His Word Today

“Nothing relating to the future is in anywise uncertain so far as the actualization of God’s counsels are concerned. None of His decrees are left contingent on creatures or secondary causes. There is no future event which is only a mere possibility, that is, something which may or may not come to pass.” —   Arthur Pink

Omniscience literally means to “have all (omni) knowledge (science).”  Since God is eternally existent, He is therefore capable of knowing everything because His knowledge of everything and everyone is eternally existent. This is in contrast to our knowledge, which is finite or limited because we are finite creatures. Let us set forth the following observations concerning God’s omniscience. 

First, God’s knowledge is comprehensive. The word “comprehensive’ means complete, full, wide-ranging, far-reaching and thorough. Proverbs 15:3 says, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch upon the evil and the good.” In other words, God’s knowledge of all things, past, present and future, is completely complete. God is lacking nothing in His knowledge.

God’s comprehensive knowledge extends to all that is in creation. Psalm 147:4 says, “He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.” Man cannot do this (Genesis 15:5). Matthew 10:29-31 says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Second, God’ comprehensive knowledge extends to everything that happens in His creation. In other words, God knows everything that has happened, is happening and will happen. Proverbs 5:21 says, “For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He watches all his paths.”

Philosophers question the omniscience of God when evil events occur. For example, 9/11. The reasoning by many is that if God is all-knowing, why didn’t He do anything to stop the events on that tragic day? Their conclusion is that God is therefore not all-knowing and the events of 9/11 took God as much by surprise as it did everyone else. The Bible, however, says otherwise.

Daniel 2:21-24 says, “Daniel said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. And said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. “It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding. “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him. “To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For You have given me wisdom and power; Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, For You have made known to us the king’s matter.”

I John 3:20 says, “For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.”

Psalm 94:11 says, “The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.”

Colossians 2:3 says, “in whom (Christ) are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

“It should, however, be pointed out that neither God’s knowledge not His cognition of the future, considered simply in themselves, are causative. Nothing has ever come to pass, or ever will, merely because God knew it. The cause of all things is the will of God. So God’s knowledge does not arise from things because they are or will be, but because He has ordained them to be. God knew and foretold the crucifixion of His Son many hundreds of years before He became incarnate, and this, because in the divine purpose, He was a Lamb slain from the foundation of the world: hence we read of His being ‘delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God’ (Acts 2:23),” explains Arthur Pink.

 I do not know why God did not prevent the events from occurring on 9/11; or for that matter December 7, 1941, or even November 22, 1963. What I do know is that He is perfectly aware of all which has occurred in the past, is occurring in the present, and will occur in the future and He has a purpose for all of it. He is trustworthy.

This is the omniscient God of whom we are called to know. We should be filled with amazement and adoration. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

“O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.” (Psalm 139:1-6).

Dr. J.I. Packer once wrote concerning the knowledge of God that “a little knowledge of God is worth more than a great deal of knowledge about Him.”

There are two phrases the psalmist David uses in Psalm 139:1-6 which I want to highlight for you. They are, in referring to the LORD’s knowledge, (1) “acquainted with all my ways” and (2) “you know it altogether.” Both phrases refer to the omniscience of God. David was saying that there is nothing of which God does not know. In our study of knowing God, it is wise for us to understand that at the same time we are seeking to know God, God knows us completely: past, present and future.

Omniscience literally means to “have all (omni) knowledge (science).”  Since God is eternally existent, He is therefore capable of knowing everything because His knowledge of everything and everyone is eternally existent. This is in contrast to our knowledge which is finite or limited because we are finite creatures.

 “God is omniscient. He knows everything: everything possible, everything actual; all events and all creatures, of the past, the present, and the future. He is perfectly acquainted with every detail in the life of every being in heaven, in earth, and in hell,” writes theologian and author Arthur Pink. King David said, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it.” (Psalm 139:6).

“David’s initial response to this staggering knowledge was that he was troubled. Like many who respond to the fact of God’s omniscience, he thought it was confining, that God had besieged him and cupped His hand over him. Moreover, this kind of knowledge was out of David’s control—it was too wonderful for him. The word “wonderful” is in the emphatic position, at the beginning of the sentence, meaning “extraordinary or surpassing.” In other words, divine omniscience is too high for humans to comprehend,” explains one commentator.

