Shakespeare once asked, “What’s in a name?” It turns out a lot. In the 1940’s, Harvard started studying the effects a person’s name had on their grades and the predictability of them graduating. Recent studies show that a person’s name can influence Our choice of profession, whom we marry, whether we get accepted into a school, whether we get hired at a job and even the stocks we buy. A name is powerful, but we don’t often sit and think about how our life is influenced by our name. You may have a family name, a trendy name, one your parents made up or one they liked. No matter what, your name has influenced your personality and sometimes even the friends you keep.
In ancient times, a person’s name was often synonymous with their character. Think of Naomi in the book of Ruth. Her name meant “sweet”, but when she lived through a famine, moved from her home and her husband and sons died, she wanted her name to be Mara (bitterness). Jacob was a heel or supplanted who tricked people until he encountered God one night. His name was changed to Israel which means “one who wrestles with God”. There was also the disciple named Simon. His name meant “one who hears,” but Jesus wanted him to put what he heard into action and changed his name to Peter (rock). Jesus told him that He would build his church on this rock knowing at that moment that Peter was anything but a rock steady person. His name was who he became.
Proverbs 18:10 says, ”The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe“ (NLT). The Passion Translation says, “The character of God” being synonymous with His name. He is the God who sees you (El Roi), the one who gives you victory (Jehovah Nissi), the one who provides in your moment of need (Jehovah Jireh), the one who heals (Jehovah Rapha), your peace (Jehovah Shalom) and your righteousness (Jehovah Tsidkenu). You can run to His character, revealed by His name, in whatever you’re facing in this moment. He is your strong tower when life seems to be crumbling all around you. We must trust in His name and His character more than the situation in front of us. He is there ready to provide what we need in each moment of our life, but it’s up to us to run to Him in those moments. Who do you need Him to be for you today? Call on His name and character without delay.
Photo credit: Bernardo Lorena Ponte
Devotions by Chris Hendrix 