What’s in a name? It depends a great deal on what your name is. I was given the name Craig by my parents, In School, I picked up the name Chuck, which was confusing since I had an older brother named Chuck. Then to really make this strange they started to call me Brother Chuck, (aka B.C) since I was going to be a pastor. The name that I liked the best was “Dad” when my son would call. Today I answer to “Vicar” but soon it will be “Pastor” while these may not technically be called names they are given to us as a way to recognize who we are or what we do.
God has many names in the Bible, but nowhere in all the pages of Scripture is there a set of names more treasured, or beloved as the list Isaiah gives in Chapter 9,
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Isaiah 9:6
Each title is fitting and describes another part of God’s amazing unchanging, and eternal character. Have you ever pondered the amazing contrast that Isaiah gives us in this list of names? A child, yet a Mighty God, a son, yet an Everlasting Father, and also a Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace. What is more amazing yet is that this is but a small sampling of names and titles given to God. Why does God have so many titles? I believe it is because human language can not fully describe the character and nature of God.
Last night I watched a special remembering the life of 43, Former President HW Bush. In a touching memory, the president said that what he remembers most about his daughter Robin who died of leukemia at such a young age, was her expression “I love you more than tongue can tell.” I think this would be a fitting description of God’s relationship with us, there are just not enough words, not tongue can tell just how much he loves us.