Honoring God’s Name

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” — Exodus 3:14 In the third commandment, God teaches his people to revere his holy name, warning that they may not treat his name lightly. Over time, the Israelites took this command so seriously that they refrained from even saying God’s name aloud.As a result, whenever we read the name “LORD” in our English Bibles today, we are reading what the people of Israel said—Adonai, meaning “Lord” —in place of the name that God revealed to Moses: Yahweh, or “I AM WHO I AM.” The word “Lord” (Adonai) fittingly indicates “power,” “authority,” “influence,” and other important attributes of reverence for God’s name, showing respect for God’s ultimate place and authority over the whole universe.Today, many Christians boldly say aloud God’s name “Jehovah” (a rendition of Yahweh) because the opposite of taking God’s name lightly is to take it too seriously, as ancient Israel did. We need to acknowledge and confess God’s greatness and almighty power by properly expressing and honoring his name. Even better, we may respectfully and devotedly call God “Father,” as Jesus taught by his own example. Calling God “Father” not only acknowledges the Lord’s power and authority but also reveals God’s tender, loving care for us. We are God’s children, reconciled to him and adopted through the work of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.  Father, thank you for making us your children through Jesus, your Son. Help us to live each day in devotion to you and with love for others. Amen.