I AM

Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! Prepare the way for the one who rides on the clouds. His name is Yah. Worship before him with joy. God, who lives in his holy palace, is a father to orphans, and he takes care of widows. (Psalm 68:4-5)

In most translations, YAH is seen as Yahweh or LORD. Whenever you see LORD in scripture, this is the name of God that describes him as the "I am". In observing God as the I AM, we are seeing the side of God that has always been, will always be. There is no beginning, nor any end to his existence. This is something our finite minds have a hard time with because everything around us has a beginning and will have an end at some point. Even when we think there might have been an 'emptiness' somewhere in times past, there never was because God was, is, and will always be!

If we think of God as the I AM in our lives, we are really acknowledging that he created us, keeps us going throughout this lifetime, and has prepared an even greater life into all of eternity with him. He is indeed the father to orphans and the one who cares for the widows. He is also the one who cares for all that is in existence because he is the creator and sustainer of all that is. The fact he gives 'special attention' to the orphan or widow is just a recognition of the special protection he gives to those who are without 'protection' of their own in this world - those who have no 'covering' over their lives. 

In OT times, the widow had no one to care for her daily needs, nor did the orphan. The usual 'duties' of the widow as the one to care for the household while her husband went out to tend the fields or flock did not provide a living for her or the children left behind. She was without a 'covering' over her household. What does sin create in our lives? A place where we have no 'protective covering'. We are outside of the place God prepared for his children. When we say 'yes' to Jesus, we find ourselves being brought under God's protective covering - YAHWEH - the one who was, is, and always will be is making a place for us to dwell in safety and security.

We prepare the way for his presence through worship. We abide in his presence through worship. We enjoy the protection of his presence through obedience. Worship might just create an atmosphere that opens our heart to be led into obedience when we are least likely to be obedient. So, worship on - enjoy the presence of the I AM - and step forward into choices that reflect a life lived under the protection of the one who always WAS, always IS, and will always BE. The I AM (LORD) is waiting. Just sayin!

Who have you been talking with?

O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. (Psalm 8:1)

It has been a while since I have spoken about the various names of God in scripture, but this psalm opens with two different names used for God - LORD and Lord. Sometimes it is easy to miss the subtle differences because we just 'read over' them. When we stop for a moment to consider what is being said by the use of the various names of God, we can begin to see the true meaning of the passage. LORD is God's 'covenant name' used in the Hebrew language. We might think of this as the 'Old Testament' name referencing his entering into 'covenant' with the Israelite nation. Another term for LORD is Yahweh or Jehovah. The meaning: I am who I am, or I am that I am. God is, has been, will always be the God of the universe - there is no other who compares with him, no other worthy of worship and honor.

Yahweh (LORD) references God's creative power. Thinking upon that for a moment, isn't it good to know that the one who creates all, has the power to bring forth something out of nothing, is the one we can enter into relationship with? That is the meaning of a 'covenant' - it is an agreement between individuals that cannot be broken, but there are 'conditions' to every covenant. On God's side, he shows himself faithful and powerful - on our side, we obey his commands and live according to his will. Lord references God's sovereignty, or as we might best understand it - master. When our psalmist opens with LORD - he is revealing the power of God, but when he uses the term 'our Lord', he is referencing God's position as 'master' or 'ruler' over his people.

The first term speaks of his right to rule. The latter speaks of a depth of relationship that results in one being willing to submit to his leadership in their lives. As creator, he is worthy of respect and honor. As master, his worthy of willing obedience and trust. God is not a 'force' - he is not an angry judge or a stern rule giver. He is the one we are to admire and honor. Our psalm is really saying there is absolutely no one else in this entire world 'worthy' of the same honor - no one else we should look up to as we do him. We give him the honor due his name - LORD, the creator of all; and Lord, our master and King. One expresses our awareness of his position, the other shows our heart in seeking the one who loves us so much. Just sayin!