A New Name

Friday 2 September
READ: Isa. 62: 1-4
MORE LESSON: Gen. 32: 9-13

There are three ways by which people bare names; parents give names to children when they are born, situations and circumstances put names on people even though the names may not be what those people love to bear, and also, God bestows names on people. A woman once gave birth to a child and gave him one of the worst names in contemporary and ancient times in 1 Chron. 4: 9, . . . his mother called his name Jabez, saying, because I bare him with sorrow. The meaning of Jabez is sorrow; the mother named this boy 'sorrow' because of the experience she had when the baby was born.
The three Patriarchs of Israel, each had a different way by which they got their names. Abraham was initially given the name 'Abram' by his parents. 'Abram' meant 'the exalted father'. Isaac was given his name by God, the meaning of the name is laughter. The Lord Himself told Abraham to call his son 'Isaac' (Gen 17: 19). Jacob was given his name by his circumstance, he was born holding his brother's heels and so he was named Jacob, meaning 'supplanter'; it is not a good name, it is like being called a parasite or a cheat. However, when we look at the lives of these Patriarchs, the Lord changed the names except the one He gave by Himself. He changed Abram's name to 'Abraham'; the father of many nations' (Gen 17: 5). He changed Jacob's name to 'Israel'; 'a prince with God' (Gen 32: 28). God allowed Isaac's name because He was the one who gave it. It is time for every name that God has not given you to be changed.
Jabez, like Jacob also had a circumstantial name. While some circumstantial names are good, others are bad. Jabez was called sorrow because of his circumstances. The good news is that God visited all these men and changed their names. God removed sorrow from Jabez's destiny and made him more honourable than his brethren. His identity changed from sorrow to honour. The Lord will give you a new name today. Everywhere you have been called a name of reproach, the Lord will visit your circumstance and the same people will sing a new song about you. Your new name will tell of permanent greatness, glory, fruitfulness and splendor, in Jesus’ name, Never again will you be called "The Forsaken City" or "The Desolate Land." Your new name will be "The City of God's Delight" and "The Bride of God," for the LORD delights in you and will claim you as his bride: Isa. 62:4 (NLT).

PRAYER/ACTION
* Ask God for His grace to give you a new name today, in Jesus’ name.
* Decree that every evil name that connotes misfortune and pain in your life be abolished today, in Jesus’ name.
* Tell the Lord that from today your name shall denote glory, favour and greatness, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
In this ninth month, I shall rule my world and shall not be a slave of destiny, in the mighty name of Jesus.