Safety When Abiding in God
"The NAME of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe." Proverbs 18:10
Many words in the Bible have a literal meaning and a figurative meaning. "Name" here has a few definitions. Literally: "name" and figuratively: "reputation, fame, glory".
The Hebrew word for "name" is shêm (Strong's H8034)
The Greek word for "name" is ónoma (Strong's G3686)
Like the figurative Hebrew definition of "name", the Greek also has the same figurative meaning ("reputation, fame, glory"). This carries over to the "Name of Jesus". In His Name if we ask for "anything" He says we will receive it. "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do [it]." John 14:13, 14
HELPS Word-studies says;
"3686 ónoma – name; (figuratively) the manifestation or revelation of someone's character, i.e. as distinguishing them from all others. Thus "praying in the name of Christ" means to pray as directed (authorized) by Him, bringing revelation that flows out of being in His presence. "Praying in Jesus' name" therefore is not a "religious formula" just to end prayers (or get what we want)!
["According to Hebrew notions, a name is inseparable from the person to whom it belongs, i.e. it is something of his essence. Therefore, in the case of God, it is specially sacred" (Souter).]"
Of course His true followers are going to mainly be asking for spiritual insight, faith and understanding in His word, utterance, deliverance from certain situations etc. And we need to keep in mind Jesus' other instructions about persistence in asking.
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if iniquity is in your hand – put it far away, and do not let evil reside in your tents.
For then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be securely established and will not fear.
For you will forget your trouble; you will remember it like water that has flowed away.
And life will be brighter than the noonday; though there be darkness, it will be like the morning.
And you will be secure, because there is hope; you will be protected and will take your rest in safety.
You will lie down with no one to make you afraid, and many will seek your favor.
But the eyes of the wicked fail, and escape eludes them; their one hope is to breathe their last.” ~Job 11:14-20
Jesus's “NAME” is a known symbolic word for REPUTATION. It isn't literally “name”... as a name by itself means nothing! It's Jesus's REPUTATION that really makes Him who He is and shows what He's done for the world and what He is worthy of, which is all our heart, mind and strength, and eternal praise to Him and God His Father. Faith in Jesus's reputation or ACTIONS is what saves us. And that is a gift of God which can never be repaid!
"....yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs..." Luke 11:1-13
"Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying,..."
"...I tell you, he will give them justice speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" Luke 18:1-8
And we're taught the same in the Old Covenant;
"I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry." Psalm 40:1
"Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually." 1 Chronicles 16:11
"Yes, in the path of your judgments, O LORD, have we waited for you. Your name and your renown are the desire of our soul." Isaiah 26:8
We know from God's Word that His "Name" (His reputation, fame, glory) IS a strong tower. But He doesn't want us to run to Him only in times of trouble. This is an important lesson in the New Covenant. A lesson I was just talking about in my last "abide" message. Jesus said we are to run to Him and REMAIN (Abide - MENO)
James said we "must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind." James 1:6
In other words, when we doubt, we are not abiding in Him. We are doubting Jesus' words about having to continuously abide in Him. This is what we are supposed to be striving for. That is the fight. All our heart, mind, soul and strength to God.
If we're not striving, James says, "For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, [being] a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." James 1:7
It all goes back to the first and greatest commandment. Love the Lord with ALL... And our eye being singly on HIM so our body will be full of light...(Matthew 6:22).
When we do that, our hearts won't condemn us and "we have confidence before God." 1 John 3:21And we need that to serve God properly.
"Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which [the Lord] has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12
Amen. May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you.
Thomas Richards
You can be saved!
God loves the people in the world so much that He came down to die for us. If God is opening your heart to His message and you feel convicted for your sins which have separated you from a holy God and you feel the need to be forgiven, then say this prayer. This is how I was powerfully converted to the Christ in 1997!
Say, "My Lord and my God, have mercy on me, a sinner. I believe Jesus the Christ died on the cross and shed His precious blood for the forgiveness of all my sins. I believe Jesus raised from the dead and ascended into heaven and is now on the right-hand side of God listening to this prayer. I open up the door of my heart and I invite You in, Lord Jesus. Thank you, God, for saving my soul and I vow to serve you with all my heart which is the first and greatest commandment. Amen."