THE NAME(S) OF THE LORD

Acts 26:15

[Paul speaking] "...Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied."


I really like this sequence of events: Saul/Paul is traveling along tending to the business of the Pharisees' (which he and others have defined as persecuting Christians); a bright flash of light stuns and throws everyone to their knees; Paul is keen enough to know this is not normal and may be a "God" event (not so for others in his party); a voice then asks (previous verse 14), "Saul, Saul why do you persecute me?" That brings us to our passage today. By now Saul/Paul must have been thinking this whole experience would not be explainable in physical science terms because he hears a voice from the light calling him by name, so he asks a really logical question, "Who are you, Lord?"
As I asked the Lord for insight into our passage today, I puzzled over Saul/Paul's question. He clearly recognized the light and the voice involved an encounter with God, but did he know which facet of God he was actually encountering? Some of you might think that's a pretty academic question, after all God is God, right? It's not that easy. For example, after a quick (and not too thorough) search, I found the Bible has multiple names/descriptions of God. Let's look at a few of these:
Adonai: Lord, master, owner.

Elohim: Creator.

El Shaddai: The all sufficient one.

El Roi: The God who sees.

Jehovah Raah: The Lord is our shepherd.

Jehovah Rapha: The Lord is our healer.
When a Biblical writer "names" God, he is describing an aspect or trait that God wants us to know and understand. Our refined perception of God who He "is" through this definition can dramatically influence our direction. In our passage today, the Lord answered, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." We all know how that change in perspective completely altered Saul/Paul's direction in life.


Do a little Biblical research -- find out some of the many names God uses to describe Himself. You will be amazed at how the Lord speaks to you through these names. Psalm 9:10, "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." The next time you are in prayer over a significant event or need in your life, you might want to steal a page from Paul/Saul's playbook and ask, "Who are you, Lord?" Your answer might very well be in the name of the Lord.