In Romeo and Juliet, Juliet questions the importance of a name. Many can relate to that.
Do you recall the film from 1990 where the character, John Dunbar, received a new name, “Dances With Wolves,” from the Lakota tribe? He falls in love with “Stands With A Fist.” Native American naming is considered crucial for it is believed to carry great power and spiritual energy, and it establishes a person’s unique identity.
There are numerous Biblical examples of God giving individuals and nations new names. “The new names signified profound shifts in their identities, purposes, and destinies. These name changes carried significant meanings and served as a testament to God’s transformative power.” *
Abram’s name was changed to Abraham, meaning “father of many nations” (Gen 17:5). Sarai’s name was changed to Sarah, “mother of nations” (vs 15). Simon is renamed Peter, meaning “the rock” in Matt 16:18.
Jesus had many names (hundreds, actually): Son of God, Lion of Judah, True Vine, Good Shepherd, Light of the World, Living Water, Bread of Life, Lamb of God, Messiah, Emmanuel, to name a few. Each name contained significant spiritual meaning.
The prophet Isaiah, speaks to the nation of Israel who has sinned greatly against God. He pleads with them to repent of their sins. He writes of God’s promise and their future blessings, and that eventually, they will no longer be called “Desolate.” Instead, as God’s “Delight,” they will receive a new name, that of “Sought After,” and “Redeemed of the Lord” (Isa 62).
We are important to God, created in His image (Gen 1:27), loved so much that He gave his one and only Son to die for our sins so we can be in relationship with Him. Yes, we too, are “His Delight” and “Sought After.” And when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are also “Redeemed of the Lord.”
Let’s take a moment to let this Biblical truth soak in…. Set aside your own name, and consider yourself with a new name…
You are “His Delight.”
You are “Sought After.”
You, if a believer, are “Redeemed of the Lord.”
— SELAH — (pause)
Lord, sometimes we are without words…. May we, in our silence, receive your Truth, that we are “Your Delight,” that we are “Sought After,” that we are “Redeemed of the Lord.” May we firmly establish our identity in this Truth. May our life spring forth from this Truth as a seed sprouts, and a stem grows, branches stretching out to others, witnessing to all who choose to see, that they, too, are “God’s Delight,” and “Sought After,” and should they choose to accept, “Redeemed of the Lord.” In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
*livingafruitfullife.com
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