What God Calls Himself
What he calls himself.
On the names that reveal his character.
The big idea
God's names are not labels. They are promises.
Opening scripture
“God said to Moses: I AM WHO I AM. Tell them I AM has sent you.”
What does “What God Calls Himself” walk through?
I AM
Exodus 3:14 · KJV
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
In plain English
God said to Moses: I AM WHO I AM. Tell them I AM has sent you.
A Name That Refuses To Be Small
Moses asks for a name and gets a sentence about existence itself. God will not be reduced to a category alongside other gods.
The Lord Is My Shepherd
Psalm 23:1 · KJV
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In plain English
God guides and cares for you like a good shepherd. With him, you have what you truly need.
The Way, The Truth, The Life
John 14:6 · KJV
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
In plain English
Jesus claims to be the true path to God. Knowing him is central to faith.
“Every name God gives himself is an invitation to depend on him for something specific.”
Refuge And Strength
Psalm 46:1 · KJV
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
In plain English
God is a safe place when life is hard. He is not distant—he helps in the middle of trouble.
Names For What You Need
Shepherd for the lost, refuge for the frightened, healer for the broken. The name you need most says something about where you are.
He Rejoices Over You
Zephaniah 3:17 · KJV
The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
In plain English
The Lord your God is with you, a mighty saviour. He will delight in you with joy, quiet you with his love, and rejoice over you with singing.
Pray
God, be to me the name I most need today. Amen.
Write it down
Which name of God do you most need to be true right now?
He is what he says
Not a title. A promise.
Which passages does this journey use?
5 passages, drawn from Exodus 3:14, Psalm 23:1, John 14:6, Psalm 46:1, Zephaniah 3:17. Every verse appears here in the King James text with a plain-English line beside it, so you can read it without a commentary open. Allow about 8 minutes for the whole thing, or 9 short sittings.
- Exodus 3:14
- Psalm 23:1
- John 14:6
- Psalm 46:1
- Zephaniah 3:17
Read any of these in full on the complete KJV, or look the wording up independently at Blue Letter Bible.