Name Change

In the Bible on many occasions we see God change the name of a person.  This indicates a change in identity.  It often indicated a change in character.  Names are important.  The Babylonians understood that.  So when they took in captives, such as the Hebrews, they often changed their names to try to change their identity.  If you call someone a name long enough they will begin to take on that identity.

Three Hebrew friends of Daniel were Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. We know them better as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  When taken into captivity their names were changed. Daniel’s was changed too.  But for some reason we refer to Daniel by his Hebrew name but not his friends.  Maybe it is because they are referred to by their Babylonian names in the account of them being thrown into the furnace, which we look at next time. 

Recently I decided to do my best to only use their Hebrew names instead of their Babylonian names.  I do not want to give honor to the Babylonian gods any more.

Here are the meanings of their Hebrew and Babylonian names:

Hananiah-beloved of the Lord

Shadrach-illumined by the sun god

Mishael-who is as God

Meshach-who is like the moon god

Azariah-the Lord is my help

Abednego-servant of nego or nebo (nebo/nego was a Babylonian god)

Daniel 1:6-7 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: ⁷ Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

( As a little aside…. I like the irony of Nebuchadnezzar’s name which means “may Nebo protect the crown or Nebo is the protector against misfortune.”  Nebo was a well known Babylonian deity..  Chapter 4 of Daniel is record of how Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by the Lord God Jehovah by a time of insanity. He was not protected very well by his god. He came forth from that experience acknowledging Jehovah as God.)

REFINED IN THE FIRE

Do you feel like you are going through the fire? That is not a bad thing.  Job realized that the fiery trial he was in would cause him to come forth as gold.  Jesus admonished the Laodicean church to buy of Him, “gold tried in the fire.”  In his first letter, Peter admonished the people not to think of the fiery trial as something strange, but something to rejoice about.  So rejoice, as you are refined, you shall come forth as fine gold manifesting the glory of God.  (I know it is easy for me to say rejoice, I am not going through your trial.  But try it anyway, I think you will feel better. J)

Job 23.10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. ¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: ¹³ But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy

SUSTAINED BY LOVE

I believe we are heading into a season when things are going to get much more difficult.  On Sunday our pastor quoted Dickens, “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.”  For those walking with the Lord it will be the best of times and those not walking with the Lord it will be the worst of times. 

It will not be a time to lose heart.  It will not be a time to lose focus.  It will not be a time to let our love grow cold.  It will be a time to burn hot with the love for God and the love of God for our neighbor.

Matthew 24:12-13 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. ¹³ But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Jude 17-21 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; ¹⁸ How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. ¹⁹ These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. ²⁰ But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, ²¹ Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

As things unfold there will be ungodly people that could be distractions for us, even amongst those who call themselves “Christians,” but are Christians in name only.  We must continue to build ourselves up, praying in the Holy Ghost and keeping ourselves in the love of God.

The fierce love I shared about in my blog titled Banner of Love in October 2013, is going to be necessary in the days ahead.  Our fierce love for God and each other will sustain us in the days ahead. 

MISSING INGREDIENT

Revelation 2:1-3 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; ² I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: ³ And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

 After reading the above passage about the church at Ephesus, you would think they were doing really good.  They were doing good, except there was one missing ingredient…..

Revelation 2:4-5 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. ⁵ Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

The following passage from Paul’s letter the Corinthians has a very similar message.

1Corinthians 13:1-3  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. ³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

We can do all the right things, but if love is missing, the most important ingredient is missing.

LITTLE THINGS

At the beginning of 2013, God gave me one instruction for the year: “Be faithful in the little things.”  Yesterday as I sat before the Lord reflecting on 2013, I was reminded of times when I was faithful to His Word to me and times when I was not.  It is truly “the little foxes that spoil the vine.” (Song of Songs 2:15) It is often the little things that no one sees but me and God that make the difference.  Sometimes it is not even what was done, but it is the heart attitude in which it was done.  It is the heart of the matter that matters.  (1 Samuel 16:7 …..for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.)

I feel like my grade on this for the year was a “C”.  So there is much room for improvement in the coming year.  At least I did not fail for the year.  J

I am thankful that God is a loving, merciful, and longsuffering Father. So I can start with a fresh clean slate for 2014.  Each day I can start with a clean slate as I come to Him for a fresh cleansing.  Great is His faithfulness!!!!

Psalm 130:3-4 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? ⁴ But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

Lamentations 3:21-25 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. ²² It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. ²³ They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. ²⁴ The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. ²⁵ The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.