A New Name

“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone, a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”  Revelation 2:17

            God has given us many examples in His Word of people receiving a new name.  Some came from God such as -- Abram becoming Abraham (Genesis 17:5), Sarai becoming Sarah, (Genesis 17:15); Jacob was told by God’s angel his name would become Israel (Genesis 32: 27-28); Saul became Paul.  Others came from leaders – Gideon was given the name Jerubbaal by Joash the King (Judges 6:32).  Naomi gave herself a new name of Mara (Ruth 1:20); Daniel became Belteshazzar and his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah became Shadrack, Mesach and Abednego by the prince of eunuchs (Daniel 1:7).  Jesus called Simon Barjona now Peter (Matthew 16:17-18).

            In other places there are explanations for names given.  For instance, Moses was given his name by Pharaoh’s daughter “Because I drew him out of the water,” (Genesis 2:9).  Hannah named her son Samuel “Because I have asked him of the Lord,” (I Samuel 1:20). The naming of Christ’s predecessor was such a significant event (depicted in Luke 1:59-63), that his father, Zacharias could not speak after a disciplining from the Lord until he settled an argument about the baby’s name and stated that his son was to be named John (Luke 1:63).  The naming of Jesus was prophesied as Emmanuel (Matthew 1:23) but he was to be called Jesus, “For he shall save his people from their sins,” (Matthew 1:21).  Luke 2:21 says “His name was called JESUS which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”

            So why the significance in a name? And why are there events recorded where a new name is given?  I think it has to do with the working of the Holy Spirit in the life of a person.  This changes us.  We are new creatures when we allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit. As new creatures, we will need to reframe our thinking about ourselves.  Our sinful natures play those old tapes in our heads, telling us that we are worthless, not good enough, falling short, a disappointment – simply unworthy.  God sees us differently.  He sees the Christ in us, and knows what we can become.  We are made in His image.  How can His image be unworthy?  We need to ask Him what our new name is, and rise to that calling.

            I have asked.  I have received my new name, and it scares me.  It is a word that is only used once in scripture – in the entire Bible, it is there only one time.  That in itself is significant to me.  There are other words that are translated the same many, many times, but this word, only once.  It is not my time to share this new name (and in the stone, a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”  Revelation 2:17).

Perhaps it is because I haven’t actually grown into it yet.  It really and truly is not how I currently see myself.   I am really working on it because I know in my heart of hearts this is how God sees me.  But yes, it is a very brave step to reframe my view of myself in this way.

            My prayer for this new year of 2013 is to learn to grow into my new name.  I want to rise out of the ashes of my past, and embrace this new name for myself.  It will take work.  It will take restoration and healing and really listening to His voice.  But I know also that this is the path that God desires for me, and I want to be obedient.  I know all too well what life is like off of His path, and I do not want to go there again.

            Will you ask Him for your new name?  How does God see you?  He will tell you because He wants us to grow more like Him.  A new name is a way to reshape and reframe our view of ourselves to align with how our Heavenly Father intended us to be.  Make it a matter worth considering.  Just imagine what our world could become if everyone knew truly who they were in Him!