Word For Today: Your Name And Your Destiny

Your Name And Your Destiny · Friday, August 2nd · Page Visits (902)

Pastor Chris

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).

Whatever name you answer, as a person, has a direct bearing on your destiny; your name gives meaning to your destiny. This explains why it was necessary for God to change the names of certain characters in the Bible in line with their destinies in God. A good example is Abraham, who was formerly called Abram. Abram meant exalted father or assumed father; one who was regarded as a father, even though he didn’t have children.

However, one day, God spoke to him and said, "…behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 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 17:4-5). He believed God, and immediately started answering the name "Abraham," meaning ‘a father of many nations.’
Another example is Jacob; he was named Jacob at birth because when he was born, he held on to his brother’s heel. Jacob means swindler or deceiver; and true to his name, he obtained his brother’s birthright through deceit, with the aid of his mother. However, when he encountered the Angel of God’s presence and asked to be blessed, the Angel wouldn’t bless him until his name was changed from Jacob (the swindler) to Israel, a prince with God (Genesis 32:28); thus was his destiny transformed for good.
Before Peter came to Jesus, he answered the name Simon, meaning a reed shaken by the wind, unstable. As Simon, he wasn’t consistent. One day Jesus said to him, "And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, (Greek: Petros) and upon this rock (Greek: Petra) I will build my church…" (Matthew 16:18). "Petros" means a little rock that’s founded on a greater hidden rock (Petra), not just a stone; signifying stability and consistency.

If the name you’ve been answering isn’t consistent with the Word of God, you’ve got to change it, because your name is your destiny. It makes no difference that you’ve answered the name all your life; if you find that its meaning isn’t consistent with the revelation of who you are as a new creation in Christ, you must respond to God’s Word and change it as an act of faith. When you do, your new name will be recorded in heaven, and the destiny of the former one will be cancelled.

Prayer

Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for the revelation of your Word that enlightens me on who I am in Christ. Thank you for leading and guiding me in the way that I should go, taking paths that you’ve preordained for me, and elevating me unto higher levels of your glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

f u r t h e r s t u d y: Matthew 16:16-18

Daily Scripture Reading

1 Year Reading Plan : Romans 6:15-7:1-6, Psalms 60-63
2 Year Reading Plan : Luke 12:35-48, Judges 8