“Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all. As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, so shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: He staggered unto at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God: And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, He was able also to perform.” Rom. 4:16-21
Today’s Christian daily devotional
“Annie? Wow. I can’t believe it is you!” I am basking in my girlfriend’s glowing face. I have not seen Annie since our days of innocence and ignorance back in high school. As life often does, we both found ourselves swept into the undertow of two totally separate worlds. But, alas, here we were—two decades later. It felt like those years were only two short weeks as we caught up on where life had taken us since we last saw each other. The world of produce and cold cuts disappeared as we reconnected in the grocery store.
“So do you know if it is a boy or a girl?” I ask. Annie extends her belly as if inviting me to touch it. “We are having a boy. He’s due in 2 months.” Her husband gives me a polite nod then wanders off to let us catch up like old wartime comrades.
As I touch her stomach, my heart is warmed by the thought that a miracle is happening right beneath my hand. A baby is being formed and getting ready for his debut into this life.
“What will you name him?” I imagine what a task that would be. This child will be affected by Annie’s choice forever. It will be the brand that the world will know him by.
Names are crucial. God put a special emphasis on names and their meanings all throughout the Old and New Testaments. He renamed Abram to Abraham, meaning: “the father of many nations”. God also renamed Abraham’s wife, Sari, to Sarah which means: “Princess”.
Why would God go through the trouble to change these people’s names at such a late point in their life? I believe God wanted Abram to see himself differently. God Himself was “calling those things which be not, as though they already were.” Rom. 4:12
In my personal salvation experience, I have felt the transforming nature of the Holy Spirit. I feel God changing me a little everyday. I am no longer comfortable doing the things I used to do, and I am no longer drawn to the things that draw His presence further from me. I long to be more like Him and desire more of His presence in every facet of my life.
In celebration of this new beginning, I have changed my middle name to Shalom. This came after much prayer and research. I have discovered the meaning of Shalom to be: “whole, peace, rest, quiet-ness, safe-haven, well, happy, restoration, complete security, forgiven, health, welfare, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, fullness, harmony, absence of discord”. The Hebrew definition of Shalom is defined as: “Nothing missing, nothing broken.” and “She who submits to God”.
I will never be perfect, and I will continue to fail, but I have a heart that really desires to wholly submit to God. By embracing my new name, it is easier for me to see my new identity. I am “calling those things which be not, as though they already are.” When I hear someone call me Shalom, I feel my heart celebrating the restoration of my very shattered and broken life. The Lord has restored so much. I feel compelled to honor that not only with my new name, but also with the new life that goes along with it.
If you could choose your name, what would you pick? Are you defining yourself by your own desires? What name do you think God would like for you to have?
Something to think about…
“Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for second chances…one hundred chances and one million chances…you are the God of mercy. You forgive more than you are angered and your wrath is because of injustice.
Lord, I have done many horrible things throughout my life. I have hurt you, others and myself. I thank you for your forgiveness and for another day to live and breathe and tell others what a great God you are and about your forgiving nature.
Lord, many people see themselves as if they aren’t forgiven because they have never come to ask Christ into their hearts for forgiveness. Give these bleeding hearts a chance to heal and give them the strength to reach out for the healing power of the Holy Spirit.
For those of us who have reached for Christ and accepted His forgiveness, but have not felt forgiven, I pray in the name of Jesus that they receive forgiveness. It is available, it has always been there, but like any gift, it can remain unwrapped and un-enjoyed if the owner never receives it.
Lord, I pray you breathe a fresh anointing of your Holy Spirit on all the hearts that have once turned to you, but have forgotten to keep turning to you. Lord, let us never forget what you have done for us in the past, to keep us looking to you for our future.
In this world, there is little hope. But in Jesus Christ, all things are possible. God restore what we thought could never be restored and let each one who has experienced the healing power of God never for a moment forget to give you credit. In Jesus’ precious name, bless our testimonies to bring many more into your kingdom, Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: Rom. 4:16-21
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan