New Name, New Identity
New Name, New Identity is talking about the different name changes in the Bible and how difficult times can reveal your true identity.
Soul H2O Devotion
New Name, New Identity
When I went through divorce, I changed my name back to my maiden name which is Fletcher. It’s pretty cool as far as names go but it was a lot of paperwork changing it back, with every government, business, and banking agency needing to be contacted. Then, when I got re-married to Todd, I had to go through all that legal paperwork again to take on his last name Stahl, an equally cool name that actually means “steel”, so ya, I married a man of steel, with a very soft heart!
Names are a big deal.
New Names
Choosing a baby name is a difficult job these days. When you meet people from older generations, they seemed to have settled on a select number of names and used them repeatedly, but since I was having kids and until the present day, it’s become much more complicated. With access to the internet, the options seem to be endless.
Names are a big deal.
Back in Biblical days, your name held great significance but it’s pretty clear that sometimes, God didn’t think the parents chose the right name because I’ve found about 9 instances in the Bible where people’s names were changed by God. I think Abram, Sarai, Jacob, and Simon are the most well-known name changes.
Crisis Is Often The Catalyst
In each of their lives, there was a crisis that curated the changed name.
For Abraham and Sarah, it was infertility and names that spoke of their destiny to have children; for Jacob, it was fear of an attack from his brother that caused him to wrestle with God and be declared Israel which means God strives and has roots in meaning ‘united people’. God knew exactly what Jacob needed to hear and who he would become.
Simon was a big talker, always sticking his foot in his mouth but Jesus saw more in him, Jesus spoke steadiness into his life by renaming him Peter, the rock who would be one of God’s clearest voices in his generation.
There’s only one account of God naming someone and a person changing that name. It happened when Adam renamed the other h’adam, Eve and changed how the world viewed the role of women from that day forward, but that’s the topic for another show.
Changing a National Identity
In Isaiah 62:2-4, a national crisis culminated in God speaking words of comfort to his people when they were taken captive by other nations and told how he was going to change what people called them and said,
“you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow… No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, for the LORD will take delight in you…
I’m sure it’s not on the top of your baby list, but Hephzibah means “my delight is in her”. Israel’s new name would bring them hope for their future and bolster their identity in time of crisis.
You’ll soon hear how our interview guest’s name change came as the result of a job loss and resulted in a major identity shift.
A Name Change For You!
What’s interesting to you today is how God says in Revelations 2:17 says… To the one who overcomes, I will give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
God has a special name for you, and it’s not a put-down, but an identity booster that speaks to your destiny. Spend time listening to him and begin connecting with your new name.
Prayer
Father… I’m so thankful that you see the real me and you like the real me. Help me to listen to you Holy Spirit for my identity and not to the insults of others. You created me, you know me and I want to fulfil the destiny you’ve placed within me, so help me see me, the way You see me. In Jesus Name…Amen
Connecting With Your New Name | EP #85
Karen Fox is on the Soul H2O Radio & Podcast show, Episode 85, Connecting With Your New Name. Talks about how difficult times can reveal your true identity.
Listen on your favourite Podcast App or: http://www.soulh2o.com/85

Verses to help fill up your well.
- 1.Revelation 2:17
- 2. Name Changes (Genesis 17:3,15; 32:28; John 1:42)
- 3. Isaiah 62:2-4
- 4. Isaiah 56:5
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