The Names of God
Hi I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a word about the names of Jesus.
Oh, and don’t you just love the Savior’s name? There’s something soothing, something comforting; something secure and safe about His name. It’s why nearly every morning as I’m driving to work… whoever is driving me, we fill the van with singing and praise. The various girls who drive me to Joni and Friends or if it’s my husband … every day we know that when we climb into the white Toyota van, we are going to pray and praise and bless and sing and recite the names of the Savior: “Jesus, name above all names, Beautiful Savior, Glorious Lord, Immanuel, God is with us, Blessed Redeemer, Living Word.” All the way down the 101 freeway from my home in Calabasas to Agoura, here at the International Disability Center, we turn that van into a sanctuary. And to me, driving along, that feels so comforting, it makes me feel safe, secure.
Because for the 20 minutes it takes to drive from home to the Joni and Friends International Disability Center, no harassing spirit, no demon of discouragement or despair, no minion of misery, no scheme of the adversary can touch us. That’s because we happily fill that van with proclamations and songs of praise about Christ. And nothing drives the devil and his hordes away quicker; nothing irks the powers of darkness more than to hear you lift up the name of Jesus in song and in prayer. They can’t stand to be around God’s people when we exalt the name of Christ. In fact, I have on occasion said to my girlfriend or my husband who might be driving me, “Isn’t it nice to know that right now, inside the space of this vehicle, we can know for certain that it is clear of any demonic activity? It is so wonderful to know that the air is clear and we’re, safe, we’re protected? No power of darkness can stand to be around us right now ‘cause we are praisin’ the Lord!”
And it’s pretty much the same thing when my husband Ken drives me home every evening. We do the same thing. He may not sing, but we pray on and off, asking God to seal everything that was done at Joni and Friends that day. And because we speak adoringly of the name of Jesus, Ken and I have the confidence that, once again, the interior of that white Toyota van is a sanctuary, safe and secure. Psalm 5:11-12 says, “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” Friend, when you lift up the name of Jesus, God’s favor surrounds you like a shield, protecting you from any scheme of the adversary. When you exalt the name of Christ, God spreads His protection over you, warding off depression and doubt. Like it says in the Bible, the name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and they are safe.
So, whether you drive a white Toyota van or a Dodge Ram truck, a Volkswagen or a Cadillac Escalade, next time you head down the freeway, put in a praise CD and sing along at the top of your voice, or recite verses out loud or just pray out loud. You’ll be making your car, your truck a sanctuary of praise where no dark spirit can trouble you. And if you need help getting started, I’ve got a wonderful 12-page foldout listing many names of God that I’d like to send you. Just visit my radio page today at joniandfriends.org and ask for the names of God. Join me in praising His name and God’s favor will surround you like a shield.
Previously aired on 7/16/12 as program #7881
© Joni and Friends
The Names of Jesus Booklet
This booklet describes 50 names of Jesus, their meanings, applications, and where they are referenced in the Bible. Knowing these names allows you to worship in new ways and meditate on His characteristics.
