New Narrative. New Name.

Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.” (Genesis 17:3-5)

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Richard made a point that I’d like us to reflect on today. He noted that, in changing the name Abram to Abraham, God indicated that this man of faith was to be a father of many nations. However, the name change occurred before Sarah bore a child.

Our pastor shared with us that this name change was an expression of God’s view, God’s reality, concerning who Abraham was. In the eyes of the world, Abraham and Sarah remained a childless couple struggling with the dynamic of Hagar and Ishmael in their household. But in the eyes of God, Abraham was a man who had a legacy of generations numbered through his yet-unborn son and grandson, Isaac and Jacob.

What is God’s reality concerning us today?

What is His name for us?

What do we say about ourselves in light of what God has said about us?

People, even Christian people, will have plenty to say concerning what is seen. They can see whether a person is young or old. They can sometimes perceive whether a person has had basic education or advanced studies. They can perhaps notice a particular family dynamic or personal crisis that an individual is dealing with. And they can speak based on what they’ve perceived.

But is our perception a reflection of heaven's perspective? Sometimes we fall into the trap of speaking based on what we’ve seen instead of speaking in line with what God has declared. It’s a dangerous trap, because our desire as Christians is to live as authentic representatives of God’s kingdom, declaring God’s agenda.

So let’s endeavor, today and every day, to wait on God’s declaration concerning ourselves, our households, and the legacy we will leave. It’s not about what we see; it’s about what He says.

Lord God, we want to walk through each day with an awareness of Your agenda. Help us to seek Your face and to wait for Your voice, so that we might know Your desire for our lives. Help us to block out the other voices that can only speak from a worldly perspective. Help us to overcome the Hagars and Ishmaels who stand ready to remind us of our past errors. Please help us to hear the name You have given to us: the authentic expression of who You have called us to be, even as we go through the process of becoming who You say we are. Thank You for speaking to our hearts today.

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.