December 7 – His Incomprehensible Name

“Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that when your words come to pass, we may honor you?” But the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask my name, seeing it is “wonderful?”” – Judges 13:18 (NASB)

Our verse comes from the story of Samson in the Book of Judges. The Lord God visits in person the mother of Samson ad announces Samson’s birth and calling. His father Manoah asks for an in person announcement rather than believing the hearsay his wife tells him regarding the news of Samson’s birth. In this account, the Lord then appears to Manoah with a miraculous demonstration. But that is not enough because Manoah asks, What is Your name? This secret name is again indicative that the Angel is the Lord. “Why do you ask My name?” The Angel would not divulge His name just as He didn't reveal His name to Jacob in Genesis 32:24–30. Considering how often we hear the name of God bandied about with no respect and often with a great disrespect, we can be amazed at Manoah’s response – He wished to honor the name of this messenger who was the Lord God Himself. But he is told by the angel of the Lord that is not possible because “my name…is ‘wonderful.'" The word ‘wonderful’ means ‘incomprehensible,’ see Isaiah 9:6. The true meaning of God’s name is wonderful beyond our ability to understand it.

198

March 6 – Peace, not Fear

“ But the LORD said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.” So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD Is Peace. ” Judges 6:23-24a (NIV)

We read today of another name for our God which comes to us in the story of Gideon.  It was the Angel of the the LORD sent by God to commission Gideon to lead the Israelites against the Midianites. When Gideon realized that he had been talking to the Angel of the LORD face to face, he became afraid and prayed to God. The Hebrew name Gideon used was Yahweh Shalom with is translated The LORD is Peace. In the context of Gideon's experience we realize that God gave him personally real peace in his heart. We can read further that God helped him to miraculously win victories over the Midianites with a very small army and the victories brought peace for the people of Israel. We can trust in this same God to fill our hearts with His peace. Because we know Him today we can experience this peace today, because it is the LORD of Peace who is the God we know.  It's a promise as sure for us as it was for Gideon.

February 3

“The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”” Judges 6:14 (NIV)

We read this verse because it is a reminder of the connection between God’s will for us and our ability to perform His will. God wanted Gideon to do something and He provided Gideon with the ability to do it. We do not expect that God will ask any of us to go out and fight an enemy in battle as He asked Gideon. But, maybe sometime He will put it in our hearts to do something special for Him. It may be something small that He puts in our conscience that needs to be done. Whatever it is let us remember that if the idea comes from God He will enable us to do what He wants us to do. He will provide the strength and just as he said to Gideon he may say to us, “Go in the strength you have…am I not sending you?” God will not send without providing the grace to obey. 

April 17

“But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.” 2 Timothy 4:17 (NIV)

Paul was in prison in Rome and he is describing how some of his friends deserted him when he was being tried in court. What a wonderful reminder of the faithfulness of our God. Paul was aware that when he stood before the judge in the Roman court, the Lord was right there. Paul describes being delivered out of the mouth of the lion, that is, of the Roman Emperor Nero, or some of his judges. He sensed that God was at his side. He is the same God that we serve today. Even if friends forget us our Lord never does. He knows how we need His support when the difficulties build up. He is there. He will stand by our side.