The Divine self-made name.
"So didst thou get [make] thee a name, as it is this day." "What is thy name?" is a question asked of God by thoughtful men in all ages. How shall we conceive and speak of God? The answer is found in the various manifestations he has made of himself. He is the maker and publisher of his own name.
I. THE WAYS BY WHICH GOD HAS MADE FOR HIMSELF A NAME.
1. By his works. Of nature, providence, miracle, grace.
2. By his word. Directly instructing men how to think and speak of him, and enabling them to interpret his works.
3. Preeminently by the manifestation of himself in his Son. The character, teaching, and works of Christ present a perfect revelation of the invisible God. "I have declared thy name, and will declare it" (John 17:26).
II. THE NAME HE HAS THUS MADE FOR HIMSELF. The Almighty, All-wise, All-good, the Holy, Just, Faithful, Merciful, Terrible, Father and Saviour of all, especially of believers, LOVE, etc.
III. ITS ENDURANCE. "As it is this day." He remains the same; his name is so written that it can never be blotted out, so proclaimed that it shall resound through the world, through the universe, for ever.
IV. WHY HE HAS MADE HIMSELF SUCH A NAME. For his own glory, and for the benefit of his creatures; that they may fear, trust, love, worship, and obey him, and thus be saved and blessed. Finally, we shall at length in our own personal experience know and illustrate the name of God. Which part of his name? This depends on how we are affected by and towards it now.