As a new year dawns upon us, the cry of my heart is that each of us would know Christ and experience His victory as never before. My heart yearns to know Him intimately and follow Him closely. Therefore, each week, I'll be writing about the names of God. In His name, we have victory; in His name, we can conquer kingdoms; in His name, we have the ability to overcome our frailties; and in His name, we have assurance of answers to our prayers.

Among the Hebrew people of ancient times, the name of a person indicated the character or personality of that person. That's why the name of God was so important to them. When Moses encountered God in the Midianite desert, God commanded him to go back to Egypt and deliver his fellow countrymen from their slavery. His first response to God was, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is His name?' Then what shall I tell them" (Exodus 3:13 NIV)?

Later Moses would receive God's law, and one of the 10 major laws given to him dealt with the name of God. The law of God was quite clear when it said, "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name" (Exodus 20:7 NIV). It was important for God's people to know and respect the name of God, because it's in that name that we learn who God is and how He works.

There are numerous names ascribed to God in the Bible. Each of them describes one particular aspect of His character. That's why there's victory in the name of God. As we get to know God as the Creator, we become "creative" in the work that He's given us to do. As we come to know Him as Jehovah Jireh (God, our Provider), we discover that every need we have is met in Him. As we come to know Him as the great "I am," then we experience His ever-present victory.

He delivers us when we call upon His name, and lives are changed when we proclaim His name. There's something very special about His name. A study of the names attributed to God will give you an intimate knowledge of who He is and what He wants to do in your life. There's power andlove in the name of Jesus. There's healing of the heart because of His name.

One day, every knee will bow at the mention of that wonderful name. It's the name that's above every name. In His name, demons fled, the lame walked, the blind saw, the dead came to life, the weak became strong, and lives were made whole. Evil dictators have tried to ban the use of His name, but their efforts have been fruitless. Cynics have mocked His name. Yet, His name remains revered around the world, while their names have been long forgotten. It's the name of God, the very name of Jesus, that brings lasting victory. Study from your heart the names of God, and you will come to know who He is. His name is wonderful!