In the Bible a man’s name meant his character. Song of Solomon says, “…your name is like ointment poured forth…,” (S of S 1:3). This man has a good reputation; he has great character. Whenever God would give someone a new name it always related to character-it was who they were, not just a label, it identified them . Think of Saul, the killer of Christians, compared with Paul, willing to be cut-off from Christ himself if it meant the saving of souls. When you hear the name “Saul” you have one thing in mind, and when you hear the name “Paul” you have another. What do people think when they hear your name?
“And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.” Gen 3:20.
“And he called his name Noah, saying, “This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD has cursed.” Gen 5:29
“No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.” Gen 17:5
“And the Angel of the LORD said to her: “ Behold, you are with child, And you shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, Because the LORD has heard your affliction.” Gen 16:11
“And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus,…” Acts 4:36
When God’s name is taken in vain it is calling His character empty, and meaningless. Jesus is the name above all names at which every knee will bow… Jesus’ character is above all others therefore He is most worthy to be praised, to be bowed down to. We don’t serve a “name,” a label, or a calling card, we serve, worship, and respect His character, His very nature.
“And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah jireh [that is, The LORD will provide]; as it is said to this day, “In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.” Gen 22:14
“And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah nissi [that is, The LORD my banner];” Ex 17:15
“Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD and called it Jehovah shalom [that is, The Lord send peace]. Unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.” Judges 6:24
“…that men may know that Thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the Most High over all the earth.” Psalm 83:18
I had a revelation concerning this the other day. I just never put these two together before, and let me tell you, it’s changed the way I pray. We are taught by Jesus to pray in His name. We all to often add “in the name of Jesus” to the end of our prayers just to seal the deal, right? I mean Jesus said that whatever we ask in His name He will do, right? We also know that really means anything asked in His name, according to His Will will be done. You can ask in Jesus’ name for all the money in the world till you’re blue in the face but it ain’t gonna happen. Why? It’s not according to His Will, it’s not for His glory. How do we reconcile this? If we don’t know God’s Will, and we don’t often know His specific will (the Word gives us His general Will clearly), than how can we pray according to what we don’t know?
We pray IN His NAME. Think about that. What does it mean to be “in” Christ? It means to be indentified with who He is. We take on His attributes when we are in Him. His name is His character, right? So, we pray IN-with His attitudes, His perspective, His righteousness, clean, forgiven, and empowered-His NAME-we pray trusting in His character, who He is. We pray knowing that He is faithful, merciful, He is provider, deliverer, redeemer, friend, satisfier, Father, strength, refuge, judge, lover, and everything good and true. I look at it like this: a big purpose of prayer is simply to be in relationship with our Father to spend time with Him, so no matter what our prayers (“right” or “wrong”) the point is to pray! We ought not let the chance of our motives or whatever being out of whack stop us from praying, heavens no! However, I believe that according to His Word if we are to pray effectively we ought not to pray anything that we can’t imagine Jesus himself praying. If it’s not in His character to do so, then why should we do it? Try replacing the word “name” in such scriptures as the ones below, and put “character” there instead. When you see the word “name” think of who that person really is.
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:26
Let’s change the way we pray, and let’s allow that to change who we are, for His purpose, and for our joy.
“Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.“ John 16:24
