The Name Above All Names

Not to us, O LORD, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.
Psalm 115v1


Its incredible how many times the theme and reality of the NAME of the Lord is spoken of in the Bible. Bible names so often embodied a message, made a point in some way, were used to honour or sometimes the opposite (Jabez for example means 'pain' because of what his mother suffered in child birth!), (names) spoke of the prophetic sense of destiny over a child's future life, (a name) was changed at times to represent the change in favour or status of a person (Jacob became Israel after struggling with the Lord and overcoming) and of course (names) identified the character or mission of a person and much more. No greater example than the name of Jesus (from Joshua - means Saviour)

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" Matt. 1v21


"He said to them, "When you pray, say: " 'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come" Luke 11v2

"All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled". John 17v10-12

30Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20v20/21

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Acts 22v21

15You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. Acts 3v15-17

6Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family. 7They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?" Acts 4v6-7

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Acts 4v18


15But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Acts 9v15-17


Do we live to 'make hallowed' the NAME of the Lord? Do we long to see the NAME of the Lord consecrated and set apart by people as the NAME above ALL NAMES - whom He actually is?

Do we understand the authority of the NAME of the Lord and the faith that comes through believing in and acting upon that NAME?

The 'NAME' and NAMES of the Lord represent WHO God is and who we are IN CHRIST, and what our mission is into the world.

Lord, make YOUR NAME greatJS