GLAD TIDINGS 5 APRIL 2026 There is a sacred place that the name of the Lord holds in the heart of every true believer. Proverbs says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and is safe (Pro. 18:10). We reverence His name because it declares who He is in all His power, majesty, and glory. We must do as David, who said, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen, but we are risen, and stand upright” (Psa. 20:7, . “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings, and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves of the stall.” - Malachi 4:2 Throughout the scriptures, especially in the Old Testament, God’s name was given to reflect His nature. For example, when Abraham was ready to sacrifice Isaac, the angel of the Lord stopped him and said, “Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him, for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me” (Gen. 22:12). The Lord provided a ram in the thicket as a substitute, and Abraham named the place Jehovah-Jireh, meaning “The Lord will provide.” How often have we quoted the verse that says, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19)? We recognize the nature of God as a provider, supplier, and the one who meets all our needs. The Bible is abundantly clear that we are to honor the name of the Lord. But there is more to it than just esteeming His name for all that He does. We are to reverentially fear the greatness of His name because it reveals His goodness, power, and glory. David said, “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens” (Psa. 8:1). He reiterates the same words in Psalm 148. “Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent, his glory is above the earth and heaven’s” (Psa. 148:13). When Malachi gave us these words, he was letting us know the importance of fearing the name of the Lord (Mal. 4:2). Earlier, he says, “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon his name” (Marl. 3:16). What an incredible promise! Every time we think about the greatness of God’s name, it is recorded in a book of remembrance, and every conversation we have that magnifies who He is catches His attention. He takes great delight in choosing to remember our reverence forever. Think about what this means—that as we fear His name, “The Sun of Righteousness” shall arise with healing in His wings. Righteousness simply refers to everything being made right in thought and purpose. The rightness of God speaks of His purity, justice, and the true essence of His goodness in every action He takes. James said, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). God’s righteousness is pure goodness and light, and whenever we make mention that His name is exalted (Isa. 12:4-6), we open the heavens allowing the rays of His righteousness to shine down upon us with healing, wholeness, and deliverance. That is what the Hebrew word MARPE is speaking of. It describes a cure that addresses every ill we face in life. Psalm 61 says, “For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name” (Psa. 61:5). There comes a time when the rich heritage of God is shared with those of us who make much of the glory of His name. The root word for “heritage” means to inherit or to take possession by inheritance. We are called “heirs of God” and “joint heirs” with Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:17). How can we partake of such a worthy inheritance? It comes by honoring the Lord’s name, reverencing it in all its goodness and glory. One part of this heritage describes our protection. Isaiah says, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord” (Isa. 59:17). As we choose to fear the Lord’s name, we pave a path to our inheritance where we gain God’s wisdom, protection, and redemption. That is why He counsels us to fear Him. Whenever we purpose in our hearts to truly honor God’s name, we open the door to greater revelation concerning His will and ways. Psalm 86 says, “Teach me thy ways, O Lord, I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord, my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore” (Psa. 86:11, 12). Uniting our hearts to fear His name involves aligning our entire being with a single purpose: to live with wholehearted surrender and pure reverence toward His righteousness. As David declares in His closing words in the psalms, “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord; Praise ye the Lord” (Psa. 150:6). A literal rendering could read: “Let every part of our being, even the breath we breathe, give Him praise. Praise Him forevermore!” God wants to open the windows of heaven and pour down upon us more than we could possibly contain. However, we must recognize that it all starts with the high degree of honor, respect, and reverence we give to His name. Malachi told the priests of Israel. “For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts” (Mal. 1:11). Hebrews 13 says, "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name" (Heb. 13:15). As we make His name great among us, and our praise to Him as a pure offering for His name’s sake, we open the heavens for the Sun of Righteousness to pour down His light and goodness upon us in ways that are beyond measure. That is why David said, "He leads us in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake" (Psa. 23:3). DEFINING MOMENTS… David said, “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psa. 124:8). Romans 10 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13). The word “saved” in Greek is SOZO. It is defined as being healed, made whole, preserved in danger, delivered from evil, made well, and restored to health. All of this is in His name. As we reverence His name, we pave the way for His salvation to come. CONFESSION I will declare God’s Word over my life: “And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure” (Isa. 33:6). Therefore, “I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord” (Psa. 116:13). PRAYER Father, today is the day of salvation. I call upon Your name and claim all that You have promised as my inheritance in the Lord. I reverence all that Your name represents and rejoice in Your righteousness for Your name’s sake. In Christ, my Lord, Amen. u Permission Granted Faith Harvest Church 221 Executive Drive, Unit 6 Savannah GA 31406 (912) 712-3098 pastor1@fhcsavannah.org THE NAME OF THE LORD PASTORS DAVID & BETTY DUNNING Savannah, Georgia
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