The Key to Unlocking the Power of Jesus' Name

Have you ever wondered what truly unlocks the power of Jesus' name? In this episode of the Confidence in God podcast, host Julie McGhghy takes you on a journey through scripture to explore the extraordinary power found in the name of Jesus — and reveals a surprising golden nugget hidden in a single verse in the Psalms that changes everything.

We know the name of Jesus is exalted above every name (Philippians 2:9-11), that through it we receive forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, and the ability to ask anything of God. But in Psalm 138:2, King David reveals something that stops us in our tracks: God has magnified His word above His name.

What does that mean for us? Listen as Julie explains it. 

Resources: 

 Building Confidence Resources 

Episode Timeline: Total Time 13:57.8

 0:00 — **Introduction** — Welcome to the Confidence in God podcast; episode overview 

0:12 — **Episode Preview** — The power of Jesus' name and the surprising golden nugget from the Psalms 

0:35 — **Resource Mention** — Free resources at confidenceingod.com/resources 

1:12 — **How God Has Exalted Jesus' Name** — Hebrews 1:4 and Philippians 2:9-11 

2:01 — **The Power in Jesus' Name** — Review of scriptures on forgiveness, prayer, the Holy Spirit, and more 

3:35 — **The Golden Nugget** — Psalm 138:2: God has magnified His Word above His name 

7:15 — **Bringing It All Together** — What it means that God magnified His Word above the name of Jesus 

10:59 — **The Word as the Key** — Scriptures on the power of God's Word in our lives 

11:24 — **Closing Prayer** — Prayer for every listener to grab hold of the Word 

12:30 — **Resource Reminder** — confidenceingod.com/resources 

12:50 — **Outro** — Subscribe, share, rate/review, and closing encouragement

Transcript

Speaker 0:01

Hello, and welcome to the Confidence in God podcast. I am your host, Julie McGhghy, and our goal today is to help you walk with confidence in God.

Speaker 0:12

Aren't you just amazed at the power of the name of Jesus? Today's episode may seem like a simple review of that power, yet will end with a surprising gold nugget lifted out of one verse in the Psalms, and that nugget enables you to unlock the power of Jesus' name.

Speaker 0:35

Before we get started, I invite you to check out some resources on my website at confidenceingod.com/resources. "Five Steps to Experience More Confidence in God" will help you experience more confidence in Him generally, and how to have confidence in your prayer life will help you have more confidence in prayer. I'll drop the link to the resource page of the website in the show notes for your convenience. Just click on that link, then click on one or both of the resources on that page. Both are immediately and freely available to you.

Speaker 1:12

Before looking at the power in Jesus' name, let's see how God has exalted it. The author of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 1:4 that the name of Jesus is more excellent than the name of the angels. In fact, the Apostle Paul explains in Philippians 2:9-11 that God has exalted that name above every name "so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on Earth and under the Earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father." The name of Jesus is more excellent than the name of the angels, and God has exalted it above every name.

Speaker 2:01

Now, as I said a moment ago, let's quickly review the power that is in the name of Jesus. We know there is great power in that name.

Speaker 2:11

According to Acts 2:38, we are forgiven and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when we are baptized in that name.

Speaker 2:20

Then there are many scriptures that let us know we can ask anything in that name, which means asking consistently with His character and His presence, and we will receive it. This is found in Matthew 18:20, John 14:13-14, John 16:13, and Mark 16:17 to name a few places.

Speaker 2:46

In the name of Jesus, God has given us the Holy Spirit to teach us according to John 14:26.

Speaker 2:56

And then to top it all off, we are to do all things in that powerful name of Jesus according to Colossians 3:17.

Speaker 3:08

Hallelujah. Don't you love thinking about and talking about the powerful name of Jesus? Everything is in that name, and we have the privilege of speaking that name, calling upon that name, doing everything in that name. Could it get any better?

Speaker 3:32

Well, actually, yes.

Speaker 3:35

Let's consider that gold nugget I told you about a moment ago. We find it in only one verse, which is quite surprising to me that God speaks about it in this way only once in His word. It's actually King David who reveals it in Psalm 138:2, which states, "I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above thy name." The name of Jesus is so powerful, and yet God has magnified His word above that name. The original word used for magnify in this context is "gadal." Considering other contexts where "gadal" is used helps us see the significance of the fact that God has magnified His word above the name of Jesus.

Speaker 4:33

First, let's look at Joshua in Joshua 3:7 and also 4:14. God magnified Joshua in the sight of Israel. The result was that Israel feared Joshua as they had Moses. In this context, fear refers to standing in awe or respecting Joshua and Moses. So God increased Joshua's respect among the people.

Speaker 5:02

Then also consider Solomon. In 1 Kings 1:37, before King David died, he asked God to magnify Solomon by making his throne greater than even King David's throne. His servants also blessed King David by asking God to do the same in verse 47 of that same chapter. We can read 1 Chronicles 29:25 and 1 Kings 10:23 to find out how God honored David's and his servants' requests. He magnified Solomon so that King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth, including King David, in majesty, riches, and wisdom.

