“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
Abram had only one child at this point, and that was through his wife’s maid, Hagar. Ishmael was not a full child by birth of Abram and Sarai. Yet, God changes Abram’s name to Abraham. This name means “father of many nations”.
God had changed Abram’s name before the event fully happened. He had called Abram to be separate and to become a father to many nations, so He had given him the name that would mean that.
In the Bible, and especially in the Old Testament, names usually carried a lot of meaning for the person. There are some countries today where the name still carries meaning for a person. In the USA it is not as common. Here it is titles that carry meaning for a person. When a person has a title, it reveals who they are or what they can do.
As a believer you have also had a name change. Once you started following Jesus, you are called “a child of God”. Prior to that you were a child of the devil. You are also called a disciple and a friend of Jesus. Every believer is also called to be an evangelist–a witness, and to be a light in this dark world.
When God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, he had to live up to that name. He had to become the father of many nations. He was not able to do it on his own, but through God’s power and provision, he could do it.
What name has God called you today?
Are you living up to that name?
Or are you staying with your old self and the old name you had?
God has something greater in store for you than what this world has to offer. Your parents may mean very well in your upbringing, but God has something even better for you. Seek what God has for you. Embrace it and live in it today.
I pray today that you will know the name God is calling you; that you will know the purpose God has for you; that you will live up to the name God has called you; and that God will strengthen and guide you in the path He has for your life.
I’m trying out this whole blogging thing. Using it as a diary to get the creative juices flowing. I plan on evolving my page into something more informative related to fashion. My first article is about changing my name. Reading this really helped. Thank you for this
Remember that a physical name is only temporary. What God calls you is for eternity. You are called His child. Live in what He has for you. Thanks for stopping by my blog.