Put God's Name On Yourself

This morning while spending some time with God I found myself overcome with emotion, with awe, and gratitude as I thought of one of my very favorite readings in the Old Testament:

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: “The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’ “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:22-27 (emphasis mine)

Amazing. Utterly amazing. That God who made the heavens and the earth and all that fill them would teach us to ask for His blessing. There could be no way to measure the value of a blessing from an Everlasting God, an Almighty Creator, a Holy God. There is nothing greater that can be bestowed on us apart from His name. For His name embodies all He is. For some time now I've loved this prayer that Moses was taught by the LORD, and commanded to teach to those charged with the priestly ministry of that day. I especially love to hear it prayed in the original Hebrew language. It's a prayer for leaders before the LORD in their God-given sphere...congregations and families...to put the name of the LORD on His people. But make no mistake about it. You, Christian, are now a member of a holy priesthood and royal nation unto God through Christ. You can pray this blessing over yourself. You can ask God to bless you, keep you, shine on you, be gracious to you, favor you, and grant you His peace. You have this privilege to put His name on yourself. And He has already promised His blessing.

Only Believe

Here we are in 2012! Standing at the beginning of a new calendar year, I am personally more excited about this year than I can recall being excited about any other for a long time.

Did you know that God has appointed times and seasons for His global purposes, as well as His purposes in your individual life? When these times arrive He will do whatever is necessary (in accordance with His righteousness and power) to perform the word that He has already spoken (see Matt 1:18-22). We don't have to try to make anything happen in our own life. All we have to do is ensure that we are filling ourselves with His word, deepening our relationship with Him by giving ourselves to prayer, and being diligent to trust and obey. What I'm saying is that cultivating a real, personal, relationship with God takes care of everything else.

As the year unfolds tragedies and difficulties will continue. Darkness is growing darker and sin and deception is ripening in the earth. We are in the last days. Jesus is returning soon. And since He's coming for a Bride without spot or wrinkle, you better believe that the Saints are going to continuing being in a wash, rinse, spin and press cycle. Take heart. He will be with us and can strengthen us to overcome! And what's wonderful about this time that we live in is that the true, overcoming Church will shine like never before. I believe that if you spend any amount of time observing different congregations you can begin to spot the ones with hearts hungry to know God more, to speak His word and do His will, and to be holy as He is holy. It has already begun.

Christ's kingdom is going to be shared with overcomers. Those who by faith and patience, endure to possess the promises. They are those who bear up under tests because they hide the word of God in their heart and treasure it. They seek to know Him above all else.

In 2012, as in any other year, situations are going to arise that will shake those who don't have a solid faith in God and His word. But this does not mean that the year is going to be a bad one for you. Starting today you have an opportunity to choose to give God and His word first place in your life. Determine to chase Him down, to know Him more. Let your soul follow close behind Him (Psalm 63:8). As you do this, what He has planned for and through your life this year will come to pass, despite anything else that could happen in politics, the economy, or religious, social and moral debates. Take Jesus' words to heart: "Do not be afraid; only believe" (Mark 5:36).

This year, may God's kingdom come in and through your own life in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit!