How are the names translated into English…?
“Yahweh (YAHWEW) Adonay (ADONAY) Yah (YAH)”
Can you think of any reason the psalmist might have addressed God by both titles in this context? No right or wrong answer exists. Imagine you were the psalmist; then offer your thoughts as to why you used both names:
“The worship experience this psalm brings about is enhanced by the use of multiple names which caused the reader to consider various attributes of our Lord.”
Review Lockyer’s thoughts here:
Jehovah corresponds to “I AM THAT I AM”
Jah can correspond to “I AM”
I think the deeper meaning of Hebrews 11:6 could be that we must believe that He is the I Am!
Could you or someone you love use the reminder that we’ve all sinned? If so, why?
“We all need at least a little adjustment of perspective now and then. Sometimes our own sin looks disproportionally bigger, but sometimes it seems unrealistically smaller. I can think of several loved ones who are quick to list all the grievous sins of those around them. One who even questions the validity of others claims of being believers.”
Listen carefully: God never disconnects Himself from His children. See for yourself. Read Psalm 139:7-10; then name all the places God accompanies us:
“the heavens, the depths (or Sheol), the wings of the dawn, or the far side of the sea.”
Glance back at Today’s Treasure. What does the palmist’s rhetorical question convey to us that God does not do?
“keep a record of sins”
Read Colossians 2:13-15. How many of our sins did Christ forgive (v. 13)?
“all of them”
What did Christ do with the written code (or law) that testified against us (v. 14)?
“He canceled it, took it away, and nailed it to the cross.”
Too many teachers try to convince us that God will make a public spectacle of us over our sins when we get to heaven. According to Colossians 2:15, who has been made the public spectacle?
“the powers and authorities”
Dearest Rachel –
I have to admit, when I first read the title of this study, I couldn’t help but think about all the things that passed between us that, for many reasons (including the fact that we assumed that we would have so many days together yet) we never kept a record of. It’s part of the reason I keep writing you, as I try to remember those days every now and then (while also bearing in mind that these days are just as likely to fade from my memory as well, and need to be recorded).
But of course, the topic has more to do with the fact that even God Himself doesn’t keep a record of the things we do – and we should be glad for it, because if He were to hold us to account for everything – if He were to require us to pay for every wrong that we have done in our lives (no matter how short) – He would have to instantly banish us from His presence (since He cannot abide evil – and we have all done evil at some point, no matter how over-the-top it sounds to put it that way), as we have no means within ourselves to make us clean enough to stand before Him.
And yet, and yet… in the same way that He who is everywhere has to send us away from Himself if we are not perfectly clean, He who sees and knows everything has made it possible for Him to wipe our record clean, so that He doesn’t remember it anymore – or at most, acknowledges it and dismisses it with the assertion that His Son paid for that offense, and every other such offense of humanity. It’s as good as forgotten, by the One who remembers it all.
So there is something to be said for not keeping a record of certain things. The good should be held onto, yes, but the bad needs to be let go of. It’s what He’s done for us, after all. We would be worse than churlish to not extend the same forgiveness to others that we have been given ourselves, wouldn’t we?
Not that I have ought to hold against you, of course, other than myself…
Letters to Rachel 