What’s In A Name? – Emily's Snippets

What’s in a
name? How many years ago did my Mother write a sermon with this
title? She began with Shakespeare, and I read with interest. Names are
always interesting. What is the purpose of having names? Numbering
people do not give the essence of that person, however, a name has more. The
name is a constant companion through life.

When Ed and I chose the names of our four sons and daughters, we considered the
meaning of our names in more depth. The way we live colors our names for
others.

Who began the giving of names? So God created man in His own image, in
the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis
1:27.

Now out of the ground the Lord God had
formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought
them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called
every living creature, that was its name. Genesis 2:19. God began the name-giving. Adam then names all
the beasts and birds to Adam.

When God presented Eve to Adam, Adam
replied, “This, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she
shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Genesis
2:23.

God changed the names of Abram and
Jacob. For Abram became Abraham when God called him to become the father of
many nations, “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the
father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called
Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the
father of a multitude of nations. I will make you
exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings
shall come from you. And I will establish my covenant between me and
you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an
everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. Genesis
17:4-7.

After Jacob struggled all night with an
Angel, his name was changed – And He said to him, “What is your name?” And
he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called
Jacob, but Israel, for you, have striven with God and with men,
and have prevailed.” Genesis 32:27-28.

In
the New Testament, Saul, on his way to persecute Christians, stopped when
he became blind. Now as he went on his way, he
approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around
him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to
him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who
are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Acts
9:3-5.

Why do places have names? The easy answer is, so you know where you are
going. The astounding verse to me is from Psalm 147: 4-5 – He determines
the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names. Great is our
Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure.

“Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion?
Can you lead or can you guide the Bear with its children?Do
you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on
the earth? Job
38:31-33.

Zechariah and Elizabeth, in the New Testament, understand when the naming of a
baby is important to God. While Zechariah prayed in the temple, an angel
visited him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be
afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth
will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. Luke
1:13. Zechariah said, I am an old man, Elizabeth is old, too, how can this be?
Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God sent me.

For nine months, Zechariah could not speak. Then Gabriel went to see
Mary and the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have
found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear
a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” Luke 2:31.

What was Mary’s answer? “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it
be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke
2:38.

Then Jesus came, and He makes all things new. If then you have been raised
with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ
is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that
are above, not on things that are on earth.For you
have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3.

The stars were the navigation tool of ancient sailors, and now we have the GPS
to guide us to the desired location. We also have a spiritual guidance system
Christ left us, called the Holy Spirit, or Comforter or Helper. “If you love
me, you will keep my commandments. And I will
ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you
forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot
receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells
with you and will be in you. John 14:15-17.

How can this be? Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new
creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2
Corinthians 5:17.

Why Heaven for our destination? “He will wipe away every tear from
their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be
mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed
away.” And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making
all things new.” Also, He said, “Write this down, for these words are
trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:4-5.

As we travel the Gift of Grace Road each day, we know our destination is
Heaven, to be with our Lord Jesus.

See I’m,
now a new creation in Christ – The old has gone, there’s new life
I live by faith, not by sight -There is a new name written down in glory!

Comments? eacombs@att.net