Speaker 5:51

We've seen here how God magnifies men, causing them to increase in the respect of the people, in riches, and in wisdom. That is pretty significant. I would certainly want God to magnify me, and I would want to pray as David did that God magnify my children.

Speaker 6:12

God also magnifies Himself. According to Ezekiel 38:23, God magnifies Himself so that all people in all nations will know that He is God.

Speaker 6:27

But we must not overlook that we can magnify. David sings in Psalm 34:3 and Psalm 69:30 about magnifying God. In this context, David is praising God, making God more significant in David's own life, heart, and mind. As he encourages others to also magnify the Lord, God's significance in the lives, hearts, and minds of those who join David is also increased. And when we magnify God by praying and praising and worshiping Him, He becomes more significant in our lives, hearts, and minds.

Speaker 7:15

Let's wrap all of this together so we can identify that gold nugget I spoke of at the beginning of this episode. What is the significance of God magnifying His word above His name? God magnifies men. They receive increased respect, riches, and wisdom. By magnifying Himself above all men and spirits, He leaves no room for any other God besides Him. And when we magnify God by prayer, praise, and worship, God becomes more significant in our own lives, hearts, and minds. Each of these contexts illustrate that magnifying someone increases the significance of that person. But how does that apply to God magnifying His word above His name?

Speaker 8:15

We also learned the name of Jesus is more excellent than the angels and is above every name. That name will cause every knee to bow and tongue to confess that He is Lord. We receive salvation, including forgiveness, baptism, and the Holy Ghost through His name. We ask anything in His name, and He will give it or do it. The Holy Ghost teaches us in His name, and everything we do and say is to be done in His name. All of this seems very significant, doesn't it? Is it possible that there is anything greater, more significant than this?

Speaker 9:06

Yes, a thousand times yes.

Speaker 9:11

He has magnified His word above His name. He has made His word more significant than His name. Why would that be? Well, here it is, that golden nugget. Because without knowing His word, we cannot know how to access the power of His name. We must know His word. It is the key, the significance to unlocking the power of the name of Jesus.

Speaker 9:52

The word is a light unto our paths and a lamp unto our feet, according to Psalm 119:105. So we can walk in His ways and do everything in His name.

Speaker 10:04

For they, referring to God's words, are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh, according to Proverbs 4:22.

Speaker 10:15

And then Psalm 119:11 tells us the word that we hide in our hearts keeps us from sin.

Speaker 10:23

The word cleanses us, according to John 15:3.

Speaker 10:28

And the word builds us up and gives us an inheritance, according to Acts 20:32.

Speaker 10:35

1 Thessalonians 2:13 lets us know that the word effectively works in us.

Speaker 10:43

Colossians 1:6 tells us that it is the word that brings forth fruit in our lives.

Speaker 10:50

And James tells us in James 1:21 the word saves our souls.

Speaker 10:59

All praise be to God. He has given us power in His name, and the key to unlocking that power is His word. And there are so many more scriptures that tell us about the power of Jesus' name. As we spend time in His word, know His word, and pray His word, we can unlock the power of Jesus' name.

Speaker 11:24

Oh, precious Jesus, we come to you right now. I want to pray for every person, Lord Jesus, who is listening to this episode. Help them grab hold of this key. Help them to realize that the power of your name, the power that is in your name, is available to every one of us. If we don't feel we are able to exercise that power, I pray, Lord Jesus, that we will see, we will grab hold of this golden nugget, Lord Jesus, that's hidden in a Psalm by King David. That if we will know your word, spend time in it, and pray it, that will unlock the power in your name for each of us. Let that be so, Lord Jesus. I pray each one will reach toward that word and will just gain a new hunger for your word to apply it in their lives. In Jesus' name, amen.

Speaker 12:31

Now, as I mentioned earlier, I invite you to check out the resources in my website at confidenceingod.com/resources to help you experience more confidence in God generally, and in prayer more specifically. Just click the link in the show notes and click on one or both of the resources.

Speaker 12:50

That's it for today. I hope you found this episode helpful. If you did, please take a second to subscribe to our show so you'll be notified when future episodes come out. It would also be helpful if you would share with your friends and loved ones, as well as rating or reviewing it so more people can find out about it.

Speaker 13:12

I would really love to hear from you. Let me know how you are unlocking the power of Jesus' name by being in the Word and praying it.

Speaker 13:21

I so appreciate those of you who have contacted me with your prayer requests. Please know that I pray for you daily. If you need prayer, please reach out to me and let me support you in prayer. Also, as you experience the answers to those prayers, and I know you do, please share your praise report with me. I want to rejoice with you also.

Speaker 13:47

Until next time, let's be confident in this, that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.