If we truly know ourselves as sinners, then it stands to reason that God’s omniscience may cause us great uneasiness. He knows everything about us. However, the understanding of God’s omniscience should cause believers in Christ to have great comfort that God knows everything which is occurring in our lives. As Job said, “But he (God) knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold” (Job 23:10).

God knows when I am weary (Psalm 103:14). He knows when I am filled with doubt and disbelief (Psalm 139:23-24). He knows when I am a failure (John 21: 16-19). Consequently, believers in Christ should be filled with holy awe, amazement and adoration of God in light of God’s omniscience.

“O Jehovah! Thou hast searched me David declares in the outset of this Psalm. He does not come before God with any idea of tis being possible to succeed by dissimulation, as hypocrites will take advantage of secret refuges to prosecute sinful indulgences, but that he voluntarily lays bare his innermost heart for inspection; as one convinced of the impossibility of deceiving God,” explains John Calvin.

“Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether” (Psalm 139:4). Have a blessed day in the LORD.

Soli deo Gloria!

“Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah!” (Psalm 24:7-10)

Let me ask you a question. Who, or what, is at the center of your life? For what, or for whom, do you live and derive the greatest delight, joy and satisfaction?

For the believer in Christ, it is God. God calls us to be theocentric. That is to say, God calls to continually have Him at the center of our lives. The primary interest then for the biblical believer in Christ is the triune God. The idea of God should dominate our thinking, feelings and daily decisions.

The Westminster Larger, and Shorter, Catechism puts it this way: Q. “What is the chief of man?” A. “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” The question which follows answers how we glorify God. Q. “What rule hath God give to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him?” A. “The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.” We, therefore, glorify God when we obey His Word.

“The universe is ruled not by chance or fate, but by the complete, sovereign rule of God. We exist for one purpose: to give Him glory. We have only duties to God, no rights. Any attempt to challenge this truth is doomed. Romans 9:20b asks, ‘Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, why hast thou made me thus?’ God enacts His laws for every part of our lives and demands unconditional obedience. We are called to serve Him with body and soul, in worship and daily work, every second of every day,” explains Dr. Joel Beeke.

God is in absolute and total control of everything which occurs in life. God’s sovereignty brings Him glory. Therefore, we are to glorify and praise Him for His sovereignty (Psalm 90).

However, we sinful creatures seek to take control, and receive the glory, which rightfully belongs only to God. We do so in two major ways. First, by denying that God even exists and placing ourselves at the center of our existence. We become our own gods. Second, while not denying God’s existence, we deny His authority to save and rule us according to the good pleasure of His will. Many would rather save and rule their own lives by the good pleasure of their own will.

“The achievements of modern life – medicinal, technological, and otherwise – have given us an ever-increasing sense of control. Actually, more than a sense. We really do enjoy more control over more aspects of life than ever before in history. We’re so accustomed to a convenient, custom-designed, there’s-an-app-for-that quality of life that we’re more shocked when things are hard than when they’re easy. Addicted to what we can control, we extend the borders of our kingdom into realms we can’t control. We try to control circumstances, but trials rudely show up uninvited. We try to control people, but they don’t stick to our wonderful plan for their lives. We try to control our future, but He who sits in the heavens always seems to laugh (Psalm 2:4),” one pastor writes.

God calls us to live Corem Deo, which is to view all of life before the face of God. We are to know God in nature, in history and in His grace. In everything we are to know God in His mighty power, to understand His mighty power and to sense His mighty purpose. We are to know God behind all the things which happen to us and to others and understand that He is working out His will. We are to know God in submissive and humble prayer depending upon His grace alone and rejecting the notion that we had anything to do with His complete work of salvation.

When we begin to live in such a way, we begin to get a taste of what it means to know and glorify God. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

“I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.” (Isaiah 42:8)

There are many truths concerning God’s purpose in salvation: justification; redemption; reconciliation; adoption; propitiation; predestination. Ultimately, God’s purpose in saving sinners is so He will be glorified. His chief goal in saving sinners is His glory. This He will not share with another.

