Psalm 79:9-13; Acts 15:12-18, Declaring God’s Name

God’s desire is that His people, that is, those who trust in His name, should bear that name and declare that name before the world.  This was God’s purpose in calling Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt.  Indeed, for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth (Ex. 9:16).  This “declaring His name” is the only logical response to the God of glory and love.  As He shows His power in His people, they will give Him praise; they will experience His love they will respond by telling others. 

This idea that God’s name would be seen in His people is a recurring theme in the Old Testament:

·       Deut. 28:10: In obeying the Law, Israel would be established as God’s holy people.  Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you.

·       2 Sam. 7:23: God redeemed Israel from slavery in Egypt to make for Himself a name, and He did this so that Egypt, the nations, and their gods could see.

·       2 Chron. 7:14: Another way God’s name could be seen by the nations would be when, in their sin, His people who are called by My name turned from their sin and He forgave them.  God wants all the earth to know that “forgiveness” is associated with His name.

·       Psa. 79:9: Another way Israel would declare God’s name was in prayer.  Salvation and deliverance were to be sought for the glory of Your name and for Your name’s sake.

·       Isa. 63:19: When Israel turned away from the Lord they became like those who were never called by Your name. 

·       Jer. 15:16: Jeremiah lived in the midst of a disobedient Israel.  Yet, because he was called by Your name, he was faithful to receive the word of God.  That is a tremendous thing, that associated with the name of the Lord is His word. 

·       Dan. 9:19: While living in Babylon, as the seventy years of captivity neared an end, Daniel knew he could call upon God to forgive Israel, for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people who are called by Your name.

The early Church, at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15), concluded that God was working among the Gentiles (Nations) to take out of them a people for His name (v14) so that the rest of mankind may seek the LORD, even the Gentiles who are called by My name (v17).  God’s people today are those who have believed in the name of Jesus (John 1:12).  Like Israel, these believers are called to declare to the nations, the gospel (good news) that is associated with the name of Jesus (Acts 8:5,35; 9:20).  Nothing else makes sense for us, as believers in Christ, but to declare to the world, His name and the forgiveness and salvation that is associated with His name.