But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. –Isaiah 43:1, NLT
Names in the Bible are important: they define who they are, what is their character, how will they act, and how God’s plan will unfold in their lives. It may seem so small to learn the meaning of your name, but it may reveal something you never knew about yourself.
For example, my first name in Hebrew means “He will enlarge”, and this is the name of the same guy who was sold out by his brothers and became the second-highest leader in Egypt-almost overnight! My second name, though, means “well-born, noble” in Greek. (“He will enlarge the nobles”, huh?)
My name means something to me, believe it or not. And for God, it means everything. To tell you the truth, I love my name, and I will not change it for anything in the world. This is the name I was born with; this is the name I will die with it.
I may not know what your name means, and I may not know how you may be today. But let me tell you something: God knows your name, for He has called you and He has redeemed you by it. He ransomed Himself for it, and He will claim you for it.
When we come to Christ, God changes our name –like Simon (meaning “to be heard”) to Peter (meaning “rock”). Or Saul (meaning “prayed for”) to Paul (meaning “small”). Same with us- God calls you by your name, and He changes it –as He changes our whole lives.
And when we’re in Heaven, He will give us a white stone with a new name, and only you and God will know what it is.
Love has a name…And that name is JESUS CHRIST. And this means, “the Lord is salvation.”