“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

When checking in via multimedia with my family, I often fondly sign off with all the names that my family call me, respectively. Our names are personal and establish an intimate or not so intimate relationship with others. I can remember attending a conference in Tampa, Florida with a few members of my staff. One of the icebreakers was to draw a visual and express the name that you would like to be called. When I submitted mine, one specific teacher who has known me for years shouted…oh no, they cannot call you that, it is reserved for your family and close friends. It was comical at the moment, but as I thought of it later her reaction was warranted; the nickname really was one used by those closest to me and the shorten named my mom called me all my life; it signifies a closeness and comfort level not shared by all.

In the book of Isaiah chapter 9, Isaiah prophesizes of the light that would come into the world and dispel the darkness of sin that separates all men from God; however, those who choose to deny the light would experience the wrath of God. The prophet spoke in the present as if it had already occurred . . . he said a child is born; even though Christ had not come at that time, but His first coming would be the fulfillment of these verses. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 The Messiah would come, and their hopes were in the promise of His bring peace, safety and comfort in the midst of the darkest of times; His mercy and grace would sustain and deliver all who believe on His name.

All the promises then, as now, are revealed and complete in the name of Jesus our sustainer, deliverer our Almighty Savior!  When the high priest asked Peter by what name had an impotent man been made whole; under the power of the Holy Ghost, he answered “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.” Acts 4:10. There is power in the name of Jesus and “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. God’s amazing grace through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gives us hope, mercy, healing, and comfort in the darkest of times. His name is above all names, He alone is the light of the world and when we call on His name, He will answer!

Isaish spoke of Christ first coming; which came to pass as the scripture gives evidence in Acts 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” and praise God…He’s soon to come again, just as He promised; and as the disciples stood on the mount called Olivet watching as Jesus ascended into heaven, two men in white apparel spoke these words of reassurance “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11. When He returns, will your name be found written in the Lamb’s book of life?

What is in a name my friends . . . when it is the name of Jesus, everything that we need in this life and the life to come! “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. It is imperative that whatever it is that we desire to be called, in the final analysis the only name that really matters is to be a child of the One true and living God…the Savior of the world!

Blessings, and glory be to God!