A new nameNo longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. Genesis 17:5 He changed his name. God makes a covenant with Abram and changes his name (He changes Sarai’s name too!). The Almighty makes a promise to Abram and the seal of that promise is a new name for both Abram and Sarai. This is no small thing. Whenever God changes someone's name in the scriptures there is a change of identity with a promise included. This got me thinking of a song by D.J. Butler from the 80’s: “I will change your name”. I will change your name.
You shall no longer be called wounded, outcast, lonely or afraid.
I will change your name.
Your new name shall be confidence, joyfulness, overcoming one,
faithfulness, friend of God,
one who seeks my face. What are some of the old names that I carry around with me. Maybe you have a list of those names as too... You know the ones: those names we call ourselves especially when we have failed or fallen short. What if the same God who changed Abram and Sarai’s names were to change our names... What new names might he give you? In Christ, God has not only changed your name but your identity as well. Blessings,
Matthew+ O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP p.218) | 
