You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.

                                                                                                                 Exodus 20:7 

It seems in today’s culture that the name of God is thrown about without any consideration for the power and majesty that comes with the name. We often hear people say things such as, “Oh my God!” without even flinching. Movies and entertainment seem to feel it necessary to include several derogatory references using the names “God” and “Jesus Christ” as the foundation for these slurs. Interestingly enough, we do not hear the same careless usage of names associated with other religions. I believe that this only validates that truth and power are found only in God and Jesus Christ.

The third commandment is an admonition for us to use care in using the names of God. God is love and He gave us His Son (1 John 4:8, John 3:16). Jesus is a name that should be celebrated in that it means, “God saves.” So while much of the world seems comfortable with throwing the name of God carelessly about, as believers, we are to reverence and respect the name of God. In an effort to help us appreciate God and His character and nature, consider the following: 

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust!” For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

                                                                                                                     Psalm 91:1-4 

So often when we read the Bible we fail to see the depth that the original languages brought to the original hearers. Psalm 91 is one such passage. In the first two verses of this great Psalm, we are given four names of God. Each name describes a different aspect of His nature and character. Along with these names are the benefits of knowing God and resting in Him.

1. Translated in English as Most High is the name Elyon. This name can be understood as God who is the Strongest of the strong, Supreme, and above all other powers and authorities*. We see this in the Torah expressed this way:

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.                                                                       

                                                                        Deuteronomy 6:4 

2. Translated in English as Almighty is the name Shaddai. This name can be understood as God who is all powerful and omnipotent. The promise in the name Shaddai is that the Almighty can do everything He has promised*. Both of these names represent an important aspect of God’s existence and nature: His Sovereignty. This theme is echoed all the way to the end of scripture:

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

                                                                                                                 Revelation 1:8 

3. Translated in English as Lord is the name Yahweh or Jehovah. This name can be understood as the actual name of God. His name means, “I am who I am”*. This was how God instructed Moses to reference Him when addressing Israel:

God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

                                                                                                                        Exodus 3:14 

4. Translated in English as God is the name Elohim. This name can be understood as God, the Maker of the universe and the Supreme Creator of all of life*. These last two names reference the character and nature of God. In the New Testament, we see the Person of Jesus described as God:

He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.                                                                                                

                                                                                                            Colossians 1:15 

This Psalm also describes the benefits of knowing God and how we can rest in the assurance that He will be our Provider and Protector. God is described as a shelter, a fortress, and One in whom we can trust. In addition, He is a deliverer, is faithful, a shield, a bulwark, and One in whom we can take refuge. The Bible also instructs us that God is love (1 John 4:8), that he is light (1 John 1:5), and that He is the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3). Spend some time today reflecting on our great God. 

I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.                                                                                                           

                                                                                                            Acts 10:34-35 

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

                                                                                                            Romans 10:12-13 

 

*Source: http://www.lifeway.com/Article/sermon-four-names-god-refuge-psalm-91