Listen to a brief explanation or read it below.
Explanation: The Bible is many things—a moral and ethical framework, a roadmap for life, a historical record of the Ancient Near East, a philosophical treatise on human nature, and more. But ultimately, the Bible is the special revelation of God. It reveals who God is. The Bible is, first and foremost, about God. When you read a passage of Scripture, ask this question:
If you were to give God a name or title from what you just read, what would it be?
Sometimes, God’s names and titles are given in the text we read. So, stop and ask God what that name means. Often, there is no title for God in a passage. In that case, asking God what this passage reveals about him and giving him a name can help us see God in the Bible and in our daily lives.
Example: Consider Psalm 68:5-6, “5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. 6 God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.”
Verse 5 gives us two names for God: “father to the fatherless” and “defender of widows.” Since widows and orphans were among the most vulnerable people in the ancient world, we could name God “The Guardian of the Vulnerable” based on these verses. Looking at God’s actions in verse 6, we might come up with other names or titles for God: “Protector,” “Provider,” “Redeemer of the Lonely,” “Rescuer,” “Prison Breaker,” even “Song Leader for the Freed.”
When I feel trapped by a situation in life, I remember that my God is the Prison Breaker. When I feel lonely, I remember that I serve the Redeemer of the Lonely. When a financial decision turns out to be bad, I remember that my God is my Father and Provider. When life is going well, and we prosper, I don’t forget to worship God, the Song Leader for the Freed.
42. Naming God