Known as, Known By, Known For - The God Who Changes Names

SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 35:9-10

“After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him.  God said to him, ‘Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.’ So he named him Israel.”

OBSERVATION:

God is a God who changes names.  In the old testament a name for a person was given in almost a prophetic way.  Many times it was given as a result of a sense that God had given a promise or a hope for your child.  It was not just what the child was known by, but known for.  It was a defining mark or title.

Even Jesus was given His name because an Angel who carried a message from God told Joseph to give Him the name, Jesus.

Today we are given names because of family tradition - in the south women often take their grandmothers name as their middle name.  We often times name someone something because we think it is pretty or unique.  In either case we don’t give people names of hope or promise as often anymore.  More often it something that they are known by rather than known for.

That being said, there are things, titles, descriptions, that become our identity as we live our lives - angry, sad, wounded, hurtful, victim, lonely, etc..  They may not be our name, but they define our lives and become our identity.  Sometimes to the point that we can’t be known by others or relate to others outside of these identifiers.  while we might not like these titles, they are familiar and easy to settle into.  However, God is a God who changes names - He changes identities by giving us new things to identify with - identifiers that flow from who He is to us and what He desires for us.  Identities that reflect His promises and the hope that he gives all mankind

There was a Vineyard worship song that we sang in the 80’s (yes I said 80’s) by D.J. Butler called I will change your name - It is out of date and anything but cool but I can hardly sing it with out crying.  The words are:

I will change your name
You shall no longer be called
Wounded, outcast, lonely or afraid

I will change your name
Your new name shall be
Confidence, joyfulness, overcoming one
Faithfulness, friend of God
One who seeks My face

APPLICATION:

While there are a lot of things in my life that effect me, they don’t have to define me.  My identity can and should flow from my relationship with God and the hope that He has given me.  He has promised me hope and a future of joy, healing, peace, provision, overcoming, victory, fruitfulness, purpose, fulfillment, love, relationship, faithfulness....  I can’t wait ‘till these things overwhelm me before I let them define me.  This can’t happen without me letting go of my present identity.  I must walk confidently in the reality that my identity in Christ as a new creation is presently alive.  When this happens I might still be known as Jason, but will be know for confidence, joyfulness, overcoming, faithfulness, friendship with God, and being a person who seeks  God’s face.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for your acceptance of me the way I am and patiently & skillfully changing me into the man you desire me to be.  I am no longer defined by stereotypes, family history/heritage, my sins, my failures, my victories, etc..  My identity is wrapped up in you.  Continue to mold and shape me into the man you desire me to be.  Fulfill your purposes in me.  Help me to be known by others in such a way that my life illuminates the goodness of God to mankind.  In Jesus name - AMEN!