So I have to admit I am going to veer off the scripture a little bit, but as I read the first verse, "Then I saw a beast rising up out of the sea. It had seven heads and ten horns, with ten crowns on its horns. And written on each head were names that blasphemed God." I couldn't help it but to turn around the idea and wonder, how we could write the names of God on us.
What would it be like if when someone looked at us, they saw the names of God...God's character? This is one of our best evangelism tools, to live a life that points to God, so that when someone meets us or gets to know us, they ask about what makes us live as we do.
So I was thinking that each week it would be good to focus on different names of, one at a timer, and work to represent that characteristic of God more fully. Of course in order to do this, we would need to know the names of God and what they mean. Let's look at a few right now, but here is a link to a more complete list.
One of my favorites is Jehovah Rophe - God who heals. This isn't just about physical healing, but emotional and spiritual as well. We too can bear that name when we look to bring healing to those around us. To bring them into reconciled relationships with others in their life or God, to help them work through wounds and release the pain.
Another is Gaol - God our redeemer. Remember when Boaz redeemed Ruth. He wore this name of God. How can we reflect the redeemer quality of God?
And Jehovah-Jireh - God will provide. Can you be God's provision for someone? Think about their struggles and what they might need. Do they need someone to come offer them a hand with a project? Do they need a little money to overcome a financial slump? Do they need someone to give them a ride somewhere or to just listen?
Now of course we can only reflect characteristics of God. We are not God, but in imitating the Lord, we can give others a glimpse of who God is. I was thinking that when beast (of Revelations) rises out of the sea with the names that blaspheme God, we were all wearing names that point to God, how would this impact those who God is reaching out to and bring into a saving relationship. If just one more person chose God over Satan, it would be all worth it. For each one of us is imminently important to God.
What name of God would you want written on your forehead?
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