What's In a Name?

What's In a Name?

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. Proverbs 18:10 KJV

There is something mysterious yet fundamental about a name. We define a person's destiny by the name s/he bears. A name could speak of the life of a person just born or could be a prophetic declaration into the life of a person who is yet to be born. Whichever one it is, one thing is clear: names aren't ordinary. It is the first point of identity, which then determines the level of interaction and interest. 

Why would the name of the Lord matter this much? Could it be because it represents who God is to be one who calls it or wants to named by it? Men of old defined their lives by the name of God revealed to them. They stood against doubt and fear based on the name of the Lord revealed to them. Men like Stephen, John the Baptist and Paul the apostle endured trials and tough times simply because there was a revelation and personal experience of the name of God in their lives. If you would ask: "What is in a name?" The response is: "Have you experienced the name of the Lord? 

And it matters what the name is and what it can do. This name here is called a strong tower. But then, something is said about qualifying to come in: yet another name: the righteous. It is not about good works, abilities or connections, but about the nature of God which aligns with His name. The name is a strong tower, able to keep safe, but then, it remains a possibility until I am rightly named to take advantage of the benefits of the name. So, we find the offer of the benefits of the name, and we find the qualifications required to enjoy the benefits. Am I righteous, living daily on the strength and grace God alone gives, or have I found suitable alternatives? 

You see, so many people know about the name. They know it has power, but knowledge and experience are so different. 1 may lead to the other, but the former does not always lead to the latter. You can know all there is to know about a name, yet not enjoy a single blessing from that name. However, there is a name that when you bear and personalise it, it opens doors that had been shut, and makes the impossible possible. That is what the name of the Lord can do for all who bear it. 

So, by what name am I called?  And I see that I am required to RUN into it. It is not careless living, or carefree strolling, but a deliberate focus. A person who runs for safety does not bother with distractions or attractive propositions. S/he is focused on getting into the place of safety. There are dangers all around; seen and unseen. There are things that even age cannot explain, but when you are in the right name, you are safe from all dangers.

In the city of refuge, death is forbidden. Even if physical death comes, as long as it finds you in that name: the place of refuge, it is but a translation into true life. That is the eternal benefit of the name I am called to bear. The name opens doors and leaves an inheritance for all who bear it. So, I ask again: what name do you bear? I ask myself: what name do I bear? Do men know me by a name while I claim yet another name? Eternity hangs on that response. His time of favour is here.