“And He said, ‘Let Me go, for the day breaks.’ But he said, ‘I will not let You go unless You bless me!’ So He said to him, ‘What is your name?’ He said, ‘Jacob.’ And He said, ‘Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.’” —Genesis 32:26-28 (NKJV)
Beloved, do you know that your name can have a powerful influence on the course of your life? The Bible gives an account of how Jacob encountered an angel one night and clung to him, refusing to let go unless he received a blessing. In response, the angel asked Jacob a profound question that he had likely never truly considered before: “What is your name?” When Jacob replied, the angel immediately changed his name from Jacob, which means supplanter or deceiver, to Israel, meaning prince of God or one who prevails with God. This encounter changed Jacob’s life; from that day forward, he went from being a solitary man to the forefather of a great nation. The nation of Israel, which originated with him, reflects the transformation that took place because of his new name.
Before this change, Jacob’s life was marked by struggle. He fought to secure his brother’s blessing and faced hardships even in marriage, laboring fourteen years to marry the one he loved. But after his name was changed, his story shifted, demonstrating that names can sometimes be either a blessing or a hindrance.
So, beloved, I ask you the same question the angel asked Jacob: What is your name? Have you ever paused to consider what your name or surname means? The name you carry can shape the direction of your life. What do others call you, and more importantly, what do you call yourself? Our father of faith, Abraham, experienced something similar. He was childless as Abram (meaning exalted father), but once God changed his name to Abraham (father of many nations), he began to see the promise fulfilled. Today, Abraham’s descendants are spread across the world. Sometimes, the shift that brings transformation begins with a name change.
Perhaps you’ve taken on a name or nickname that isn’t a blessing to your life; it’s never too late to make a change. If your name brings blessing and positively influences your life, continue to value and honor that name. But if it hinders you, consider a change to align your life with God’s blessing and purpose for you. God bless you!
Today’s Rhema
Your name either impacts you positively or negatively!
Confession for the Day
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for the transformation Your Word brings to me every day. I thank You for giving me the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and I declare that no evil name will have any influence over me, in the name of Jesus. Amen!
