Isaiah 49:16a – See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. (NIV 2011)

Our eighth grandchild is due in the next week or so, and though he or she already has a place in our hearts and in our family, thus far, the baby doesn't have a name. Hundreds of names have been deemed unsuitable. Our name is our identity, and if you've ever had your identity stolen, you know the importance that we place on our name.

The Babylonians understood, and tried to wipe out their captives' previous identity by assigning new names to assimilate them into their culture. Daniel, meaning God is Judge, was called Belteshazzar, meaning Bel (a false god) will protect.

Some names are passed down through the family for generations and give a sense of belonging. Some have special meanings with stories behind them. But for various reasons, some of us have a name that we don't consider a blessing. We may try to change it, but unless we do so legally, we find that we're stuck with it. It turns up unexpectedly on official papers, and we look at it askance: Is that me? It doesn't feel like me. We don't identify with it.

We may wonder, if God planned when and where we'd be born, why did He allow our parents to give us this name? It often helps to find the meaning or origin. Isaiah prophesied that the coming Messiah would be called "Immanuel", meaning God with us. When the angel announced to Mary that she would become pregnant by the Holy Spirit, the baby's name was to be Jesus, in Hebrew Yeshua (Joshua), meaning God saves. However, the Bible also gives us dozens of different names for God and Jesus. We become familiar with each one as we get to know Him personally.

In this world, our name and our identity are so important, but God knows what kind of person we can become: our true nature, our real identity. When we are born again and adopted into God's family, our nature is transformed by the renewing of our mind. God is thoroughly familiar with us. The Bible tells us that He knows the number of hairs on our head. What's more important, God is totally familiar with our heart. He knows our true identity. He can't forget it. It's tattooed on the palm of His hand. And when we enter our true home, heaven, we'll receive a new name:

Revelation 2:17 – To the one who is victorious, I will give … a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it. (NIV 2011)

When our precious, new grandchild enters this world, he or she will be washed and given a name. The white stone that Jesus referred to was a symbol for "Not Guilty". Our sins forgiven, we're washed clean just like a new baby.

If you have a name that's a stumbling block, I encourage you to find your identity in Christ. "If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV 2011)

Prayer: Father, we're thankful that we belong to You and that You know exactly who we are. You know every detail about us. Thank You for forgiving our sins. Jesus, name above all names, we adore You and look forward to living with You for eternity. Amen.

P.S. Welcome to the world, Sophia Mary! May God bless you and keep you!

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About the author:

JJ Ollerenshaw <sandjollie86@gmail.com>
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
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