Holy Names

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post in the archives, dated November 12, 2008, where I introduce myself and the blog. I invite to you add in any reflections or comments you may have.

Blessings and best wishes,
Dr. Will

Friday, January 1, 2010 – Holy Name
Devotions: Ps 103, 148; Isa 62:1-12; Rev 19:11-16; Mt 1:18-25

Let all my being bless God’s holy name: he forgives my sins and heals my illnesses; He redeems me from hell and crowns me with steadfast love and mercy; he renews my life every day! YHWH works vindication for all who are oppressed; He is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. His love towers above us, as the heavens surmount the earth; He removes our sins from us as far as east is from west. He cares for us as a Father His children; He knows us in and out—we are mortal, passing like grass in the wind; His steadfast love sustains us for eternity. So I will keep Your commands, my Lord, and my soul will forever bless You. Let all creation praise YHWH and His Name. He created by command, out of nothing, everything that exists. Let all sentient ones praise our Creator God; His glory exceeds all other glories. Praise YHWH!

I will speak out for Zion’s sake; the nations will see God’s salvation. And Jesus is a crown of beauty in the Father’s hand; we, too, are beautiful because of God’s love for us. We are no longer Forsaken; no longer Desolate; we are God’s Delight; our land is Married to the divine Husband! Beaulah Land is our true home. God’s watchmen declare His coming; His covenant protects and blesses us. Let us enter His gates with praise; let us hurry along the level highway He has created for us in the wilderness, and hasten to His holy city! Our salvation, our Savior, is coming! God has made us His holy people; we are citizens of His new Jerusalem, the Chosen, a city not forsaken.

In John’s apocalypse, he is granted a vision of Jesus triumphant: on a white horse, He Who is Faithful and True; judge and mighty captain; with eyes of flame, crowned with many crowns; bearing a Name of mystery known only to Himself. His robe is dipped in blood; He is the Word of God, general of heaven’s host. His word is a sharp, double-edged sword with which to smite the pagans; He will rule creation absolutely; He will tread the winepress of God’s righteous wrath of God the Almighty; he bears the inscription ‘King of kings and Lord of lords’.

Jesus was born to Mary, a virgin of Nazareth, betrothed to Joseph; before they had union, Mary conceived a son by the Holy Spirit. Joseph intended to divorce her quietly, but God’s angel appeared to him and counseled him to take Mary as his wife, since she was bearing God’s own son. He was to name the baby Jesus, for He would save His people from their sins. And all this fulfilled the prophecies of Isaiah: ‘a virgin will conceive and bear a son called Emmanuel’ – meaning ‘God with us’. Joseph obeyed, and all the angel foretold came to pass. Joseph and Mary had no union until she bore the baby, whom they named Jesus.