#70 “Understanding the Power in the Name of Jesus”

(Called By Name) Pt.2

“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you,

O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine.”

[Isaiah 43:1-2]

English Standard Version (ESV)

In our last lesson we taught on being called by name and the importance of knowing what the meaning of your name is. For often therein lies the key to your purpose and destiny. As you may recall Eve was so named because she was going to be the mother of all mankind because it means “Life-Giver”, but she was also to be Adam’s wife as well. 

Let’s take a look at some other name meanings say for instance;

v  Abram – which was Abraham’s name prior to God changing it; Abram name meant “exalted father” or “high father”. However “Abraham means “father of a multitude,” so why do you think God changed his name?  It was because God had given him a promise saying, “Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.” (Gen 18:18)  Do you see how his name spoke of his destiny and purpose?

v  Jacob’s names meaning wasn’t very good at first because it meant, “supplanter,” “trickster or deceiver”  but God changed his name to “Israel,” which means “He will rule as God” or “prince of God.” Israel’s name declared that he would be a ruling nation and God’s representatives in this earth, “The whole Earth is mine to choose from, but you’re special: a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.”(Exodus 19:6)

v  Simon (Peter) who many of us know because he was such a fighter, his name meant, “hearing,” but after he declared to Jesus, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God! Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, (rock) and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:16-18)

 Can you see how in every instance the name spoke the destiny of each of these people? God places great significance on our names, because we are made in the image of God, and just like God our names speak of who God has made us to be. “Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called me from the womb; from the body of my mother he named my name.” (Isaiah 49:1-26)  Do you know what that means? Each time someone calls your name they are declaring your purpose and destiny. Although I did not know it at the time, there was a reason I would get upset when people would mispronounce my name. It was because they changed the meaning of who I was, God called me Mardina –“Teacher a keeper of things sacred a helpful spirit.”

 

Isn't that’s just like Satan trying to pervert our destinies. He takes us away from the things that will define us and start to put labels on us, bad girl, Whore, drug addict, alcoholic, thief and liar. These labels are intended to make us think that’s who we truly are. Just as god changed the names of some of the patriots in the bible, he will change our names back to reflect his call on our lives. After a while we begin to believe that we are what Satan and the world has labeled us, but we aren’t. God declared who we were before we were even formed in our mother’s wombs and nothing can change it but Him!!!!

I recall when I was preparing to leave the first time to the mission field, which was also during the time I was taking the “Purity with Purpose” course. One morning during my morning devotion, the Lord spoke to me these words, “And thou shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. Though shall no more be termed “Forsaken;”neither shall your land any more be termed desolate But you shall be called Hephzibah [My delight is in her], and your land Beulah; [owned and protected by the Lord].For the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a virgin so shall your sons marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” (Isaiah 62:4-5)

Now this scripture came at a critical time when I was preparing to leave the country and go minister to people in a foreign country. But what’s more important was that I was divorced and was feeling that God had made a mistake by choosing me. I felt abandon, rejected and forsaken and was not dealing with the prospect of facing people who may not understand who I was.  This is the amazing thing about serving our God, He already know that I was feeling disqualified for this assignment.  But in His infant wisdom He changed my name! Society had already brand and labeled me as “D” divorced. Now every time I filled out an application I had to answer the question: What is your marital status? Married, divorced or single, I felt ashamed every time I had to answer that question. But God changed my name and called me Hephzibah”My delight is in her” Beulah “owned and protected by the Lord.” Now how do you think that made me feel?

This is why there is such a need for the people of God to know the meaning of their names; then they can begin to walkout their God given destinies as God intended.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You calling us by name.  Thank You choosing us from among the multitudes of people in this world to be called Your own.  Just as you called Abraham, Israel and Peter not by their names according to their birth; You called them by their names according to your promise to them.  Heavenly Father, we thank you for calling us by our names, which are according to Your Promise to us. As we learn what your plans and purpose for our lives teach us how to walk in them. We pray these things in Jesus name. Amen!!!

 

Have A Bless Day…Go in God’s Peace! 

Follow this link to "Morning by Morning" http://prayin4you.blogspot.com

Sign up to receive the daily post Via Email also

before you leave Join to become a member of

Morning by Morning