What's in a Name?Sample

Bearing God’s name

When God made a covenant with the people of Israel, He promised them many blessings if they would obey Him and not serve other gods. One of these blessings was “that you are called by the name of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 28:10). Just like in many cultures, children bear the surname of their parents, so the Israelites would bear the name of God! This would make clear to “all the peoples of the earth” that the Israelites were God’s special people and were protected by Him.

Several stories make clear that Israel’s enemies indeed were afraid of them because of their connection with God: “Our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath” (Joshua 2:11).

In the book of Revelation, Jesus makes a similar promise to all believers who remain faithful to Him: “I will write on him the name of my God … and my own new name.” (Revelation 3:12) If you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are accepted as his child and you will bear his name!

Are you a child of God?