Morning Meditation: "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance of the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come." - Ephesians 1:18-21

When the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us He was given the name "Jesus." "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). In ancient times a person's name stood for the full character of what they were and did. God's name is His identity and His reputation. The name by which God wanted to be known when He took on human flesh represented exactly what He came to do - "the Lord saves." From the moment of His birth His true nature was revealed to the world. "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:8). Jesus Christ took on the nature of a servant and died the most humiliating death to fulfill the will of the Father and bring salvation to man. And God exalted Him and honored Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (v.10-11).

Jesus has been "raised and lifted up and highly exalted" (Isaiah 52:13), and has been given "all authority in heaven and on earth" (Matthew 28:18). Before Him every knee will bow and all will acknowledge Him as Lord (Romans 14:11). This is the Faithful One who has signed our marriage covenant - with the power of His blood and the authority of His name. When we accept His offer of love by faith we are eternally secure in Him and our covenant can never be revoked. Praise the One whose name is above all names - Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, and highly exalted King! Repent of days that have gone by where we have failed to mention His glorious name and all that He's done for us!

(Romans 10:9-13)

Afternoon Devotion: "Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says, "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises." And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again He says, "Here am I, and the children God has given Me."- Hebrews 2:11-13

One of man's first acts of dominion over creation was to name the animals (Genesis 2:19). In the Scriptures, to give someone or something a name was a sign of ownership or authority. When God gave Abram the new name "Abraham," He did so to identify Abram as His servant, and to provide him a name that corresponded with the covenant blessings on his life. "No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you the father of many nations" (Genesis 17:5). Joseph was given a new name in Egypt when he was placed under the authority of Pharaoh (Genesis 41:45); and Daniel and his friends were also given new names when they were taken captive to Babylon (Daniel 1:7). These men were subject to the authority they were placed under, and their new names revealed the new kingdom they were now a part of.

(Proverbs 22:1)