God Blesses You With His Name

By Melissa McLaughlin

A New Name

My eyes tear up as I remember that day. It seems like only yesterday we said, “I do.”

I met my husband at church. Our tender friendship grew into a committed relationship and culminated in our marriage a few years later. We celebrated this sacred occasion with a worshipful ceremony and a simple reception at our church. With full hearts, we pledged our love and faithfulness to each other. As we made this promise before God, exchanging wedding rings symbolized our lifelong covenant.

The flurry of dresses, suits, flowers, prayers, laughter, and joy could not match the exuberant love we felt.

On this day, our love for each other was sealed. Surrounded by family and friends, enveloped in their love for us, we felt a transcendent glow.

From this day forward, I took my husband’s last name. Though I still carried a sense of self, I also shared his identity as I received his name.

A Powerful Name

What’s in a name? There is power in a name. A name can evoke memories, feelings, or perceptions. That’s why business owners carefully craft their business names.

However, there is One name above all other names— the name of Jesus (Philippians 2:1-9).

Therefore, God takes His name seriously. One of the Ten Commandments includes honoring His name (Exodus 20:7). Later in Ezekiel 39:25, God states He is jealous for His holy name.

What does it mean to be jealous for His holy name? A second definition of “jealous” is to guard a possession. In this case, God is guarding His name because it is holy.

Likewise, Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer, or Model Prayer, to begin praying by hallowing (honoring) God’s name.

When Moses asked His name, God said, “I Am that I Am,” also referred to as “Yahweh.” God’s name portrays His self-existent, eternal, unchanging nature (Exodus 3:14).

Throughout the Bible, God reveals more about His identity through various names. God’s name and each variation embody His character, His essence, His truth, His actions, and His very being.

God’s name reflects who He is. And He is holy. Therefore, His name is revered.

God Blesses His People with His Name

Given the awe and respect placed upon God’s name, I was struck during a recent reading of this passage in Numbers. Of special note is the verse that follows this Aaronic blessing.

Numbers 6:22-27 – The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ^“Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

“So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”

We all love this Scripture blessing. How many times have I read or listened to these beautiful words for God’s people? Yet, this is the first time I noticed the verse that followed when God gave His name to the people. Although this verse was originally written for the Israelites, as Christians we are adopted into God’s family and enjoy His blessings.

A Shared Name, A Shared Identity

When I think of taking my husband’s name in marriage, I envision being part of each other’s lives, love, home, decisions, commitment, and identity.

Imagine God allowing us to share in His name. When I consider this, I am undone.

By taking His name, He allows us to share in His eternal life, love, home, kingdom plans, commitment, and essence. For as Christians, we are born again of His Spirit (John 3:3-16).

The Blessing of God’s Name

I love to visualize God blessing me and keeping me, letting His face shine upon me, and giving me peace. However, to be blessed by carrying God’s name, means I am sharing in His identity. That is a mysterious and marvelous blessing beyond my comprehension.

So, all I can do is pause and let that profound truth sink in.

Will you pause with me here?

Do you carry God’s name? He longs to share it with all who will believe and receive.

O Christian, be blessed today, by the enormity of His love and the honor of bearing His name.

God Blesses You With His Name

Psalm 23:1-3 – The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Acts 4:12 – And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

John 1:12 – But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

Acts 15:12-14 – And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.

Revelation 19:16 – On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Revelation 21:2-3 – Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.

Matthew 1:21 – “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

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The Power of a Name – By Melissa McLaughlin

How God Blesses Us With Dew – By Melissa McLaughlin

Unexpected Blessings – By Melissa McLaughlin

Can I Really Know God? By Melissa McLaughlin