Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

The Holy Spirit is guiding me to devote this week to a Thanksgiving’s prequel, which is appreciation.

Oxford Languages defines appreciation as recognizing the full worth of.

Accordingly, it seems fitting to begin our devotion to appreciation with recognizing who God is.

Today’s scripture, Proverbs 9:10 (AMP), instructs…
[10] The [reverent] fear of the LORD [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence], And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.

Consider…
Oxford Languages defines Lord, the noun, as someone or something having power, authority, or influence; a master or ruler.

However, I recently learned that there’s a difference in the Bible between LORD (all caps) and Lord. For example, Psalms 8:1 (NLT) uses both when it declares…
[1] O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens.

So what’s the distinction? According to Christianity.com…

• When the word “lord” is found in all lower-case letters, it’s representing the word ʼâdôwn, aw-done’, or (shortened) ʼâdôn; from an unused root (meaning to rule).
• When the word “Lord” is found in standard capitalization, it’s representing the word ‘ădônây, ad-o-noy’, the Lord (used as a proper name of God only): (my) Lord.
• When the word LORD is found in all capital letters, it’s representing the word yeh-ho-vaw’; (the) self-Existent or Eternal, the Jewish national name of God.

The last definition led me to look up Exodus 6:2-3 (NLT), which explains…
[2] And God said to Moses, “I am Yahweh—‘the LORD.’ [3] I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty’—but I did not reveal my name, Yahweh, to them.

This means the Psalmist in Psalm 8 was saying, “O YHWH, my God!”

Also, whenever I think about God declaring who He is, I have to run to Exodus 3:14 (KJV), which shares…
[14] And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

This makes me conclude that God refers to Himself in all caps. Therefore, when reading scripture, it’s important that we pay close attention to how things are written, as much as what is written.

For example, Psalms 23:1 (NLT) says…
[1] The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

That means, David is declaring YHWH is who takes care of him. This shows me that it’s important that when referring to God, we’re specific about whom speaking of. We should always be clear about who we believe in and serve, which is the one True God, ruler of heaven and earth.

Psalms 146:1-6 (NLT) provides a great example of specificity. The Psalmist said…
[1] Praise the LORD! Let all that I am praise the LORD. [2] I will praise the LORD as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath. [3] Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. [4] When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them. [5] But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the LORD their God. [6] He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever.

Or when you tell people that your help comes from God, make sure you’re specific like Psalms 121:1-2 (NLT), which declares…
[1] I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? [2] My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

Be clear that it’s the LORD (YHWH) that you reverently fear and worship in awe.

Thinking more about God declaring who He is, let’s pay attention to John 8:58 (NLT), which says…
[58] Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!”

Jesus declared Himself to be the same preexistent God that spoke to Moses. We know this His declaration is true because John 1:1-4 (NLT) substantiates…
[1] In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He existed in the beginning with God. [3] God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. [4] The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.

Wow, yet another name to associate with God, specifically His Son, The Word!

This just made me think, when we say the Word of God says, we really should be saying Jesus says! I believe saying and living by ‘Jesus says’, demonstrates He is Lord of our lives.

Romans 10:9 (NLT) explains…
[9] If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Notice here we see the proper case ‘Lord’ associated with Jesus’ name. Based on the differentiation provided by Christian.com we know that could have read, “if you openly declare that Jesus is ădônây, or my God…”

This is important because Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT) tells us…
[9] Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

We glorify the LORD by declaring Jesus is our Lord.

I like what Isabel Davis sings…

Hands up hearts open
Wide As the sky
We lift You high
We lift You high

Hands up hearts open
Wide as we cry
God we lift Your name high

Let all the other names fade away
Let all the other names fade away
Until there’s only You

Let all the other names fade away
Jesus take Your place
Jesus take Your place

Those are wonderful lyrics to live by.

I also appreciate the old hymn that says…

The name of Jesus is so sweet,
I love its music to repeat;
It makes my joys full and complete,
The precious name of Jesus.

Jesus! oh, how sweet the name,
Jesus! every day the same;
Jesus! let all saints proclaim
Its worthy praise forever.

Needless to say I could go on and on about recognizing and acknowledging who God is, but the Holy Spirit is directing me to close with this Mark 12:28-30 (NLT), which says…
[28] One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” [29] Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. [30] And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’

Today, make Psalms 103:1-2 (NLT) your life’s theme song…
[1] Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. [2] Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

Appreciate the LORD, by making Jesus your Lord and loving HIM (the Triune God) more than anything!

Today’s Song is…
More Than Anything

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)