The Least of These

Recently I was confronted by somebody who felt that most Bibles showed a great deal of disrepect to God for not using the name Jehovah, translated from the Hebrew Yahweh, which is the name by which God revealed Himself to the Hebrews in the Old Testament. Upon looking into it a little more, I found that Jehovah was such a sacred name to the Jews that only the high priest could say it on the day when he entered the most holy place. Despite the reverence and respect this name protrays, I don't feel that it is the best and only name for we as Chrisitans to use. 'Jehovah' seems to lack the intimacy we have as beloved children of God. Jesus and Paul chose a far different name to call God when they cried out to Him: Abba. (Mark 14:36; Romans 8:15) Literally translated, 'abba' means 'daddy'. It can be difficult to grasp that the Almighty Creator is also our loving daddy. He carved the oceans, He painted the stars in the sky, and He cares when I stub my toe. :) I hope we can all say that we believe in a God who is big enough to care about the smallest things in our lives.

"See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:10-11, 28-31)

--Written by Steven Wakeman (3/18/02)