Called by His Name
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What is in a name? I find it quite amusing how, on my trips back home after having been away for a while, I use my dad’s name as a reference to help establish my identity. The sudden epiphany and exclamation, “Oh! You are his daughter!” never fails to make me smile. Dropping my father’s name can also open doors faster than usual in some areas.
Amusing as those moments are, it is also sobering to realize I am traced and known through my connection to my father. It is even more sobering to realize the spiritual implications of being known through the connection we have with our heavenly Father. In 2 Chronicles God clearly states that His people are called by His name (2 Chronicles 7:14, NKJV). In this statement He provides a point of reference to help establish our identity.
When we call ourselves Christian, we carry the name of His Son, “Christ,” and claim it as being central to our new identity. We align ourselves with Him. We belong to Him. What incredible opportunities are now available to us.
When we call ourselves by His name, the doors of heaven are opened to us as His children. Jesus wants us to realize what this means. Long ago He told the disciples, “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:14, NKJV).
Nothing has changed in the intervening years. His promise and His power remain available to you and me—today. When we are called by His name, when we ask in His name, we are vested with ambassador status backed by all the power of Heaven. Scripture reminds us, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20, NKJV).
Did you notice the thought-provoking manner in which our verse for the day begins? God says, “If My people . . .” There is much implied in that small word.
The Lord asks us to take a good, hard look at ourselves. He invites us to consider the implications of the name we carry. His name. His identity. His character. Are we carrying His name well?
