Thursday: 11th April, 2019
Reference text: Genesis 17:3-9
Genesis 17:5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
While many will see this as a flimsy reason for separation, there have been incidences where a couple have had to break up because one party did not agree with the name chosen for their child. In 2011, it was even reported that an Australian Court had to step in to choose a name for a young girl. So in such contexts, we may consider these questions: ‘what is in a name and why is choosing a good one considered a big deal?
A person’s name is the one thing they are likely to hear everyday. In it lies an identity, sometimes a status and for others, their purpose for living. Therefore, we can clearly see that a name is a big deal. Today, we read in the book of Genesis about Abraham, whose name was changed from Abram.
In his story, two facts can be seen:
1. a clear reason is evident for the change: ‘Abraham’s first name did not cover the entirety of the plans of God for his life.
2. the decision for the change of name from Abram to Abraham was not based on a whim, but a plan.
Saint Paul writes that Abraham believed and hoped, even when there was no reason for hoping, and so became “the father of many nations.”(Romans 4:18). This makes more sense when we consider the meaning of his name ‘father of multitudes’. His new name was a reason for him to remain expectant and set his focus on the promise of having descendants as many as the stars in the sky.
Beloved, every change of name in the word of God was accompanied by an expected change in the direction of a person’s life. Our identities have been altered and our names changed to ‘children of God & heirs of the promise’. Therefore, we also need to experience an associated change of life to reflect this transformation.
Remember # it may not seem like a big deal to you, but your name ‘CHILD OF GOD’; really is a big deal, so live out your name’
#sly
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