A New Name
by Gemma Gardner
A few days ago, I started reading the book of Revelation in my morning times with the Lord. I came across the above verse and it started me thinking about names. When I was a child, my name was very unusual. I never met another person called Gemma. But now my name is very common, and I often hear mums calling their children, “Gemma, come here!” It was so strange to me at first, I used to turn round, thinking they were calling me.
It’s only the Lord who has the power to choose a unique name for each one of us, and He will give that unique name to everyone who has put their trust in Jesus. But maybe, as you read the above verse, you don’t feel much like a conqueror. There have often been times in my life when I have felt that way too. But the good news is, once we have put our trust in Jesus to save us through His atoning death on the Cross, He is committed to us to bring us safely into heaven. In Romans 14:4, Paul tells us that the Lord is able to make us stand. Elsewhere, in Philippians 1, Paul tells us that the Lord will complete the work He has started in us.
It’s such a comfort to know that the Lord has made each of us unique and He sees us as individuals and wants a special relationship with each one of us. He wrote our names in His book of life before we were even born, and then He called us to come to Him. Once we came to Him, He sealed us with His Holy Spirit and justified us freely through His grace.
God sees us so differently from how we see ourselves. The world around us can make us feel insignificant and of no real use to anyone apart from what we can do. But the Lord sees what we are, and one day each of us will stand before Him because He made us into a conqueror, and we shall receive that unique name and no-one else knows it except the Lord Himself, who gives it to us.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, how I thank You that You knew me before I was born. You knew everything about me and the many times I would fail, and yet You chose me and wrote my name in Your book of Life. I rejoice that You know me and that You will never forsake me and that one day I will stand faultless before Your throne. I give all the glory to Jesus, my Saviour. In His name I pray, Amen.
Gemma Gardner lives in Norfolk with her husband, Dean, who until recently worked at Ellel Grange. They are both part of the Associate Ministry team which Gemma joined after completing the Modular school. Gemma has experienced the Lord`s healing and restoration over many years and longs to see Him healing other broken people. Gemma loves listening to music, cooking, knitting and crochet as well as outdoor exercise. She enjoys playing guitar and singing worship songs.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship. Provided full acknowledgement is made to Seeds of the Kingdom as the source, you are also welcome to use it in a non-commercial way and reproduce it in magazines or other Christian websites. The copyright for any commercial use of the material remains with Ellel Ministries International.