What exactly is meant by glory? God’s glory is often literally depicted as a brilliant light (Exodus 34:29-35). Biblically, brilliant light symbolizes truth, righteousness, purity and holiness (See Revelation 21:23; Psalm 43:3; Hosea 6:1-5; John 12:41). This is what the shepherds saw and heard on that first Christmas night (Luke 2:8-14). This is what the Apostle John meant when he wrote, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4) and “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (I John 1:5). Therefore, to say God is glorious is to say that God’s character is truthful, righteous, pure and holy.

The word glory comes from the Hebrew word kabod which has as a root meaning “weight” or “heaviness.” It means that God is substantive. It means that God is not a lightweight. It means that God is important, distinct and honorable. The Greek word for glory is doxa. We derive our English word doxology from doxa. Its meanings parallel the Hebrew.

Often, an object’s value is measured or evaluated by its weight. For example, fresh produce, meat or a precious metal’s value is determined by its literal weight. This is the case when you buy lunchmeat at the deli counter. The price you pay for what you ordered is directly proportionate to the amount, or weight, you requested.

 God’s glory represents the truth that He is of infinite worth and value. God’s glory surpasses the glory of anything else which exists. Mankind continually seeks to glorify human beings by ascribing to them, be they politicians, actors, celebrities or athletes, a worth or value which is above other human beings; perhaps even comparable to God Himself. What foolishness!

“When we are ascribing glory to God, we are ascribing worth to Him. We are telling others of His value and unsurpassed worth. This, in turn, should shape what we do in and for Him. Our worship should evidence great beauty and reverence, for the worthiest being deserves that kind of worship. The Lord’s perfections should be regularly on our lips, for if we truly value something, we will not fail to tell others about it. If God has infinite worth and value, we should speak of His marvelous character,” Dr. R. C. Sproul explains.

I Corinthians 10:31 says, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Seeking to glorify God in all we do should impact the way we work, study, and treat other people. We glorify God by doing things well and treating people in a proper way.

To truly know God is to glorify Him as the One, True God. Resolve today to do all you do for the glory and praise of God. Why? Because He is worthy of glory.

Soli deo Gloria!

“In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:1-3).

If we are to know and understand who God is, we must recognize that He is glorious. Isaiah 42:8 says, “I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.”

To a certain extent, Scripture teaches that human beings do reflect the glory of God (I Corinthians 11:7; 2 Corinthians 4:17). This certainly was the case with Moses (Exodus 33-34). Yet, Isaiah 42:8 teaches that God’s inherent glory is unique to Him and Him alone. The context of Isaiah 42 is the doctrine of salvation. God opens the spiritual eyes of the blind and frees people from their spiritual bondage.

“The glory that is revealed in God’s work of salvation He will not share with others. It is His and His alone, and any attempt to take away from that glory by giving sinners a meritorious role in their salvation is a grave sin against the Lord,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

While there are many truths concerning God’s purpose in salvation (justification; redemption; reconciliation; adoption; propitiation; predestination) ultimately God’s purpose in saving sinners is so He will be glorified. His chief goal in saving sinners is His glory. This He will not share with another.

³³ “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! ³⁴ “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” ³⁵ “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” ³⁶ For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33–36 (ESV)

What exactly is meant by glory? The Hebrew word for glory is kabod. It literally means heaviness or weight. It also refers to abundance, splendor and honor. For the LORD to be glorious means that He is substantial and not a lightweight regarding His splendor of character and behavior. Accordingly, the Greek word for glory is doxa. It means shining radiance and amazing might and power.

“God’s glory refers primarily to his majestic beauty and splendor; it also refers to the expression of God’s character (Rom 3:23). The Scriptures record praise to his glorious name (Neh. 9:5), describe him as the glorious Father (Eph. 1:17) and the King of glory (Ps. 24); he is exalted above the heavens, and his glory is over all the earth (Pss 57:5, 11; 108:5; 113:4). He is the God of glory who appeared to the patriarchs of the OT (Acts 7:2). He is jealous to maintain his glory and unwilling that it be given to another (Is 42:8); he acts to bring glory to himself (Ps 79:9; Is. 48:11),” states Walter A. Elwell in the Tyndale Bible Dictionary.

