«To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it» (Revelation 2:17, NIV).
MY NAME turned out to be quite a challenge in the early years of my childhood. My classmates were unable to pronounce it correctly. Instead of saying «Vladimir,» the smartest ones would call me «Gladimir;» and others would shorten it to «Gladi.» The problem was that «Gladi» was confusing, because in my class there was a girl called Gladys; and that more than once led them to make fun of me because, according to them, I had a girl’s name.
Tired of that situation, one day I arrived home from school feeling very upset and, with all the authority of a six-year-old boy, I asked my mom, «Why did you give me a girl’s name? Why didn’t you choose a different name?» Unable to stop laughing, my aunt Angelita asked me, «And what name do you propose we give you?» As fast as lightning, I replied, «Henry!» That’s why, up to this day, two of my uncles call me Henry. In time, the school children learned to pronounce «Vladimir»; but within my family they still call me Henry, a name that, paradoxically, I’ve never liked.
According to the verse in today’s heading, God has promised to give us a new name. The prophet Isaiah had already declared, «The nations will see your vindica tion, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow» (Isaiah 62:2, NIV). Many centuries later, in Revelation, John says that the new name is «the name of my God» (Revelation 3:12), in other words, the name of the Lamb and the Father will be written on our «forehead» (Revelation 14:1; What a privilege! We will be called by God’s name.
Amazed by this new experience, the apostle Paul declared, «For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named» (Ephesians 3:14, 15). Thanks to Jesus Christ, we can all enjoy an intimate, genuine experience with God.
Beginning today, we can receive in our lives the name of Jesus Christ, «the name which is above every name» (Philippians 2:9). I’m sure we will all like that name!
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2023
“I AM WITH YOU”
From: J. VLADIMIR POLANCO
Collaborators: Lorina Maya & Angelica Cuate
