The Importance of Names to God

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. Genesis 17:5

Steps 4, 5, 10, 11, 12

In the Bible a person’s name is very important to God. He wants to call us by a name that rightly describes us. So when God gave Abraham a son, He changed His name from Abram meaning father of heights, to Abraham – father of nations. Through Ishmael, Abraham would be the father of the many Middle Eastern nations that would come through Ishmael. So God changed Abram’s name to reflect this change in position. This event also happens to Jacob – the supplanter or deceiver, to Israel – a prince of God. Genesis 32:27-28. God also wants to do this for us in our walk with Him. God will give us a new name reflecting our change for our various addictions to that which God has designed for us. Revelation 2:17. Thus we know that God has many wonderful things in store for us including a new name.

Prayer for Today: God, we don’t know what You will name us but whatever it will be we want it. People have called us many names in our history and most of them have not been nice. We thank You for the promise that You can and will change us. We will no longer have to be slaves to our old ways of life. Thank You for also giving us a new name to reflect that change. We want Your will to be done in us, and we want to reflect You in all that we do. Thank You.