Daily Devotionals
Tuesday, September 17, 2024 (Aminta)
Let me quote the famous Shakespeare and ask you a question today:
What is in a name?
Here’s why I ask: last week I took a day to fast and pray and read my Bible, pressing in for the Lord to speak to us and help our family. He brought me to a well-known story and gently revealed something to me that I would like to share with you today because it has given me a practical way to fight a big battle in my own life.
It’s found in 1 Samuel 17- the story of David versus Goliath. As context to the story, David was a young shepherd, sent to the battlefield to check on his older brothers and bring a report back to his father about their well-being. Upon arrival, David finds everyone cowering in fear at the sight of giant man taunting them from the other side: Goliath the giant.
Undaunted, David grabs five stones and a sling and asks to go face the impossible.
As he steps onto the battle ground, there is an exchange between Goliath and David that struck me:
1 Samuel 17:41-47 recounts:
“Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. “Am I a dog," he roared at David, "that you come at me with a stick?" And he cursed David by the names of his gods. “Come over here, and I'll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!" Goliath yelled.
David replied to the Philistine, "You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven's Armies-the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD's battle, and he will give you to us!"
O, THE POWER OF A NAME.
“I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s armies.”
David’s greatest weapon in the face of the most terrible giant was to call upon the name of the Lord his God.
Why?
God’s name is above every other name.
God’s name carries all authority.
God’s name is higher, greater and stronger.
God’s name is like no other name.
There is literal power in the name of God, and the same power in the name of his son, Jesus.
Scripture tells us this:
Philippians 2:9-11
“Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
John 16:23-24
“At that time you won't need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.”
Friends, there is power in speaking the sweet name of our God.
Speaking it to our biggest giant.
Speaking it over our greatest fears.
Speaking it over our family and friends.
Speaking it over our country and leaders.
It’s in the name.
What also stood out to me about the story is that before David spoke God’s name, Goliath came at David and cursed him by the names of his gods. He called on other names.
It didn’t work! The curses fell flat. He called on the wrong name, and it lead to defeat.
David knew a secret: God’s name could overcome every other word spoken against him; every dark force of evil and every curse.
Our Father’s name is the power we need.
Can I encourage you to pause and speak the name of Jesus over your life? Say it as many times as you need. Declare his name, outloud, to whatever it is that you looms in front of you.
Dearest Jesus,
Your name is the greatest name on earth. There is no other name like yours! All authority, all glory, and all power belong to you alone. I speak your name, Jesus, over my life today. I speak your name, Lord of Heaven’s Armies, over my battle with __________________. I ask that you would fight my giants and bring victory for the glory of your name. Jesus, I love you.
Amen
We are better together!
Mint
PS. If you want a song to stir your heart, listen to Koryn Hawthorne’s duet with Natalie Grant called “Speak the Name.”
What is in a name?
Here’s why I ask: last week I took a day to fast and pray and read my Bible, pressing in for the Lord to speak to us and help our family. He brought me to a well-known story and gently revealed something to me that I would like to share with you today because it has given me a practical way to fight a big battle in my own life.
It’s found in 1 Samuel 17- the story of David versus Goliath. As context to the story, David was a young shepherd, sent to the battlefield to check on his older brothers and bring a report back to his father about their well-being. Upon arrival, David finds everyone cowering in fear at the sight of giant man taunting them from the other side: Goliath the giant.
Undaunted, David grabs five stones and a sling and asks to go face the impossible.
As he steps onto the battle ground, there is an exchange between Goliath and David that struck me:
1 Samuel 17:41-47 recounts:
“Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. “Am I a dog," he roared at David, "that you come at me with a stick?" And he cursed David by the names of his gods. “Come over here, and I'll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!" Goliath yelled.
David replied to the Philistine, "You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven's Armies-the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD's battle, and he will give you to us!"
O, THE POWER OF A NAME.
“I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s armies.”
David’s greatest weapon in the face of the most terrible giant was to call upon the name of the Lord his God.
Why?
God’s name is above every other name.
God’s name carries all authority.
God’s name is higher, greater and stronger.
God’s name is like no other name.
There is literal power in the name of God, and the same power in the name of his son, Jesus.
Scripture tells us this:
Philippians 2:9-11
“Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
John 16:23-24
“At that time you won't need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.”
Friends, there is power in speaking the sweet name of our God.
Speaking it to our biggest giant.
Speaking it over our greatest fears.
Speaking it over our family and friends.
Speaking it over our country and leaders.
It’s in the name.
What also stood out to me about the story is that before David spoke God’s name, Goliath came at David and cursed him by the names of his gods. He called on other names.
It didn’t work! The curses fell flat. He called on the wrong name, and it lead to defeat.
David knew a secret: God’s name could overcome every other word spoken against him; every dark force of evil and every curse.
Our Father’s name is the power we need.
Can I encourage you to pause and speak the name of Jesus over your life? Say it as many times as you need. Declare his name, outloud, to whatever it is that you looms in front of you.
Dearest Jesus,
Your name is the greatest name on earth. There is no other name like yours! All authority, all glory, and all power belong to you alone. I speak your name, Jesus, over my life today. I speak your name, Lord of Heaven’s Armies, over my battle with __________________. I ask that you would fight my giants and bring victory for the glory of your name. Jesus, I love you.
Amen
We are better together!
MintPS. If you want a song to stir your heart, listen to Koryn Hawthorne’s duet with Natalie Grant called “Speak the Name.”
