A new name Week 33, 2016

"And I won't remain silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I won't stay quiet, until her vindication shines out like brightness, and her salvation like a burning torch.  The nations will see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and people will call you by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow” Is62:2 (NIV).  A new name for you does not mean go and do change of name. If God has not changed you, then no amount of name changing will work. There are many called “Jesus” today who live in sin. Jabez didn’t change his name, but his life did. The name Jabez means to grieve, it means sorrowful. His circumstances were sorrowful, painful. There was a man named Jabez, who was the most respected member of his family. His mother had given him the name Jabez, because his birth had been very painful.  But Jabez prayed to the God of Israel, "Bless me, God, and give me much land. Be with me and keep me from anything evil that might cause me pain." And God gave him what he prayed for1Ch 4:9-10(GNB). The change in and around Jabez came - as with Jacob and as in Is62:2 - by intense unceasing prayer. Give God no rest in prayer until the change in you bursts forth for all to see His glory.

The order is a spiritual change from God, then a change of name physically. If it is a man it is not sure to work. It has to be God pronouncing the new name: people will call you by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow Is62:2 (NIV).  Did you ever know the meaning of Caleb, the name of that mighty man of valour? It means dog. It was a name given by man; God called him a man with a different spirit. "Now as to my servant Caleb, because a different spirit is within him and he has remained true to me, I'm going to bring him into the land that he explored...” Num 14:24(ISV). What names have you from God? Abram’s name changed as God changed his status. It came by a personal intimacy with God, as Abraham was one-on-one with Him. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you ... Gen 17:5 (ESV). Incidentally those who had their names changed had to come one-on-one with God: Abram, Jacob, and Simon.

Whenever a person comes into a relationship with God through Jesus, despite the name given by others, God gives a new name: son of God. And in the place where it was said to them, You are not my people, there they will be named the sons of the living God Rom 9:26(BBE). Receive a new name today. A new name marks a new beginning. A new beginning is come to you, an entry into the service of God. Nebuchadnezzar gave Daniel a new name when he was to enter into his service (Dan 4:8); so did Pharaoh to Joseph (Gen 41:45). Will you enter into the service of the King of kings anew, afresh, and unconditionally? Receive a new name.  It is God giving it.