- araratchurch
- Jul 28
- 3 min read
“I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”
Psalms 9:2 NKJV
Basically, any one person in a crowd is just part of that crowd, until, and unless, you know that person’s name. Something about knowing a person’s name sets them out as a direct point of reference. To explain, given the crowd example, we might now say something like, “I see Jane Anyperson over there in that crowd.”
Further, think of the difference between saying something like, “A man, 6 feet tall with a light complexion and blue eyes, came in and robbed the bank,” and “Mike Anyperson, came and robbed the bank.” In the first instance, you’re describing some unknown perpetrator; in the second instance you are referencing a particular person: Mike Anyperson. And he robbed a bank!
Personhood is inextricably connected to the name by which you are known. With the mention of the name of a person you know well, all of their attributes, all of their character, all of your experiences with them, comes to mind in a moment of time.
Of course, all of the details about this person are not brought to the forefront of your mind like a “list.” Rather, they are the context within which we can attest knowing this person. As well, it is the context which will inform any future interactions with that person.
Additionally, think of the fact that some names have become so associated with a set of behaviors that the name is now used as a descriptor. For example, when we hear a person referenced as being a “Benedict Arnold,” we immediately know that means they are a betrayer. On the other hand, hearing someone described as a “Mother Theresa,” informs that the person does good deeds for the underserved.
Moses had been chosen by God to deliver His people out of Egypt. The Lord explained to him that although the patriarchs knew Him as the Almighty God, they did not know Him as THE LORD (YAHWEH), the One Who would fulfill Covenant with them. He is saying that He is now extending Himself in a more personal way by bringing to pass that which had been promised.
“And God said to Moses, I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty [El-Shaddai], but by My name the Lord [Yahweh–the redemptive name of God] I did not make Myself known to them [in acts and great miracles].”
Exodus 6:2-3 AMPC
We have previously talked many times about the wonderful fact that the Lord knows our individual names. Let us now consider how wonderful it is that He allows us to know His personal name: THE LORD. Everything He is, is in His Name; and His Name is Everything.
My words fail to describe and convey what I feel about the Name of the Lord. I can do nothing but praise His Name!
In today’s portion from David’s psalms, we see that David also was provoked to praise the Name of the Lord, just at the very thought or mention of His Name!
In another place, David says this:
“Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name Yah, And rejoice before Him.”
Psalms 68:4 NKJV
For the one who loves the Lord, for the one who has known Him by experience, the mere mention of the Name of the Lord provokes the deepest response of admiration. For those who are unmoved by His name, I can only say that they must not really know Him.
For today let us know and understand what David knew:
The Name of the Lord is worthy to be praised!
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Jul 28
- 4 min read
100 “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.”
Psalms 9:1 NKJV
“Torn Between Two Lovers,” was a song that hit the top of the charts in 1977. The basic premise of the song is that a woman is explaining to one lover (her first lover), why she has taken on another lover. She doesn’t want to lose lover number one, but is unwilling to give up lover number two. Here are the lyrics to one verse and the chorus of this song:
“Let me hold you close, and say these words as gently as I can, there's been another man that I've needed and I've loved but that doesn't mean I love you less. And he knows he can't possess me, and he knows he never will; there's just this empty place inside of me that only he can fill.
Torn between two lovers, feeling like a fool; loving both of you is breaking all the rules.”
Sadly, I will have to say that the words to this song basically describe the heart-set of many Christians. With “part” of their heart they say that they love the Lord. Yet, with another “part” of their heart, they long after and seek the things of this world.
At the “battle of the gods” on Mt. Carmel, the prophet Elijah issued this declaration:
“And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.”
I Kings 18:21 NKJV
There are numerous references throughout the Bible concerning the evil of seeking the Lord “half-heartedly.”
Samuel, spoke these words:
“Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you return to the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.””
I Samuel 7:3 NKJV
James, in speaking of things from which we need to be cleansed, says this:
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
James 4:8 NKJV
Jesus, sums up the issue of seeking the Lord half-heartedly, with these words:
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Matthew 6:24 NKJV
Although the Lord is referencing the love of money here, the principle would apply to anything that has the focus of our heart rather than the Lord.
John tells us that love of the world and love of the Lord are mutually exclusive. That is to say, love of the world indicates a lack of love for the Father in the one who has chosen the world as a lover.
