Strengthened By the Name of the Lord

"I am a weakling!" All of the blog posts around the theme of 'strengthening' stem from the truthfulness of this declaration. Only when we firmly believe that we are weaklings will we be motivated to run as fast as possible to the Source of strength, our Lord Jesus Christ. Because Jesus always provides what we need for life and godliness, it should not surprise us that He has a number of avenues through which this strength is forthcoming. So far we have considered the avenues of His grace, His word and His joy.

Now, we turn our attention to being strengthened by the NAME of the Lord. The NAME of the Lord is part of God's daily provision that is essential in being able to live the victorious Christian life.

The word 'name' is found about 750 times in the New International Version. 500 of the 750 times the word is used with a direct reference to God - be it God the Father or God the Son. It is so used in 48 of the 66 books of the Bible. For a bit of trivia...in the Old Testament the book of Psalms wins for the highest number and in the New Testament the award goes to the book of Acts.

First, the NAME of the Lord is STRONG to SAVE! The first actions and sermons of the Christian church establish this priority in no uncertain terms.

• Peter said to the man crippled from birth, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the NAME of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!" (Acts 3:6)
• When giving an explanation to how this man was healed, Peter declared, "By faith in the NAME of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong" (Acts 3:16)
• The crown jewel of this account is Peter addressing the rulers and elders who were trying to silence the apostles: "...know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the NAME of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised form the dead, that this man stands before you healed...Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no NAME under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:10,12)

We cannot be saved by our good deeds, our religious observances or our own moral superiority. All of our righteousness is filthy rags. The NAME of the Lord is strong to save.

Second, the NAME of the Lord is STRONG to PROTECT! This is true in both a passive sense and an active sense.

The passive protection is highlighted in Proverbs 18:10: "The NAME of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." Once inside this tower, there is nothing for us to do. It is already done through His provision and His presence. How comforting and peaceful it is to hide behind the Name of the Lord in this strong tower.

Perhaps the best illustration of the active protection comes from the very familiar story of David and Goliath. Since it is so familiar, I am going to engage your interest with a quiz question: What was David's weapon in slaying Goliath? If you answered a sling shot and a stone, you are incorrect. I'll let David speak for himself in providing the correct answer. David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the NAME of the LORD Almighty..." (1 Samuel 17:45)

The spiritual battle is raging all around us. Fighting on our own power with our own weapons is a sure recipe for defeat and disaster. I declare to you on the authority of the Word of God...the NAME of the Lord is strong to protect.

Third, the NAME of the Lord Is STRONG for SPIRITUAL WORSHIP! Worship is seeing God from God's point of view. Worship is agreeing with God that the NAME of Jesus Christ is the NAME above all names! Worship is all about Jesus and His honor and not about us and our needs.

• Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess His NAME. Hebrews 13:15
• I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the NAME of the LORD Mist High. Psalm 7:17
• I will bow down toward Your holy temple and will praise Your NAME for Your love and Your faithfulness, for You have exalted above all things You NAME and Your Word. Psalm 138:2

While we engage in the privilege and the celebration of worship, we are strengthened. The NAME of the Lord is strong for spiritual worship.

Take the Lord at His word and agree with His assessment. Without Him you can do nothing. But with Him all things are possible. Willingly, and often, declare your weakling status and run as fast as possible to the only Source of strength. You will find Him faithful as He strengthens you through the might and majesty of the NAME that is above every name: the NAME of our Lord Jesus Christ!