Calling and Purpose 19—Naming 2
In the Calling and Purpose post on Abraham and Sarah, we saw that God changed Abram and Sarai’s names (to Abraham and Sarah), elevating their meaning and perhaps helping them remember the deeper sense of God’s purpose and promises for them (Genesis 17).
My New International Version Study Bible says that the prophet Isaiah’s name means “The Lord is salvation.” Isaiah’s purpose is to tell the people of Judah and Jerusalem of God’s coming judgment, and, most often, that is what we remember about the book of Isaiah. However, Isaiah also is given the great privilege of telling the story of God’s coming Messiah, the Savior, and God’s rescue of His people and their restoration.
Perhaps knowing his name meant “The Lord is salvation” was important to Isaiah’s staying the course of his difficult prophetic life. Perhaps that meaning helped to constantly remind Isaiah that, ultimately, the Lord would save His people, no matter how bad the current circumstances seemed to appear.
Beginning in Chapter 40, Isaiah speaks God’s comfort for His people. In Isaiah 43:1-7, we read:
1 But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
In just these seven verses, we see God’s naming and renaming of His children:
Many places in Scripture show God’s naming or renaming of us, His children. We/they are told we are
· Created by the Lord
· Formed by God
· Redeemed by Him
· Summoned by the Lord
· God’s own (“you are mine.”)
· Ransomed by God
· Precious in His sight
· Honored in His sight
· Loved
· His sons and daughters
· Called by His name
· Created for His glory
· Formed and made by Him
If you are a follower of Christ, you have been renamed—"called,” “saved,” “forgiven,” “precious,” “dearly loved,” “redeemed,” “child.”. Savor that as part of how God “calls” you.
How can knowing that you are precious, honored, created, formed, redeemed, loved free you to live into your God-given purpose and calling?
Additional Resources:
• Downloadable Resources--See Sample List of Interest Areas; Your Spiritual Gifts—A Study Guide; Knowing Your Unique Calling and Purpose Study Guide; Whole-Life Ministry: A Form of Worship, Grace-Giving, and Living into Your Calling.
Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and law enforcement leadership for over 30 years. Shirley has been EquipConnectServe Director at First Pres Boulder since 1999. She has worked with leaders and organizations in 47 of the United States as well as having clients outside the U.S. Contact Shirley.
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