In biblical cultures, a name did more than identify; it communicated something of the essence, the character, or the reputation of the person or thing named. Therefore, seeing the name of God means you are to see the essence (the very nature) of who He is, identify His character and recognized His reputation. In other words, you are to discerned who He is in every situation in life. (Hebrews 5:14)
When you say “yes” to God, you allow Him to teach you how to operate in the Spirit by looking beyond the surface of the outward appearance of your spouse, of people or the trials of life, and into the very nature of who they really are and what you are to learn in the trial. He is able to teach you how to see and love like He sees and loves.
To reveal the life of God you must train your soul to work in cooperation with His thought pattern. This is the way you look at life in the Kingdom of Heaven and reveal the heart of your “yes.”
The Hebrew conception of man was composed of “the inner self” and “the outer appearance” i.e., what one is to oneself and what one appears to those who observe him. The inner person was nephesh to the Hebrews, while the outer person was reputation, shem, “name.” In other words, your personal relationship with God is nephesh and how you reveal your “yes” in that relationship is your reputation (your beliefs or opinions that are generally held about God).
From the word that means “to see” comes the Hebrew word ro-eh which means an observer, a spectator or a prophet. The prophet does not give out his own message, but declares what he has seen, what God has shown him or her. When you see God’s name in your life, circumstances, in your spouse, or the future, you can freely reveal life and declare what He is showing you when He tells you to do so.
The Hebrew word for obey means “to hear so clearly, that you understand so well, that you do the bidding of or submit to naturally.” When we see the name so clearly that we understand, it is not a difficult decision to obey.
I have often heard that the Christian life would be easy if it wasn’t for the “obeying” part. I totally disagree. I believe that when you see the truth, obeying is an obvious and natural choice.
How hard is it to quit drinking sewage after you understand what it really is? How hard is it to repent when you understand the wrong that you have really done? How hard is it to praise God when you see Him for who He is? Obedience is not difficult when we see the name.
What we are talking about is faith. Faith that will act, that will obey. The New Testament agrees with the Hebrew word picture when it tells us in Romans 10: 17 that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” A vibrant, obedient, acting faith comes from a hearing that sees the name.
What would happen if you saw God as He truly is? What if you saw and understood that He is the all-wise, all-knowing, all-powerful God who loves you? How would you act differently? What would your yes look like as a result of you seeing the name of God? What is it that we all need to hear so clearly that we understand, and to understand so totally that we obey? Deuteronomy 6:4-5 gives us the answer.
The Hebrew word for “fear” is y-ray which needs several words to be accurately translated. The words “awe” and “respect” must be added to fear to accurately translate y-ray. The word picture agrees with the Hebrew concept of this word and shows us that there is a secret to this type of fear. It tells us that we will always fear the hand that we see.
In the fear of the LORD there is a strong confidence and His children will have refuge. Proverbs 14:26. Those that see the hand of the LORD will see His awesome power, His refuge and His table set before them – in the midst of their enemies.
When Corrie Ten Boom and Richard Wurmbrand faced the Nazi’s and the Communists, they were not overcome by the oppression and cruelty during the years they suffered in concentration camps and prisons. They saw the hand of God and knew who was in control. Refuge in any situation will come when you “fear” i.e. see the hand of God.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” Proverbs 9:10a. The only road to wisdom is to “fear God.” When you begin to see how awesome, how powerful, how just and how loving He is, your understanding of your marriage and of life’s crisis will begin to change. Even though you are not facing a Nazi concentration camp, wisdom will grow as you see the reality of God in everyday situations like your marriage, finances, employment, and purpose. Wisdom will begin to grow in you when, instead of seeing the power of the enemy, you see the hand of God.
Whose hand are you saying “yes” to? What name do you see written on the hand? Is it Intimidation? You’re not qualified? You’re going to get hurt? Why does this always happen to me? You can’t do it? They’re better than me so why should I try? When you see these names, what does your “yes” look like? Do you obey them by complaining, gossiping, running away from the situation or simply do nothing towards going for your dreams and purpose, or to making your marriage better?
“I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me.” Psalms 23:4b. If you do not see God’s hand, then all you can see and fear is the hand of man, circumstances and past hurts. David saw the hand of the Living God instead of the hand of Goliath. Walking with God puts all other powers in a new perspective.
Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with my righteous hand.
You can put demonic forces under your feet, do some incredible things that you never thought possible and change the course of your destiny when you say to God and your spouse, “My answer is Yes!”
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