Something I’ve been thinking about lately is the name of God. It occurred to me that “god” is used in a variety of religions to refer to different deities. I think I would prefer to be more specific when I pray or speak of God, calling Him by His specific name. He does after all know my name, shouldn’t I know His? Of course I do know of the names of God, but rarely use them in general conversation or writing.
(I would also like to avoid any confusion. For example, when people carry signs that say things like “god hates gays”, I would prefer them to use whatever specific god they are referring to, because I know for certain they are not talking about my God, the one true God who is love. And…. Well that could be another whole blog post….)
As I begin to chew this over I begin to see and hear of others talking about the same thing, and maybe it’s the same phenomenon that happens when you get a new car you start seeing the exact same car everywhere, but I think there is more to it. God wants to make His name known and so He is tugging on hearts to know His name.
I want to know His name and there is much I would like to share about it but one of the first things I read as I began a journey to dive into the names of God caused me to pause, as I read on one of the names of God- Jehovah:
“Jehovah is translated as “The Existing One” or “Lord.” The chief meaning of Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word Havah meaning “to be” or “to exist.” It also suggests “to become” or specifically “to become known” – this denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly.” (source here)
This struck me, first because names have so much meaning, what we call something, or someone, so often reveals what it is or who they are. The name of God is no different, it is not haphazard, His name(s) reveal more of who He is. It also struck me how very true this is, that God reveals Himself unceasingly. I’ve been walking with Jehovah my entire life and I am always learning more about Him. He is always revealing Himself, making Himself known in new ways. I do not know Jehovah, but I am constantly knowing Him more. There are layers and layers of Jehovah that we have not even touched yet. He is ALWAYS revealing himself.
But often we want to put an Infinitely Large God in a box small enough to wrap our heads around to think that we know Him. But He will not be boxed in. Jehovah will not be defined by our finite minds. We will not fully comprehend Him, because He will constantly be revealing more and more of Himself for all eternity.
Those who rely on doctrine and theology to understand God, might think they have it figured out. The Bible says “this”, which means “this” and therefore God is like “this” end of story. Oh but it is not! He is always revealing more. But if we think we understand or have it figured out we might stop pursuing Him further because we think we have found Him, we stop praying for more veils to be lifted, we stop going deeper because with think “this” is what it is to walk with God, “this” is who He is.
All our studying of God and scripture should always lead us to Jehovah Himself, His very presence and encounters with Him that give us fresh revelation of Him. Otherwise we are just seeking more knowledge. (You know like the tree of knowledge? The one in the Garden, the one that when they ate from it led to death and the fall of all mankind?) Knowledge, without the Life of Holy Spirit breathing on it to give us revelation that leads us deeper into the heart of Jehovah, is just……death.
I want to choose Life, I want to eat from the Tree of Life. So I am on a journey asking Jehovah to open my eyes to see, my ears to hear and my heart to receive Him in His fullness, as He constantly reveals Himself.
Jehovah, take me deeper, peel back the layers of my own heart and reveal more of your heart to me.
Jehovah wants to reveal more of Himself to you today….just ask Him…
