'In Jesus' name. Amen'

David faced Goliath 'in the name of the Lord'. Names, especially in David's time, carried the authority of whom they referred to, and told a lot about that person. The 'name of the Lord', in particular, has an important history. Going back to the Jerusalem temple, the High Priest would literally carry the name of God to the people: they wore a gold plate on their forehead that had the holy name of the Lord on it. Wearing that mark showed they were carrying the presence of God with them as they ministered his love to the people. This wasn't just a shiny knick-knack; the symbol was a sign of the powerful truth of God's presence. And check out 1 Peter 2:9: We as Christians are now made into those name-carrying High Priests. We now have the same privileged job - carrying his presence into our world.

So when we say, 'In Jesus' name' when closing in prayer, it's not entirely necessary. It's a given. We're living every second in Jesus' name. We're carrying his presence, and power, into every situation, purely by believing in who Jesus is.

So, that Goliath we face? We're taking God's presence right up to it, because if we're there, God's power is too. We have that guarantee written on our forehead.



So what now? Write out the hardest situation you face. Then say to it, 'I come in the name of the Lord,' acknowledging that, because of Jesus, your Goliath is already defeated. 'In Jesus' name. Amen.'





— SCRIPTURE —

'I come ... in the name of the Lord.' 1 Samuel 17:45 NKJV
— SOULFOOD —

Eze 10-13, Matt 15:29-39, Ps 129, Pro 14:25-28