March 31, 2010
A couple of years ago I picked up a news item from a religious service. The title of the article was “No Yahweh” in songs, prayers at Catholic Masses, Vatican Rules.
I was rather intrigued by the article since our children grew up singing, among other songs, “El Shaddai” sung by Amy Grant, and written by Michael Card and John Thompson. Of course El Shaddai is Hebrew for “God Almighty.” So why did our Catholic friends take the name “Yahweh” out of their prayers and songs at Mass? I wanted to know the answer since we taught our children from early on that God had a personal name, and it was “Yahweh.” We taught them other Old Testament names for God that described His attributes and character qualities. Some of those names are from Hebrew: El Elyon, “Lord God Almighty”; Adonai, “Lord, Master”; Jehovah Nissi, “The Lord My Banner”;
Jehovah Tsidkenu, “The Lord our Righteousness.”
I think you will appreciate why the Psalmist wrote, “Let them praise the name of the Lord: for His name alone is excellent; His glory is above the earth and heaven.” (Psalm 148:13)
But the name “Yahweh” was removed for what reason? The Vatican wanted to be sensitive to Jewish people who do not pronounce YHWH (God’s name may be written this way – four consonants called the Tetragrammaton.)
Interestingly, without the vowel marks or sounds, no one knows how to pronounce the four letters. William Gesenius (1786-1842) suggested “Yahweh” as the most probable vocalization, based on history of Hebrew and Greek and Samaritan traditions.
I believe Christians want to reverence and respect God’s name. So as I was pondering all this I went back and said, “How did David refer to God in Psalm 23?”
David uses God’s personal name!!! He wrote “Yaheweh” is my Shepherd .…” Why did David do that? He could have several dozen names for God. I believe the answer is this is God’s name—His personal name. I may be called pastor, teacher, Biblical Counselor or even papa, but my personal name is Woody.
Political correctness may get me in trouble with people, but when you cry out in love, worship or praise to our wonderful God, don’t be ashamed to pray, “You ‘Yahweh’ are my Shepherd!”
God Bless,
Woody
The name Lloyd Douglas may not register with you unless you are over fifty years old. But for some of us, it brings fond memories. Mr. Douglas was born in Indiana and even lived in Florence Kentucky for a short time. He graduated from Wittenberg College and pastored churches in Indiana, Ohio, and Washington, D.C.
When he was fifty years old he left the ministry and started a writing career. He wrote three of my favorite books: The Robe, The Big Fisherman, and Magnificent Obsession.
While still in college and living in a boarding house, Mr. Douglas tells several wonderful things he remembered. On the first floor, a retired wheel-chair-bound music professor resided. Each morning Douglas would stick his head in the door of the teacher’s apartment and ask the same question, “Well, what’s the good news?” The old man would pick up his tuning fork, tap it on the side of his wheelchair, and say, “That’s middle C! It was middle C yesterday; it will be middle C tomorrow; it will be middle C a thousand years from now. The tenor upstairs sings flat. The piano across the hall is out of tune; but my friend, that is middle C.”
If I had a gift to give all people on planet earth (other than salvation), this would be it: enough change!! We all need to know that we’ll not have more changes in our health or in relationships or jobs or church. Even the weather changes. Sometimes we like that and sometimes we do not.
Don’t you love the truth of Hebrews 13:8? “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
God is in charge! He is still in the business of being Sovereign and we can still call on Him for help, comfort, encouragement and peace. Why? Because He changes not.
He is our middle C!
God Bless,
Woody
Statistics tell us a lot about our times. Currently two million Americans live in nursing homes. Fifty million Americans alive now are expected to spend their last days in a nursing home.
The population of Americans over sixty-five will grow from thirty-four million to fifty three million by 2020, according to the Census Bureau forecasts. The over-eighty-five-year-old population will nearly double to seven million by 2020.
When you think of “age” do you think Biblically? Listen to a few words from Scripture:
“You shall rise up before the grayheaded and honor the aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the LORD.” Lev. 19:32
“Wisdom is with aged men, with long life is understanding.” Job 12:12
“King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon while he was still alive, saying, ‘How do you counsel me to answer this people?’” 1 Kings 12:6
“O God, You have taught me from my youth, and I still declare Your wondrous deeds.
And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.” Psalm 71:17-18
All our times are in God’s hands! God’s gift of time and age is unknown to all of us. That is why we are to redeem time—use it for God’s glory and other’s benefit. Paul said it this way, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16
Do you remember the famous line by the comedian Groucho Marx? He said, “Age is not a particularly interesting subject. Anyone can get old. All you have to do is live long enough.”
Age is a touchy subject for people—even Christians. We try to hide it, camouflage it, deny it, and lie about it. Why? Are we not at peace with this gift from God—age?
My prayer for you today—no matter your age, is this: “God, teach us to number our days, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 96:12
God Bless your time!
Woody
Two thousand years ago this story occurred.
“Six days before Passover, Jesus entered Bethany where Lazarus, so recently raised from the dead, was living. Lazarus and his sisters invited Jesus to dinner at their home. Martha served. Lazarus was one of those sitting at the table with them. Mary came in with a jar of very expensive aromatic oils, anointed and massaged Jesus' feet, and then wiped them with her hair. The fragrance of the oils filled the house.”
“Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, even then getting ready to betray him, said, "Why wasn't this oil sold and the money given to the poor? It would have easily brought three hundred silver pieces." He said this not because he cared two cents about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of their common funds, but also embezzled them.”
“Jesus said, ‘Let her alone. She's anticipating and honoring the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you. You don't always have me.’” --John 12:1-8, The Message
As we look back 2000 years at this story, did you see, hear and smell?
Did you smell the pint of pure nard used to anoint Jesus’ feet? The whole room was full of the fragrance of Mary’s love and devotion to Jesus.
Did you hear the outrageous comments of Judas? Judas tells us it is a waste to use this expensive nard on Jesus’ feet. (It was equal to 300 denarii or approximately 300 day’s wages.) Listen to Jesus’ response to Judas, “Let her alone. She’s anticipating and honoring the day of my burial.”
Do you see the contrast? Judas is full of the deadly sins of greed and covetousness and even dishonesty. Do you see the generous gift of Mary of Bethany at the opposite side of the room? She loves and adores her Savior. She is devoted to Him. Money is only a tool to surrender to God so that others are benefited and He gets the glory. Mary was not stingy but extraordinarily generous.
Do you remember the C.S. Lewis quote that fits Judas here? Lewis wrote, “Of all bad men religious bad men are the worst.”
Go out and give generously of your money, time, and energy for the glory of God!!
God Bless,
Woody