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
I John 2:15-17 NKJV
I really believe that we are living in a time when the Lord—as never before—is making a distinction between those who are truly His, and those who are not. Those who are truly His, must be seeking after Him with their whole heart.
Now, you might be able to “pivot” between the Lord and some other “god” in your life for a while. But make no mistake, there will come a time when you will have to choose. Sadly, that time is often precipitated in the midst of a crisis or tragedy.
In today’s portion from David’s psalms, we see that David begins by expressing that he is worshiping the Lord with his WHOLE heart. He had a fervent love toward the Lord that truly captivated his heart toward His beloved Shepherd.
We can also see times when David would ask the Lord to make sure that his heart was undivided towards Him.
“Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.”
Psalms 86:11 NKJV
Allowing our affections to be alienated from the Lord by other desires, will eventually lead us into temptation. And to a great extent, the moving away of our focus from the Lord to things of this world is the intended outcome of any so-called enticement from the world.
Child of God, let us make sure that we approach the Lord with our whole heart, our soul loving only Him. Otherwise, we might find ourselves not only feeling llike a fool, but being one.
For today let us know and understand what David knew:
The Lord wants our whole heart.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Jul 26
- 4 min read
“For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen— Even the beasts of the field, The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas.”
Psalms 8:5-8 NKJV
I am an animal lover. I always have been. As a child I wanted to be able to communicate with wild animals so that they would not be afraid and run from me.
Stories of the 13th century Italian friar, Saint Francis of Assisi, reveal his unusual ability to communicate with animals. He cared for them, prayed for them, and—according to many accounts—even preached to the animals. Now, he was not trying to lead them to salvation. Rather, he was leading them to rejoice at the greatness of their Maker. And, whereas we do not generally see people operating with that sort of communication and control with animals, I have personally seen animals responding to prayer.
As we are told in the Bible, when man was created, he was given dominion over the earth, over all things in the earth. Man was given the right to name animals because he was the master over them. As well, our dominion was meant to even go beyond the animal kingdom into all aspects of this creation.
I have personally seen the elements responding to the Word of the Lord. For example, I have seen my father command tornadoes to change their path, and they did. At other times, he spoke words that calmed tremendous storms. I have seen him pray down rain onto parched soil and rebuke excessive rain.
Before him, his father was known for having the ability to control weather. In fact, in my own life, I have seen the Lord cause weather related phenomena to respond to my requests. Perhaps you have seen similar things in your own life.
But, as great as what we may have seen has been, it pales in comparison to the total dominion over God’s creation awaiting His children.
Jesus came and illustrated control over the elements by commanding storms to cease. Water became a walkway under His feet. Food multiplied in His hands. He bypassed the whole process whereby water (rain falling upon a vineyard) is turned into wine (the rain is absorbed into the vine and is crushed out of the grapes produced by the vine). As well, He commanded fish to swim into a net! Indeed, all of the miraculous things He did should serve as a preview of the power He wants us to have.
Of course, the idea of complete dominion is difficult for us to grasp. Even so, Jesus—the God-Man—through His sacrifice, absolutely bought back the dominion we had forfeited.
The prophet Daniel speaks of seeing the One Who would have all power and dominion.
“I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.”
Daniel 7:13-14, 18 NKJV
Think of the prophecy we see here: “. . . the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.” That’s such an exciting promise!
Understand, God already had dominion over everything. Yet, He came in the form of a man to secure that dominion for us. And as a man, Jesus was able to say:
“ . . . All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”
Matthew 28:18 NKJV
Jesus even now offers us access to that authority. And, as the writer of Hebrews explains, we can look to Jesus’ example as a reminder of what is to come.
“For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. But one testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.”
Hebrews 2:5-9 NKJV
Yes, the above scripture explains the glorious hope of the restoration of total dominion we have in Jesus Christ
In today’s portion of David’s psalms, we see that—along with David marveling over God‘s awareness and care for us—he extols the fact that the Lord created man to have dominion over all creation.
Child of God, you may not be currently ordering tornadoes around or preaching to animals, but don’t forget what you were created to be.
Also understand, even now, in times of need, the Lord gives access to His authority. In so doing, He not only meets the needs of that moment—but reminds us of what is to come!
For today let us know and understand what David knew:
The Lord wants man to rule over His creation.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!