“The glory of God is proclaimed by the Creation (Pss 19:1; 97:6; Rom 1:20). It is revealed by his mighty acts of salvation and deliverance (1 Chr. 16:24; Pss 72:18–19; 96:3; 145:10–12; John 11:4, 40). His glory is the theme of the praise (1 Chr. 16:24–29; Pss 29:1–2, 9; 66:1–2; 96:7–8; 115:1; Is 42:12; Rom 4:20; Phil 2:9–11).”

God’s glory is often literally depicted as a brilliant light (Exodus 34:29-35). Biblically, brilliant light symbolizes truth, righteousness, purity and holiness (See Revelation 21:23; Psalm 43:3; Hosea 6:1-5; John 12:41). This is what the shepherds seen and heard on that first Christmas night (Luke 2:8-14). Therefore, to say God is glorious is to say that God’s character is truthful, righteous, pure and holy. It stands to reason that to live for the glory of God is to be truthful, righteous, pure and holy.

“God has given to his people the hope of glory (Rom 5:2; Phil 3:21; Col 1:27; Jude 1:24–25). Those whom he has chosen he will also glorify (Rom 8:30; 9:23); they will share in the glory of Christ (Col 3:4; 2 Thes 2:14; 2 Tm 2:10). The sufferings of this age do not compare with the glory that will be revealed (Rom 8:18; 2 Cor 4:17). The whole of creation longs to see the glorious freedom of the children of God (Rom 8:21). This hope of glory is so certain that Peter can speak of participating in it even now (1 Peter 5:1) while looking forward to that eternal glory (v 10). As partakers in the glory of Christ, the church is called to glorify God. Because of the hope that is in them, they purify themselves (1 John 3:3),” concludes Walter A. Elwell.

“If God’s highest aim is the furtherance of His own inherent glory – and ultimately everything He does is for His own glory – then that must be our aim as well. Our entire lives must be spent working to make much of His name, not our own. No other goal of ours should be greater than to see the Lord’s glory magnified and proclaimed everywhere. To be a true servant of God is to seek His glory,” states Dr. Sproul.

How may you seek to glorify the Lord today at work, at home, at school, with your friends and acquaintances? We do so by being truthful, righteous, pure and holy.

I encourage you to check out monergism.com. Free e-books are available on the glory of God. It is worth a look! 

Soli deo Gloria!  

“‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.’” (Acts 15:16-18).

God makes decrees. A decree is defined as a ruling, an announcement, or a declaration. It can also be an order, law or command. The decrees of God are His purposes regarding the future along with His commands regarding the present.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism defines the decrees of God as follows. “The decrees of God are His eternal purpose, according to the counsel of His will, whereby, for His own glory, He hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.”  

“The decrees of God relate to all future things without exception: whatever is done in time was foreordained before time began. God’s purpose was concerned with everything, whether great or small, whether good or evil, although with reference to the latter we must be careful to state that while God is the Orderer and Controller of sin, He is not the Author of it in the same way He is the Author of good. Sin could not proceed from a holy God by positive and direct creation, but only by decretive permission and negative action. God’s decree is as comprehensive as His government, extending to all creatures and events. It was concerned about our life and death; about our state in time, and our state in eternity. As God works all things after the counsel of His own will, we learn from His works what His counsel is (was), as we judge of an architect’s plan by inspecting the building which was erected under his directions,” explains theologian A.W. Pink.

The decree, or the definite plan, of God the Father is displayed in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Consider the words preached by the Apostle Peter on the Day of Pentecost.

²² “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— ²³ this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. ²⁴ God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” (Acts 2:22–24 (ESV)

We witness the decrees of God in the life of the Old Testament Patriarch, Joseph. Joseph’s life, (Genesis 37-50), is the embodiment of Romans 8:28: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”Joseph understood the decree of God in four specific ways.

First, Joseph saw his life as ordered and controlled by God. In speaking to his brothers concerning the events which led all of them to Egypt, Genesis 45:7-8 says, “And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors.”

Twice Joseph says “God sent me before you to preserve life.” Joseph recognized that God’s sovereign decree is carried out by human instruments.

