A new name

Many Christians will be familiar with the story of the tower of Babel. In a time when all the people of the earth still used the same language, Gen 11:1, the Bible recounts that they decided together to build a tower so high that it would reach into heaven. In their foolishness they said, 'Let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth'. Gen 11:4. Isn't it remarkable that the preoccupation of man has always been to obtain recognition and status? Even since the most ancient of days we have sought to 'make a name' for ourselves. Certainly, it is important to be respected and of good reputation within the communities in which we live. Indeed, the wise man wrote, 'A good name is to be more desired than great wealth'. Prov 22:1. But this must not be our pre-occupation. Instead, our desire should be to live according to the name that God has given us. Of course, when the Bible speaks of our name it is not referring to the title written on our birth certificate. Our name is who we are before God; everything He has called us to be. It is our full capacity and identity in Christ.

'You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will name.' Isa 62:2. However, while it may be new to us, God has known our name before the foundation of the world. The psalmist wrote, 'Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them'. Psa 139:16.

The Scripture is clear regarding those who will not receive the name which the Lord has for them. 'Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the LORD and whose deeds are done in a dark place, and they say, "Who sees us?" or "Who knows us?" Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay, that what is made would say to its maker, "He did not make me". Isa 29:15-16. How foolish it would be for a clay vessel to say to its potter, 'He did not make me!' and to define its own name and best use. Yet this is the response that we so easily make towards our Maker! We are prone to 'hide our plans from the Lord', seeking our own way and defining our own name. God has a plan and purpose for each one of us, the fullness of which is contained within our new name. If we will cease from striving to define our own name and acknowledge Him as the Creator and Lord of our life, we will receive His great and wondrous promise. 'To them I will give in My house and within My walls a memorial, and a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name which will not be cut off.' Isa 56:5.

Penny Falk

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Feature Articles
May 2009

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A new name

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