Exodus 34:5 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord.

We sometimes forget what names meant in ancient cultures. Names were considered to express at least something of the essence of the one named, sometimes not being given immediately at birth, and sometimes being changed after a significant event in a person’s life. The indigenous tribes of North America likewise placed a lot of weight on names, but today, naming seems to be somewhat hit-or-miss, with novel names being created by parents just for the sound of them. In the case of the Creator of the universe, His name is a big deal, and very difficult to express in merely human language. The first time Moses encountered Him, at the burning bush, He gave His name in rather cryptic terms, grammatically, even, saying, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14) Here, He fleshes that out a good bit, to the point that Bible translations divide it into two verses, verses 6 and 7. We have trouble understanding that all of that together is the Name of the Lord! However, we need to try to understand it, because it expresses God’s character. He is both mercifully gracious and perfectly holy, forgiving but punishing the guilty. The problem for us is that we’re all guilty! (Romans 3:23) That’s why the Creator sent His Son to be our Savior, taking the penalty for our many sins. Jesus, incidentally but importantly, means, “God is Salvation.” (Matthew 1:21) Our names may or may not have meaning as to who we really are (other than as a legal designation), but we need to remember the Name of the Lord, both in the expanded form given here and in the condensed form of Jesus. He is indeed salvation, and we absolutely need that salvation.

My full name has deep family connections for which I’m grateful, but how well I merit my name is not for me to decide. What is far more important is that I also bear the name of my Lord, as a Christian. I cannot live in a manner fully worthy of that name on my own, so I’ve got to depend on the One from whom I received that name. As Paul said, I can do it only through the One who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) Paul expounds in several places on how we represent Christ as we serve Him and allow Him to work through us, and I need to keep that in focus. My personal name is totally insignificant, but the Name of the Lord is everything, and I’m to bear it with joy and honor.

Father, thank You for the incredible privilege of bearing the name of Christian. Help me fulfill that indeed as You intend, destroying the works of the devil (1 John 3:8) and drawing many to repentance and faith, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!