Reading: Exodus 34:5-7 and Psalm 105:1-11

Here God proclaims his name and some of His wonderful attributes. First God reveals He is “The LORD, the LORD God”. LORD, or Jehovah, means “I am who I am”. God is eternal, self-sufficient, the source of all being, and faithful to everything He says.

When we experience hardship, sorrow or anxiety, we should remember that God never changes and is faithful to His promises. He does not forsake us.  We cling to what God promises in Romans 8:28 and 39 that “all things work together for good to those who love God”; nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” With Psalm 119:89-90 we confess “Forever, O LORD, your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you established the earth, and it abides.”

The name God is added to reveal His mighty power; there is no one greater in power. He holds all the power (Romans 13:1). God is able to do anything He wants. With His power He upholds and cares for everything. This power is given to Jesus Christ; Revelation 5:12 says “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

As we confess in the Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s day 21, Jesus Christ uses this power by which He “gathers, defends, and preserves for Himself, by His Spirit and Word, in the unity of the true faith, a church chosen to everlasting life. And I believe that I am and forever shall remain a living member of it”.

Furthermore, “He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation” (Lord’s Day 1).

This gives Israel, and us, great comfort and assurance for the future.

Key text: Ex 34:6 “And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God”.

Question: What do we learn from God’s revelation that He is “The LORD, the LORD God”?