The Power of Redeemed IdentitySample

Day 7 – Redeemed Identity Releases Divine Purpose

When God changed a person’s name in Scripture, it was usually to establish a new identity; to “re-Purpose” them.

Gideon’s encounter with the Angel of the Lord was life-changing.

Despite the dire situation that Israel was in, and despite his own fears and self-disqualifications, Gideon was not only hand-picked by God to defeat their enemies, but he was addressed by the Angel as a “mighty man of valor” – amazing! He called him from a place of hiding into a place of victory.

We can see this principle at work even outside of the Bible. In the traditions of some Native American tribes, for example, warriors were called “braves”. No doubt this designation improved their performance in combat. Most likely there are similar traditions in other cultures.

Let’s look now at three other powerful examples of God changing a person’s name, which connected directly to a change in their Kingdom calling and Divine Purpose:

·Abraham – God changed Abram’s name, meaning "high father," to “Abraham,” meaning "father of a multitude" (Genesis 17:5)

·Jacob – sometimes a name change indicates a change in character as well as calling. Such journeys can be long, and filled with painful trials. Jacob’s name means ‘deceiver’ or ‘supplanter’. Let’s follow his journey in Genesis, from chapters 27 to 31:

- He took Esau’s birthright and stole Esau’s blessing,

- He then fled from his brother to his uncle Laban, married Leah and Rachel, then fled from Laban,

- Finally, he wrestled with God as he prepared to meet Esau.

In that amazing divine wrestling match, Jacob was renamed, “Israel” – meaning he had "struggled with God and with humans and . . . overcome" (Genesis 32:28).

·Peter - In the New Testament, Jesus changed Simon’s name, meaning “God has heard,” to “Peter,” meaning "rock" (see John 1:42). Peter went from denying His Master three times, to becoming the leading voice in the early church — his amazingly bold inaugural sermon won thousands to the Lord (see Acts 2)!

We must learn to rename ourselves under the guidance of the Holy Spirit! Many years ago, as I was working at an office, I handled a file which was labeled, “Champion”. As I looked at it, by the quiet inner witness of the Holy Spirit, three descriptive words came to me about myself – “Champion, Servant In Christ, Lifter of the Fallen”. Through my work with Legacy Minded Men, God has graciously enabled me to walk out those three descriptions, in various ways. In fact, that is why I have the privilege of writing these words to you now!

As a child, were you called positive names or hurtful ones? Sometimes we must ask the Holy Spirit to journey with us back into the past and specifically forgive people for words that brought us harm. It is a lie that “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”. According to Solomon in Proverbs 18:21,

The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Prayer:

“Lord, help me to receive a brand new name and new identity from You today. I reject all false descriptions of who I am. Amen”.