17. The Ultimate Foundation

Click here for more on this topic and other free resources - https://www.drjimrichards.com God is not hiding from you—He longs to be known and trusted. After all, how can we have a genuine relationship with someone we don’t truly know? Even more essential is the faith factor. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). But how can we trust someone we don’t understand? The question so many ask is this: How can I come to know Him? The answer begins with the very first commandment that says, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7). This isn't just about using His name irreverently—it’s about misunderstanding or misrepresenting who He truly is. Every name of God reveals an aspect of His character and a promise He has made to you. His names aren’t just titles—they are truths backed by His integrity. When you know His names, you’ll begin to understand His heart. And when you understand His heart, trust comes naturally. For example, when we call Him Jehovah Shalom, the Lord our Peace, we dishonor that name if we then accuse Him of bringing chaos into our lives. That is taking His name in vain. When we know Him as Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals, yet blame Him for our sickness, we are rejecting the very identity He has revealed to us. Most of us hold onto vain notions of God’s character and nature. Therefore, we don’t know Him as He is; we know a concept of Him that is man-made! We have accepted how religious tradition characterizes God, rather than knowing and trusting how He describes Himself. Join me this week as we discover The Ultimate Foundation—a journey that will open your heart to see God as He truly is. When you see God clearly: Your struggle with faith fades, Your confidence in Him soars, and His voice becomes unmistakable in your heart. God’s promises are inseparably linked to His names. When you know and trust those names, you will walk with unshakable confidence in every promise He has made.