflects His greatness.
His name is Glorious.
The word “glory” in the context of Psalm 115:1 means to give honor and praise to God. The psalmist recognizes that it is not about his own accomplishments or abilities, but rather, it is all about God’s glory. This is a crucial reminder for us, who often strive for recognition and accolades for our achievements.
In Isaiah 42:8, God declares, “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.” This statement emphasizes the exclusivity and importance of God’s name, and His desire for His glory to be recognized and given to Him alone.
We must resist the temptation to take credit for what God has done in our lives. Instead, we should always give glory to God and acknowledge His goodness and sovereignty. When we give glory to God, we align ourselves with His will and purposes, and we also cultivate a spirit of humility, gratitude, and dependence on Him.
The word “glory” encompasses all of God’s attributes and His desire for His name to be honored and recognized. We should always seek to give glory to God and resist the temptation to take credit for what He has done in our lives.
His name is Majestic.
Psalm 8:1 proclaims, “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” This verse affirms the excellence, greatness, and glory of God’s name. The name of God stands for all that He is – His power, His holiness, His love, His wisdom, His justice, and His mercy. It is a name that is excellent and famous throughout the earth, and there is no one else like Him.
The Bible is filled with verses that describe the majesty of God. In Exodus 15:11, Moses sings, “Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you–majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” The psalmist continues to describe the majesty of God in Psalm 145:5, “I will meditate on the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works.”
The majesty of God’s name is also seen in His creation. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” The beauty and vastness of the universe testify to the greatness of the One who created it all.
As we contemplate the majesty of God’s name, we are filled with awe and wonder. We realize that we are not the center of the universe, but that God is. We also realize that in His great mercy, He has invited us into a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. We can approach Him with confidence because of His majesty, but also because of His love and grace.
In our daily lives, we can reflect the majesty of God by living in obedience to His will and by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others. As we do so, we join with the psalmist in declaring, “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”
His name is Holy.
This is one of the most fundamental aspects of who God is. Jesus Christ Himself taught his disciples to pray by beginning with the words, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (Matthew 6:9). The word “hallowed” means “holy” or “set apart,” indicating that God’s name is sacred and must be treated with reverence.
God’s holiness is not just one of His many attributes; it is the very essence of His being. It is what sets Him apart from all others and makes Him worthy of worship. The holiness of God means that He is perfectly pure, sinless, and righteous. It also means that He cannot tolerate sin or evil.
When Moses asked to see God’s glory in Exodus 33, God replied that no one could see His face and live, but that He would place Moses in the cleft of a rock and cover him with His hand as He passed by. After God had passed, Moses was able to catch a glimpse of His back. This encounter revealed to Moses the holiness and majesty of God, and he was left in awe.
The holiness of God is also revealed through the sacrificial system in the Old Testament. Animal sacrifices were required to atone for the sins of the people, and the high priest was only allowed to enter the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle once a year to offer sacrifices on behalf of the people. This system was a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus would make on the cross, making a way for people to approach God in all His holiness.
To recognize the holiness of God’s name is to acknowledge that He is perfect and pure, and that our sinfulness is in stark contrast to His holiness. Yet, through the sacrifice of Jesus, we can approach Him with confidence and receive forgiveness and grace. As we come to know God more fully, we will naturally have a greater appreciation for His holiness and will seek to honor and glorify Him in all that we do.
His name is Near.
The idea that God is both transcendent and immanent is a crucial aspect of the Christian faith. The Bible teaches that God is holy and above all things, yet He is also close to us and desires a personal relationship with us.
In Psalm 75:1, the psalmist praises God for His nearness, declaring that His name is near and that people tell of His wonderful deeds. This idea is echoed throughout the Bible, from the creation story in Genesis to the final vision of the new Jerusalem in Revelation.
God’s nearness is evident in His interactions with mankind throughout the Bible. He speaks to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, He leads the Israelites out of Egypt and He sends His Son Jesus to dwell among us and provide us Salvation.
Likewise, God’s nearness is not limited to historical accounts in the Bible. As Christians, we believe that God continues to be present and active in our lives today. The Holy Spirit, who is God’s presence with us, guides us, comforts us, and empowers us to live a life that honors God.
This truth should give us great comfort and hope, especially during difficult times. Knowing that God is both powerful and personal reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles. We can take comfort in the fact that God is always with us, and we can trust that He will never leave us or forsake us.
In Christ,
Let this be your Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
I praise You for Your name, which is good, great, glorious, majestic, holy, and near. You are the Almighty God, and I worship you with all of my heart.
As I meditate and reflect upon your name and your character, may I be reminded of your unfailing love, grace, and mercy. May I seek to honor your name in all that I do and say, knowing that you are always with me.
I pray for those who may not yet know you and your goodness. May they come to know your name and your love, and may they experience your saving grace.
Thank you for being a God who is both powerful and personal, and thank you for drawing near to me so that I can know you better.
In Jesus’ name, I pray,
Amen.
Discussion Questions:
- How does the concept of God’s name being “good” impact your perception of Him in times of difficulty?
- In what ways does recognizing the greatness of God’s name change the way we live our lives?
- How can we give glory to God’s name in our everyday actions and attitudes?
- How does acknowledging the majesty of God’s name affect our understanding of His power and incomparability?
- Why is it important to recognize the holiness of God’s name and set it apart from other things in our lives?
- How can we deepen our personal relationship with God by recognizing His nearness to us?
