Your 24/7 Companion – Day 18
Your Gift: His Name
Um(Imi)bhalo weBhayibheli
Ihubo 20
Abakwa-Israyeli bakhulekela inkosi yabo
Ihubo 20
NgokukaMathewu 16
IzEnzo 3
In ancient times, people held the name given to someone in high regard because it would communicate something of a person or his descendants.
Jesus’ name says exactly who he is: “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). He gave this name to us as a gift for our protection, as an instrument for victory and to do his works on earth.
Psalm 20:1,7: May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! Some trust in chariots and some in horses: but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. David faces war but realises that guns alone cannot secure victory – only God can! There is also no other protection than the name of the Lord because, the Name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10)
An image that comes to mind to demonstrate the idea of running into his name is that of a gigantic elastic ball that temporarily changes its impenetrable membrane to a walk-through one, when recognising Christian believers. The name of the Lord though, is the access code and your faith in him, the opener of the membrane to enjoy his protection.
The same principle applies when the name of Jesus is used to do his work on earth. Peter paused next to a lame man and said to him, “In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk!” The result? The man was healed instantly and began praising God for his healing (Acts 3:6). Peter gave the following explanation to the astonished onlookers: “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him.” (Acts 3:16)
You and I, as believers, can also lay claim to this divine protection, healing and victory, but then we have to believe that he is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
