Absolute name-changer
by Jeremy Lie
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No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations (Genesis 17:5).
Read Genesis 17:1–7,15,16
What I find most interesting in this passage is that God changes Abram’s name to Abraham, the father of many nations, before Abraham even has a child with Sarah. Likewise, Sarai becomes Sarah, a name tied to royalty and promise. God speaks identity before fulfilment. God names what will be despite what currently is. Part of walking faithfully before God, then, is learning to live into the name God gives us, even when circumstances seemingly contradict it.
Names are an important part of our lives. They distinguish us from one another, give us identity and have the power to influence the way we think and act. God knew this. Not just in this instance, but throughout the Bible, we find God naming and renaming people. From Jacob to Israel, from Simon to Peter and from Saul to Paul. There is power and purpose when God changes a name. But there are other people in Scripture who change names not for good, but for evil.
In Daniel, he is seized along with three others, and the chief official in the foreign land changed their names: Daniel becomes Belteshazzar, Hananiah becomes Shadrach, Mishael becomes Meshach and Azariah becomes Abednego. The purpose of changing the young men’s names was to help erase their attachment to their own nation and religion, to help them forget their true identity in God.
I wonder what names you have been given, by others or even ourselves. I’m not talking about legal titles, but those names that label our souls and give us a sense of our value, our identity, our purpose. Nasty, old, irrelevant, too much. Child of God, friend of Jesus, forgiven, free.
What names do you wear and identify with that draw you into God’s purpose for your life, and which pull you away from it? Perhaps it’s time to rename your purpose and step into the promise that God has placed on your life. Even if hope is 99 per cent gone, God is not done with you yet. God’s promises often unfold slowly and in ways we don’t expect or understand. Nevertheless, God is still El Shadai, God Almighty. God is still the God who renames, restores and keeps covenant right up until the last minute.
Jesus, help us to remember who we truly are in you. Even when the world tries to label us in ways that distract or deter us from the truth of your promise, be our restorer, our reminder, our re-namer. Help us fully live out the potential you have created us for. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Jeremy worships at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rochedale, Queensland. It is there that he volunteers to coordinate Our Saviour Youth and works alongside the worship team to organise their monthly ALTER worship service. He also enjoys playing in the band and making coffee after services.
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