Our oldest daughter, Brittany, and her husband, Josiah, lost their first baby. He had trisomy 18 and lived an amazing seven hours that changed our lives. He was named Josiah after his dad. We call him J. To honor J’s life, a group of friends arranged for a large black gum tree to be planted in Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park. On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, friends and family took part in planting the tree, then gathered around it to thank God for the impact J had on all of us. Brittany and Josiah have since had another baby. They named her Schenley. This beautiful little girl is special on her own merits. And her name holds an extra special meaning.

A name is more than a combination of letters. A name represents character and personality. When we hear a name, we think of a person, and our emotions are stirred. So it is with God. In Scripture, there are many names for God that help us understand who he is and what he does. These attributes and actions allow us to see deeper into his person and respond in a way that honors him.

Psalm 9:10
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Today, we begin a series focused on the names of God. Our prayer is that this knowledge of God, learned, in part, by studying his names, will help us fall in love with him all over again. My friend, Tunch Ilkin, would say that if you want to know God more intimately, study his names. So, let’s study his names together.

My prayer is that this series will help us know God more intimately, love him more passionately, and follow him wholeheartedly. Like the psalmist said, “…those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”

Heavenly Father,
As we begin this study of your names, please be our teacher. Show us why you chose each name for yourself. Show us who you are. Help us know you by your names so we can trust and follow you. And thank you that you will never forsake those who seek you.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.