Memory verse:

“But now the Lord who created you, O Israel, says, Don’t be afraid, for I have ransomed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43: 1 [The Living Bible]

We all like to be called by our name. Our name is important to us because it identifies us. None of us like to be called, “hey, you”. When someone calls us that it makes us feel that they don’t even care enough about us to bother to find out what our name is. Although, when we get into trouble we might sometimes wish they would forget our name so they can’t tell the teacher or our parents who did the mischievous deed.

I grew up in a large family. I have 7 sisters and 6 brothers; I am the thirteenth child. We lived in the country and we younger five kids spent a lot of time playing with our neighbor’s kids. If something was amiss the adults might not always know all of our names. But if they thought I was to blame they would just tell my dad or mom or older siblings, “Oh, it was the tall girl.” My sisters were of average height. Of course, because I was a quiet kid I didn’t get into trouble very often; I think.

People might not remember our name or care enough about us to use it, but God calls us by name. Do you know He even calls each star by name? In the Bible, Psalm 147:4 says, “He counts the stars and calls them all by name.” [The Living Bible]

During Bible times God sometimes told the parents what to name their child. God told Hagar to call her son Ishmael. He told Mary, the mother of Jesus, to call her baby boy, Jesus.

Often in Bible times and in a lot of cultures today, the meaning of the name is very important. Or, people change their name because after a meaningful experience they have changed; such as Saul, who persecuted the Christians. After Jesus appeared to him in a vision, on the road to Damascus, his name became Paul.

The Bible tells us of a priest, Zacharias. Zacharias and his wife, Elizabeth, had grown old and they had no children. Zacharias served in the temple.
It was his turn to burn the incense on the golden altar, in the holy place, where only the priests could enter. He was shocked to see an angel standing beside the altar.

The angel said, “Do no be afraid, Zacharias! For I have come to tell you that God has heard your prayer, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son! You are to name him John.”

But Zacharias didn’t believe the angel. He claimed that he was too old to have a child. Then the angel told him that he wouldn’t be able to speak again until the child was born because he wouldn’t believe. So Zacharias lost his voice until his son was born. It was only after he wrote, “His name is John,” that he could speak again.

When God names a child, greatness usually follows. So it was with John. He became John the Baptist, who prepared the way, telling people that Jesus was coming.

I hope you like your name. But one day God will give you a new name. All of God’s children will one day receive a new name in heaven.

You are each special to God. Although there are billions of people you are important to God. Important enough that He calls you by name.

Going Deeper for Parents:

Sometimes we change our names like Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law did. When she returned to Bethlehem her friends welcomed her, calling her Naomi. But she said, “Don’t call me Naomi for God has dealt bitterly with me.” She had left with a husband and two sons. Both had died while she was in Moab. Now she felt empty and wanted to be called ‘Mara’ which means ‘bitter’.

When Abraham was 99 years old and God told him he and Sarah would now have a son, God renamed him. At that time his name was ‘Abram’ which means ‘exalted Father’. God changed his name to ‘Abraham’ which means ‘Father of many’. God did the same thing for Abraham’s wife at the same event. He changed her name ‘Sarai’ to ‘Sarah’. Both of her names mean ‘princess’. The name changes reflected a new relationship for Abraham and Sarah with God.

When we become God’s children we become new creatures in Christ. I have read that some people even chose a new name at this time.

I enjoy my given name Ruth but I am looking forward to my new name in heaven chosen by God, as I hope you are too. We will begin a new relationship with God for all eternity.

Ruth Willms

Author: The Lion Tree
http://ruthwillms.com
ruth.willms@gmail.com

Want to know more about how God can help you every day? Check out my new book The Lion Tree at http://ruthwillms.com

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