Beautiful Names of YHWH

"Jehovah" at Exodus 6:3. (1611 King James Version) Jehovah (/dʒᵻˈhoʊvə/ jə-HOH-və) is a Latinization of the Hebrew יְהֹוָה, one vocalization of the Tetragrammaton יהוה (YHWH), the proper name of the God of Israel in the Hebrew Bible.

Use in the Bible: In the Old Testament Yahweh occurs 6,519 times. This name is used more than any other name of God. Yahweh is first used in Gen 2:4.

Yahweh is the promised name of God. This name of God which (by Jewish tradition) is too holy to voice, is actually spelled "YHWH" without vowels. YHWH is referred to as the Tetragrammaton (which simply means "the four letters"). YHWH comes from the Hebrew letters: Yud, Hay, Vav, Hay. While YHWH is first used in Genesis 2, God did not reveal Himself as YHWH until Exodus 3. The modern spelling as "Yahweh" includes vowels to assist in pronunciation. Many pronounce YHWH as "Yahweh" or "Jehovah." We no longer know for certain the exact pronunciation. During the third century A.D., the Jewish people stopped saying this name in fear of contravening the commandment "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain" (Exd 20:7). As a result of this, Adonai is occasionally a substitute for YHWH. The following compound names which start with "YHWH" have been shown using "Jehovah." This is due to the common usage of "Jehovah" in the English of these compound names in the early English translations of the Bible (e.g., the Geneva Bible, the King James Version, etc.). ~Blue Letter Bible

We will remember the name of the Lord our God. By the name of God is generally understood, in Holy Writ, the various properties and attributes of God: these properties and attributes make up and constitute the name of God. As when Solomon says, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it and is safe." And, by remembering, considering, meditating upon this name of God, the psalmist represents himself as comforted or strengthened, whatever might be the duties to which he was called, or the dangers to which he was exposed. Others were for looking to other sources of safety and strength, "some trusting in chariots, and some in horses;" but the psalmist always set himself to the "remembering the name of the Lord our God;" and always, it would seem, with satisfaction and success. And here is the peculiarity of the passage on which we wish to dwell, and from which we hope to draw important lessons and truths -- the psalmist "remembers the name of the Lord his God;" not any one property or attribute of God; but the whole combination of divine perfections. And he "remembers" this "name;" the expression implying, not a transient thought, but meditation -- consideration; and yet the result of the recollection is gladness and confidence. ~Henry Melvill

Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us:  That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.  And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require:  That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else. Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.  Isaiah 8:56-61

The True "Family Of Jesus"

A wonderful blessing is that of having a family

     a. A source of love and acceptance
     b. A stronghold of support and encouragement

But we are not limited to the blessings of a physical family...

    a. Jesus hinted at the existence of an extended family (Mk 10:28-30)

         1) A benefit of leaving all to follow Him

         2) Even if it meant leaving one's physical family     

     b. He used another opportunity to describe that family (Mt 12:46-50)

         1) As His physical family sought to speak to Him

         2) He described those who made up His "spiritual" family Jesus used this opportunity to identify true family (Mt 12:48-49)

He then described anyone who "does the will of My Father in heaven" as His brother, sister, and mother  (Mt 12:50)

Why would Jesus identify His disciples as His true family?

     a. Our physical families are only temporary 

          1) Begun at birth, ending at death

          2) Just as death ends the marriage bond, so it ends the familial tie (Rom 7:2-3)

-- Emotionally we might resist this notion, but the fact remains the same

     b. Physical unions do not always mean spiritual ones

          1) At the time Jesus spoke, His brothers did not believe in Him

          2) As often happens, family members do not always have the same interests, the same concerns

          3) Jesus taught that physical relatives might not accept the truth (Mt 10:34-37)

-- Thus the true "Family Of Jesus" are those who do His Father's Will
Bits and Pieces of Sermons from Matthew

God's Goodness

Our attitude toward Almighty God will determine the degree of darkness or light that we experience as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. It is normal for individuals to feel grief at the loss of someone dear to them. Help is available for times such as these! King Solomon, the wisest man ever to live on the face of this earth, with the exception of Jesus, the Christ, in Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 (NLT), tells us: "There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under Heaven. (v. 2) A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. (v. 3) A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to rebuild. (v. 4) A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance."

It is obvious that King Solomon recognizes the hurts of life - but, He points out that help is available; and, that this help comes from Almighty God, whom the Prophet Nahum describes as being good! Yes, my brothers and sisters, the Lord God Almighty is good! We see the goodness of Almighty God in the world that He created! In the "Book of Beginnings" - in Genesis 1:31 (NLT) - we read: "Then God looked over all He had made, and He saw that it was excellent in every way. This all happened on the sixth day." Just look at these beautiful flowers that He created to be available during times of sorrow to bring comfort to those who are grieving!

We know the goodness of Almighty God through His Word! The psalmist, David, in Psalm 34:8 NLT), tells us: "Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in Him!" In Psalm 107:1 (NLT), David goes on to say: "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever."

We know that Almighty God is good because of the pains to which He went to bring about the redemption of mankind - both male and female! It was the goodness of Almighty God that sent His only-begotten Son to pay the price for our sins - your sins and my sins! The beloved Disciple/Apostle John, in John 3:16 (NLT), records Jesus, the Christ, Himself, saying: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have Eternal Life." Almighty God has tasted the sorrow that we feel and He does not have to feel our sorrow; but, because He is good, He does!

Almighty God - this good God - is our stronghold in times of trouble! Mankind - both male and female - has found this to be true in every situation of life! It is comforting to know that this good God invites us to come to Him in our hour of need! The Disciple/Apostle Matthew, in Matthew 11:28 (NLT), records Jesus, the Christ, Himself, saying: "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest."

Almighty God does not remove the difficulties and sorrows from our pathway; but, He does provide us with the strength to face them! The psalmist tells us, in Psalm 46:1 (NLT): "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble." The psalmist goes on to tell us, in Psalm 121:2 (NLT), "My help comes from the Lord, Who made the heavens and the earth!" It is absolutely amazing what we can survive when we look to the Lord for help!

Almighty God - this good God - knows those who trust Him! There are some blessings that come from Almighty God to each and every one of us! The Disciple/Apostle Matthew, in Matthew 5:44-45 (NLT), records Jesus, the Christ, Himself, saying: "But I say, ’love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! (v. 45) In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in Heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too.’"

As we travel the interstate highways of this great nation of ours, we find rest areas for weary travelers; however, they are only helpful to those who use them! It is the very same thing with the promises of Almighty God! This good God, that the Prophet Nahum offers to us, waits for us to look to Him today!  ~Bits and Pieces of Sermon by George Dillihunty