We sing the song, “There is Power in the Name of Jesus.” What does this mean? How do we use it?
Names are really important in the Bible. One of the first things that God asked Adam to do was name all the animals, trees, bushes, herbs, etc. God gave people names, and changed their names as they began to serve Him. God himself has many names, each name reflecting one aspect of his dominion and his love and provision for us. And Jesus has literally hundreds of names, including Prince of Peace, Bright Morning Star, Lord, Son of Man, Son of God, Alpha and the Omega….
In Strong’s Concordance there is page after page of references to the word “name.” Those in Psalms, however, caught my eye. In Psalms we are told:
To Reverence His Name
To Trust in His Name
There is Glory Due His Name
We are to Bless His Name
We are to Sing Praises to His Name
His Name is Excellent
Declare His Name
Lift Up Our Hands in His Name
Sing Forth the Honors of His Name
His Name Endures Forever
We are Saved by His Name
We Should Call Upon His Name
We Should Give Thanks Unto His Holy Name
Matthew 18:20 Jesus says “Where two or three gather together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Mark 16:17-18. “And these signs shall follow those who believe. In My name they shall cast out devils, they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them. They will lay hands on the sick and they will recover.”
Philippians 2:5-11 says that because Jesus made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, God exalted him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above all names, that at the name of Jesus ever knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord …
In John 14:12-13, Jesus says,” In solemn truth I tell you, anyone believing in me shall do the same miracles I have done, and even greater ones, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask him for anything, using My name, and I will do it, for this will bring praise to the Father because of what I will do for you. Yes ask anything, using My name, and I will do it!
The disciples took Jesus at his Word. In Acts 3:6. Peter said to the lame man, “Silver and Gold have I not, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus, walk. Taking him by the right hand he helped him up and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong…. He began walking, jumping, and praising God…”
Let’s pray together.
Heavenly Father:
Help us use Your Name to defeat the enemy
And bring Your Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
You say that we will do what You did
While you were here on earth and do even more.
You healed the blind, the deaf and the lame, You cast out devils,
You raised the dead…
Give us courage to believe, pray and act in Your Name.
Help us to speak Your Word with power.
We thank you and praise Your Holy Name,
The Name of Jesus.
AMEN!
DLH – June 21, 1995
Shirley, MA, Medium Security Prison