Second, Joseph understood that all which happened to him was pre-determined by God and not the reaction by God to circumstances beyond either His or Joseph’s control. Joseph said in Genesis 50:20, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

Thirdly, Joseph asserted that God was even in control of the bad things which happened to him. This perspective parallels Job’s own assertions to his critical wife. Job 2:7-10 says, “So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.”

Finally, Joseph understood that it wasn’t just for his benefit God worked in and through Joseph, but for many people including his family. Circumstances which break our hearts sometimes blind us to the truth that God knows exactly what is best for us.

God is in control of everything: even to smallest detail. That is pretty awesome to consider and humbling when understood. Take the time to read Genesis 37-50.

Soli deo Gloria!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,” (Ephesians 1:3-5).

Not only is God solely responsible for creating the universe, but He is also solely responsible for justifying, redeeming and reconciling fallen sinners to Himself. Believers in Christ readily acknowledge this truth, but the question of “when” God chose to redeem sinners becomes controversial for some.

The perspective of many regarding the unfolding drama of redemption is that God chose to redeem sinners immediately following the fall of man into sin (Genesis 3). In effect, God reacted to Adam and Eve’s decision to disobey Him by providing the means necessary for them to be justified, or declared righteous.

However, Ephesians 1:3-5, along with other passages of Scripture, clearly indicate that God planned to justify, redeem and reconcile sinners prior to even creating the world. In His omniscience, He understood that man would sin and prior to this act of rebellion in time and space, chose to save sinners before the foundation of the world.

God was under no obligation to create the universe. Additionally, God was under no obligation to save sinners. That He chose to do so, even before mankind was created, was for His own glory. The Apostle Paul refers to this as “according to the purpose of His will.”

“The foundation and first cause, both of our calling and of all the benefits which we receive from God is here declared to be His eternal election. If the reason is asked why God has called us to enjoy the gospel, why He daily bestows upon us so many blessings, why He opens to us the gate of heaven, – the answer will be constantly found in this principle, that He hath chosen us before the foundation of the world. The very time when the election took place proves it to be free; for what could we have deserved, or what merit did we possess, before the world was made?”— John Calvin

“How childish is the attempt to meet this argument by the following sophism: ‘We were chosen because we were worthy, and because God foresaw that we would be worthy.’ We were all lost in Adam. Therefore, had not God, through His own election, rescued us from perishing, there was nothing to be foreseen.”

“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began.” (Titus 1:1-2)

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” (2 Timothy 1:8-9)

“Through God’s sovereign will before the creation of the world and, therefore, obviously independent of human influence and apart from any human merit, those who are saved have become eternally united with Christ Jesus,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

God’s sovereign work to save, prior to the physical creation and its inhabitants even existing, should result in us praising and glorifying Him. This is what the Apostle Paul does in Romans 16:25-27 when he writes, “Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.”

This is the self-existent God who sought us and who we seek to know.

Soli deo Gloria!

“O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.” (Psalm 8:1).  

Before anything and everything existed, God existed: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Before heaven and earth, angels and humans, beasts of the field and all other creatures great and small on earth, in the sea or in the air, God existed. In short, God was, is, and always will be. He is eternal. He is self-existent.

The self-existence of God is documented in the praises of God’s people. The self-existence of God is also documented in His most personal name: Yahweh. In English translations, the Hebrew name Yahweh is identified by the English rendering LORD. Notice that Psalm 8 begins with the exclamation, O LORD.

The name Yahweh is the most personal name for God. The name focuses on the self-existence and faithfulness of God. When Moses asked God in Exodus 3:13-14 who it was that was sending him to Egypt in case someone asked, God replied, “I AM WHO I AM. And He said, ‘Say to the people of Israel, I AM has sent me to you’.”

This self-identification or self-existence by God is also important when we read the words of Jesus in John 8. In His adversarial discussion with the Pharisees, Jesus makes this climatic statement in John 8:58: “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

The Pharisees response is striking. “So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. (John 8:59). Why would the Pharisees want to stone Jesus? The reason must be is that knew He was calling Himself Yahweh by using the phrase “I AM.”

