What's in a Name?

"When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb." (Gen. 25:24)

Isaac and Rebekah's first children were Esau and Jacob. As you remember, Esau was born first, but as he came out, his twin brother was holding onto his heel. They named the second born, Jacob, which means "he cheats". All through his early years Jacob struggled with his name, a cheater, a supplanter, a trickster. I wonder how many people live their lives under a label that shapes them to be what they become.

So what is in a name? Chances are you never considered naming your daughter, Jezebel, or your son, Judas. It is amazing how a name conjures up certain images. If I say, "Bill Gates" you think, money. If I say, "Mel Gibson" you think actor. If I say, "Adolph Hitler" you think, evil. If I say, "Albert Einstein" you think genius. Just a name, but it conjures up certain images.

The first encounter we see of Jacob and Esau is as young men, Esau comes in from hunting famished. Jacob is cooking a pot of stew, and he tricks his brother into selling his birthright. Living up to his name from the start. What is your name? What does it mean?

Do you bear the name "Christian"? What does that mean? As the people of the world around you see you, and know that you testify of knowing Christ, can they see the resemblance between Him and you?

"And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai." (Genesis 16:2)

Surely listening to your wife is a good thing. It is, unless her voice is contrary to God's Word. And in this case, Abram and Sarai were old and God had promised Abram a male heir that would make him the father and source of blessing to many nations (people groups). Abram was impatient and tired of waiting on God and so he and Sarai decided to help God out a little.

Is there anything harder than waiting on God? Maybe living with the consequences is harder. But it is certainly difficult to wait on God. Psalm 37:7a says, "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;" In other words come before God in the solitude of prayer and seek His will, and when you discover God's will wait on Him to act in your life in the way that He has promised. Be patient. God is always right on time.

No sooner does Hagar bear Abram a son than problems develop between the two wives. Go figure. And in Abram's life God is strangely silent and quiet for the next 13 years. Maybe God is waiting on Abram to die completely to self and to realize the sin of taking matters into his own hands.

Waiting on God does not mean inactivity. But it does mean not trying to do what only God can do.
What is God doing in your life today? Is He quiet? Does He seem to delay? Wait patiently for Him and place your trust and complete confidence in whatever He has promised. He will act right on time.