What’s in a Name?

My two-year old grandson examined the Disney characters displayed on his diaper and asked what their names were. From that moment on, and having had no exposure to anything Disney, he decided to rename all his family members, including himself, after such compelling characters. He now calls himself Mickey and his mom is Donald. The dog of course is Pluto. And we grandparents, formerly known as Mimi and Poppy, are now Daisy and Daffy. “How funny!” I exclaimed when he told me my new name. But there was nothing funny about it. I WAS Daisy and he has called his mom Donald for many days now. A delightful phase I’m sure, but one wonders if any of the new names will stick! This may be of some concern to the one among us who has been christened Goofy!

When my kids were little I volunteered at our church’s Vacation Bible School and some of the songs remain etched in my memory. One such song is called, Let the Name, by Singin’ Praise Kids. Its lyrics echo the words of Psalm 113, “Let the Name of the Lord be praised. From the rising of the sun to the place where it goes down. Let the Name of the Lord be praised. Forever.”

What does it mean to focus on the “Name” of God? In Psalm 75 we are told that the Name of God is near to us. One commentary (Community Bible Study) explains it this way, “God’s name carries his reputation. It is the expression of who He is. That’s why one of God’s Ten Commandments prohibits misusing His name. When Psalm 75:1 says that God – all that He is and all that He does – is with us, it means He is controlling things – but not from some faraway realm, out of touch with our realities. He is not indifferent to what happens to us. He is near, He sees us, and He cares.”

The Bible also tells us to “Call on the Name of the Lord”. In Romans 10:13, Paul says that “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” When we call on the Name of the Lord, it connotes faith and intimacy. We may be in desperate circumstances and we are confessing our utter helplessness . We are in a repentant mode, knowing that our days on earth are fleeting and only God can save us, forgive us, restore us. God’s response in Psalm 91 is both tender and reassuring. “Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him. I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.”

God’s Name is indeed near and He is waiting for you to call out to him. So call out to God in times of joy when you recognize His presence in your daily life and in times of trouble when the shadow of death is lurking. God’s arms are wide. His wings are expansive. His Name is Lord. His Name is Savior. His Name is from everlasting to everlasting.

Take it from this Daisy, the Name of the Lord is to be praised. Forever.