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• Names of God

Meditating on Isaiah 9:6, I realized the significance of the fact that the child was born “to us.” It was “to us” a son is given.

“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” (Isaiah 9:6)

On October 3, 1977, the doctors declared that born to David and Jocelynn Goff was a daughter, whom they named, Michelle Joy Goff.
On November 19, 2018, the judge decreed that to my friends Jeff and Amanda, a son was given, Ezekiel Matthias, “Zeke.”

A child is born to her parents... A son is given in adoption...

In both cases, there was anticipation and rejoicing, intensive labor and sacrifice. Both families have since made sure that these babies would be cared for, protected, and loved.

Child Services and adoption agencies do background checks and other reviews on potential parents and their homes before allowing an adoption to proceed.

However, if the world had been put through the kind of extensive testing that prospective adoptive parents go through while seeking approval to receive a child, we would have failed miserably. “To us,” an unkind, brutal world that would later betray and kill Him on a cross?

Yet God sent His Son...
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Out of love for a dying world, a Savior...
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

Unto you, cruel world, is born a child.
To you, confused people, I have entrusted my innocent baby boy.

And not just any child, not just anyone’s son: God the Father honored us with the gift of His one and only Son. Because this Son had a purpose, embodied by the names these same verses proclaim (Is. 9:6; Luke 2:11; John 3:16):

And not just any child, not just anyone’s son: God the Father honored us with the gift of His one and only Son. Because this Son had a purpose, embodied by the names these same verses proclaim (Is. 9:6; Luke 2:11; John 3:16):

Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Eternal Life, Savior, Christ the Lord.

God was at His most vulnerable when He sent His Son “to us,” as a baby. The plan was perfect, but the plan required a sacrifice in order that we might have the opportunity to be in relationship with the Wonderful Counselor, the Almighty God, our Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, our Savior, Christ the Lord, who is and gives Eternal Life.

Which of these names are you most grateful for?

How does it impact you knowing that “unto us” a child was born, and a son was given?

#IronRoseSister #namesofGod #MichelleJGoff #Savior

• Names of God

Moses was old and getting tired. He couldn’t keep holding up his arms, but every time they dropped, the Israelites, under the command of Joshua, were losing the battle against the Amalekites (Ex. 17:8-16). So, Aaron and Hur, who had joined him on the mountain, found a rock for him to sit on and help up his arms, one on the right, and one on the left, until the battle was won.

Highlighting the significance of Aaron and Hur in support of their friend is important. Through their example, we remember the ways in which others have lovingly supported us during difficult times... the “one another” passages in the New Testament... the vital role the church plays.

However, the end of the story reveals what we must never forget (Ex. 17:15). The altar that Moses built was called Yahweh Nissi, “The Lord is My Banner.” This is the name of God that proclaims His protection, leadership, and deliverance. The banner reference is also a celebration in His honor, a recognition of who He is and what He has done.

God, Yahweh Nissi, is the One who made victory possible. We grow weak and tired. Friends may help hold up our arms, but it is the Lord, our Banner, the eternal source of deliverance, the One who deserves the honor and the glory, who we call on today and celebrate.

How has God been Yahweh Nissi in your life? What can you celebrate, in a banner today, that He has delivered you from?

#IronRoseSister #YahwehNissi #truefriend #namesofGod #MichelleJGoff #LordismyBanner