“This is a clear reference to Jesus’ eternal preexistence. Since this is an attribute of God alone, this text is a forceful statement of Jesus’ deity. The present tense of the verb suggest the eternal present of God’s eternity. “I am” is also reminiscent of God’s name in Exodus 3:14,” explains Dr. Sproul.

The name Yahweh shows us that God’s character is unchangeable. He is what He is and He never changes. God does not become anything more, or less, than what He is because He is always complete in all that He has ever been and ever will be.

 “That Yahweh means “I Am” tells us several important things about God’s identity. First, it shows that the Lord’s character is unchangeable. We can say of ourselves, “I was x last year, but now I am y, and next week I could be z,” but not our Creator. Yesterday He says, “I Am,” today He says, “I Am,” and tomorrow He says, “I Am.” He cannot learn any new information or become more holy. None of God’s perfections can be subtracted or added to. He can never be anything other than what He is today. There is absolutely no shadow of change for our Creator (James 1:17). Importantly, Jesus speaks of Himself in similar terms (the “I Am” sayings of John; see 8:58, for example), which reveals that He is one with the Father and worthy of worship and praise,” continues Dr. Sproul.

However, also notice that Psalm 8:1 continues to say, “O LORD, our Lord.” The second rendering of the noun Lord is the Hebrew word Adonai. Adonai means sovereign One. The God who is supreme and in absolute, providential control of everything and everyone.

“Adonai. The highest title used by God’s people in the Old Testament. You see it more than four hundred times. Adonai is a Hebrew word that means “Lord.” Someone with power and authority. Someone who rules,” explains theologian Barry Cooper.

“A vital difference between God’s essence and our own is also revealed in the name Yahweh. Human beings and the Lord both possess the attribute of “being-ness” — we both exist. Yet our being is derivative, as we have not always existed. On the other hand, God is self-existent: He has always been and can never cease to be (Ps. 90:2),” concludes Dr. Sproul.

Every one of us is changing: either for the better or for the worse. We change our minds, our clothes, our cars, our allegiances to sports teams, while making and breaking promises. God is different. He is faithfully the same, all the time.

Meditate upon the name of Yahweh by reading these corresponding Scripture passages: Psalm 102:25–28; Malachi 3:6; Matthew 28:18–20; Hebrews 13:8.

Soli deo Gloria!

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1).

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1).

“The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:2).

Before anything and everything existed, God existed: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Before heaven and earth, angels and humans, beasts of the field and all other creatures great and small on Earth, in the sea or in the air, God existed. In short, God was, is, and always will be. He is eternal. He is self-existent (Revelation 1:4-5).

Theologian and author Arthur Pink explains this well. “In the beginning, God. There was no heaven, where His glory is now particularly manifested. There was no earth to engage His attention. There were no angels to hymn His praises; no universe to be upheld by the word of His power. There was nothing, no one, but God; and that, not for a day, a year, or an age, but from everlasting. During eternity past, God was alone: self-contained, self-sufficient, self-satisfied, in need of nothing. Had a universe, had angels, had human beings been necessary to Him in any way, they also had been called into existence from all eternity. The creating of them when He did, added nothing to God essentially. He changes not (Malachi 3:6), therefore His glory can be neither augmented nor diminished.”

The self-existence of God is documented in the praises of God’s people. Moses, in Psalm 90, writes: “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!” For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.” (Psalm 90:1-6).

Creation had a beginning and has an end. Not so with God. Creation depends upon God (Acts 17:22-28; Hebrews 1:1-3), not the other way around.

“When the Bible declares that God is the Creator of the universe, it indicates that God Himself is not created. There is a crucial distinction between the Creator and the creation. The creation bears the stamp of the Creator and witnesses to His glory. But the creation is never to be worshiped. It is not the Supreme,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

To contemplate upon the self-existence of God results in my finite mind becoming overwhelmed by the thought and ramifications of He who exists from all eternity. Everything which exists can be traced back to its origin.  Not so with God. There is no origin with God. There is no greater being that created God. He always was, is and always will be. 

Meditate today upon Psalm 90. Praise the One who created you and who saved your soul. It is this Eternal God who entered time and space in the person of Jesus Christ. Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:18-23).

Soli deo Gloria!