A New Name

Two former church members, who are dear to many, sent me the following as an encouragement to us:

Allow me to make a comment as an encouragement to you and the folks at Martin Top. Reading Numbers 6:22-27 'The Priestly Blessing' - The Lord's instructions to Aaron and his sons, via Moses. Verse 27 finishes the blessing with "So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."

Part of a devotional reading regarding this passage states:

"When God instructed Aaron to bless the Israelites with his sacred name, he bestowed a great honour on the newborn nation. He was promising to bless them. He was setting them apart for his own special purpose. As the priests pronounced this blessing on the Israelites, they were, in effect, calling upon God to live in their midst and meet their needs as their heavenly provider. To be called by God's holy name meant that they would be expected to act as holy people. They would have to live up to the name they had been given. When we were born again, we received a new name: Christian. We now carry the name of our Saviour. Just as the Israelites were expected to bear God's name with dignity, we are to honour Christ's name by reflecting his character by our words and actions. That also meant not using his name in vain or allowing others to defame it. Jesus' name is the name above all names. Wear it proudly. Defend it loudly. Make it mean something holy and wonderful to everyone you meet."

Unfortunately the author isn't named. It is to God's glory that you and the others are doing just that. Praise His Holy Name! EI