GreatIAM | Kristi's Morning Devotional

Sometimes in the quiet of the morning I just sit here and whisper the names of the Lord.

Heavenly Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Comforter, God Almighty, Messiah, Advocate, Emmanuel – God with us…and the list could go on and on.

Why so many names for our God and Father, Savior and Lord, Advocate and Counsellor?

“Our Lord and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth! You let your glory be seen in the heavens above. ²With praises from children and from tiny infants, you have built a fortress. It makes your enemies silent, and all who turn against you are left speechless. ³I often think of the heavens your hands have made, and of the moon and stars you put in place. ⁴Then I ask, “Why do you care about us humans? Why are you concerned for us weaklings?” ⁵You made us a little lower than you yourself, and you have crowned us with glory and honor.

⁶You let us rule everything your hands have made. And you put all of it under our power—
⁷the sheep and the cattle, and every wild animal, ⁸the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and all ocean creatures. ⁹Our Lord and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth!” Psalm 8 CEV

To the lost He said I am the Way; to the sick He is the Great Physician; for those in need He is El Shaddai (the provider); to the hungry He is the Bread of Life; to those living in darkness He is the Light of the World. For the soldier He is their defense and high tower; to those who are afraid He is the Prince of Peace.

When He asked the disciples who they thought He was they said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God”!

To those who need forgiveness He is Savior; to everyone who needs deliverance He is Messiah; to the lonely He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother.

“Then God gave Christ the highest place and honored his name above all others. ¹⁰So at the name of Jesus everyone will bow down, those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.
¹¹And to the glory of God the Father everyone will openly agree, ‘Jesus Christ is Lord!’” Philippians 2:9-11 CEV

To all of creation He is the Great I Am, Lord God Almighty, Lord of Hosts and Mighty God. God told Moses that He should be known as “I AM”. God is ever present and He is everything we need. He is I AM.

“…But what should I say, if they ask me your name?”^14-15 God said to Moses: I am the eternal God. So tell them that the Lord, whose name is “I Am,” has sent you. This is my name forever, and it is the name that people must use from now on.” Exodus 3:13-15 CEV

“I am,” means “I am the one who is” or “I will be what I will be” or “I am the one who brings into being.”

Jesus said when He left this earth the Heavenly Father would send us the Holy Spirit who remains with us forever.

“¹⁶And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever—” John 14:16 AMPC

If Jesus asked us today “who do you say I am”, what answer would we give? For me, I would say Savior, Lord and Friend.

One person, many names. Baby girl, daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, aunt, neighbor, employee, manager, teacher…The list goes on. All of them are true. Ask anyone of a number of people and their description of me would be different because their relationship with me differs.

Our reputation is built on the way others see us. So what’s in a name?

Have you ever taken time to notice how many different names we find in the Bible to describe the character of God.

God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, the Lord, the Healer, Savior, Provider, Protector, Lion of Judah, Lamb of God. Prince of Peace, Wonderful, Counselor, Everlasting Father, Jesus, the Messiah, the Risen Lord. Friend. I AM. Abba Father. Comforter, Helper.

What’s in a name? Plenty.

“For to us a Child will be born. To us a Son will be given. And the rule of the nations will be on His shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Teacher, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NLV

Of the names listed above which is your favorite? Maybe the name that has the most meaning to you isn’t even in the list.

When I’m scared and feel weak He is the lion of Judah – my protector. When I’m sick He is the Great Physican. When I’ve done wrong and feel ashamed He is Abba Father. When I was lost in sin He was my Savior and Risen Lord.

The sweetest name is Jesus – it fills me with such great joy because in that name is love, acceptance, kindness, goodness.

What’s in a name?

“Moses answered, “I will tell the people of Israel that the God their ancestors worshiped has sent me to them. But what should I say, if they ask me your name?” ^14-15God said to Moses: I am the eternal God. So tell them that the Lord, whose name is “I Am,” has sent you. This is my name forever, and it is the name that people must use from now on.” Exodus 3:13-15 CEV

When I face what seems to be insurmountable problems He is I AM. Whatever I need at any given moment He is my I AM.

To a young shepherd boy He was a giant slayer. To a nation held in bondage and fear He was the I AM of deliverance. To a thief on the cross He was Savior.

I encourage you to make your own list of names that you have for our heavenly Father, for Jesus and for Holy Spirit, the ones that mean the most to you. Each day focus on one of those names, letting it impact that day’s activities.

“All those who are led by the Holy Spirit are sons of God. ¹⁵You should not act like people who are owned by someone. They are always afraid. Instead, the Holy Spirit makes us His sons, and we can call to Him, “My Father.” ¹⁶For the Holy Spirit speaks to us and tells our spirit that we are children of God.” Romans 8:14-16 NLV

Today I will call Him Father and Friend!

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Name Above All Names

What’s In A Name?