April 3 – His Great Name

“For the Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.” - 1 Samuel 12:22  (NASB)

As we study the words and acts of God, we discover that He placed a great amount of importance on how we treat His Name. Everything God does is done for His great name’s sake.  The name of God is above all names ever for His name has been from before time. Whatever we think, say, and do reflects how important God’s name is to us. In our verse today, the children of Israel after having had God as their ruler and King and administered by God’s appointed judges and prophets, were jealous of the ways of the godless nations around them had Kings.  They wanted a King too. They demanded Samuel appoint a King for them. Once they had their King, they quickly forgot how God had cared for them, even when they strayed into idolatress pagan worship.  But God chose Israel and his decedents to be His people. God promised in an unbreakable covenant to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel) that He was their God and would care for them. Because of that promise it was for His Great Name that God keep His promises. God’s very name is why He can’t lie or break a promise.     

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June 11 – We Are, For His Great Name

“For the Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.”  - 1 Samuel 12:22 (NASB)

The name of God is far more than a label, sticker, or tag to be used as an ID.  “His great name” as used in our verse today refers to His reputation, His fame, His renown, who He is.  We use the word “name” in this way when we say “they are out to make a name for themselves.”  We understand Samuel means to use “His name” this way when he says that God made Israel a people “for Himself” and that he would not cast Israel off  “for his great name’s sake.”  The Apostle Peter described God’s purpose for us in this promise: “You are a chosen race . . . that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” 1 Peter 2:9.  Meaning, those who are the true church are chosen by God to make a name for Him in the world. Let’s remember, we are joining God in his God-centeredness. And for us, that means being a Christ-dependent, Christ-exalting people. “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17 NASB.

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Some content of this blog was gleaned from Desiring God by John Piper.

December 28 – In A Name to Trust

“For the Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.”  1 Samuel 12:22  (NASB)

Our Bible promise for today is found in a verse from the First book of Samuel in the Old Testament.   These recorded words were spoken by the prophet and priest Samuel to God's people in that day.  We know that in the time recorded in the Old Testament, God was dealing especially with the people of Israel.  This promise was given specifically to them at that time.  God has a larger family today.  We who have believed on Jesus as our Savior are now part of God's family.  We believe that God has been pleased to make us His own people through adoption into His family.  That is why he sent His only begotten Son to save us.  If you have believed in Jesus you can be sure that God looks on you as His own and this pleases Him.  As you trust in Jesus, God will draw you closer to Him and your faith will  grow stronger and your understanding will increase in the wisdom of God.  Let's take this promise today that tells us God will not abandon an account of His great name and who He is.  

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