Daily Scripture Reading: Genesis 32:28 KJV
Genesis 32:28 KJV
(28) And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
Today’s Devotional Is A NEW NAME!
THROUGH THE BIBLE, the name of nature is represented. Names were given in those old wise days not because of their distinctive sound but rather to reflect a characteristic trait. According to legend, shepherds name their sheep based on their faults. Old Testament names may have also been given based on this principle. Jacob was the same. The Angel asked Jacob, “What’s thy name?” He answered “Jacob,” supplanter.
Confession of our old nature is the first step to losing it. The next is to surrender to God. Accept God’s victory, surrender to Him, and submit to His Will. The wrestling Angel is always at our backs, but we respond instead of allowing Him to defeat us. We get a new name every time we let God have His way in a new part of our character. This means that a new phase in our character is created, a new touch from the Divine love enters our being and we are more like Him, whose Name encompasses all names. Jacob becomes Israel, Simon becomes Peter The Rock-man, and Saul becomes Paul.
God gives us a new name when He calls us. He is giving us a deeper understanding of Himself. He uncovers attributes that were previously hidden. In the Apocalypse, the Apostle tells us that God gives us a white diamond, in which our new names are written. This is evidently a reference to the Urim and Thummim pure diamonds, on which He spoke to Israel and which Jehovah was engraved (Exo_28.29-30; Rev_2.17). Every victor over sin has his stone of Urim. He knows God’s will firsthand and has revelations about God’s character that only he can see (Mat_11/25).
PRAYER for Today
Give to us, O God the white stone with the new name written on it. He only knows who will receive it. We ask that Thou manifest the same to us as to the whole world. AMEN.