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Name Meanings: How Is Your Name Prophetic?

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Name Meanings: How Is Your Name Prophetic?

Name Meanings: How Is Your Name Prophetic?

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches…” Proverbs 22:1 (ESV)

Most people love seeing their name.  Personalized items are always in demand.  However, did you know that your name and your name meanings might have a lot more to do with your life than you think?  Your name meanings might actually describe some of your character traits and/or the traits that God will use in you to accomplish His will for your future.

When your parents named you they may have not even had name meanings in mind (I don’t think my parents did–I was named after a horse!), but that doesn’t mean that God didn’t have the name meanings in mind.  God very well may have inspired them to choose your exact name.  God knew your name and had a plan in mind for you before you were even born!

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart…” Jeremiah 1:5 (NLT)

“Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began.” Psalm 139:16 (HCSB) 

Did you know that your name meanings might have a lot more to do with your life than you think?

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My name meanings

We’ve been talking recently about fighting some of the fears that we face (previous posts here and here).  One of the things I didn’t mention is that I often use my name meanings to help me fight fear from time to time.  The name “Tracy” means “courageous”, “brave” or “warrior” (maybe that’s why the horse was named Tracy 🙂 ).  It may seem a little silly, but more often than not that little bit of information has been enough for me to give myself a boost to stand up to my fear and to do things afraid.  I will say to myself, “Your name means courageous and brave.  You can do this.”

My middle name is “Jeannette” which means “grace of God”.  I have also experienced not only God’s grace in my life, but I believe that God has graciously given me the ability to have grace with others.  Looking back on my life, I honestly have a hard time comprehending how I made it through certain times.  I have had the ability and power to make it through situations that I ordinarily would never be able to handle.  God’s grace, his ability and enabling power, was evident in my life.

Names can be prophetic

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The Name of Jesus Gives Us an Elevated Position

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The Name of Jesus Gives Us an Elevated Position

The Name of Jesus Gives Us an Elevated Position

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV)

When I was little my mom and dad would have my sisters, brothers, and I memorize bible verses. One of the verses that I still remember to this day is Proverbs 18:10. I think one of my favorite memories of this verse was when my twin brothers were very young when we memorized this particular verse, maybe 3 or 4 years old. At mealtimes when we prayed my brothers always wanted to say the prayer, and they would say this verse instead of actually praying for the food. It made us all laugh every time!

“Dear Jesus, The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous [then they would shout this next part at the top of their lungs] RUN INTO IT [and then back to a calm, normal voice] and are safe. Amen.”

As funny as that was, this verse always stuck with me. I knew that the name of God (or Jesus) brought safety. In moments of fear, I remembered this verse and knew I could call of the name of Jesus.

Calling on the name of Jesus as a child

I specifically remember one instance when this verse came to mind. I might have been in the 5th grade (or somewhere around that age). It was winter, and we had a snowstorm that year. We started a fire in our old woodstove fireplace, and after a while we started to hear what sounded like a low roaring thunder sound. My parents noticed the chimney (it was one of those old-time exposed chimneys) started to turn red, and my dad knew immediately that we had a fire in the chimney.

My dad shut the fireplace and called the fire department, and my mom quickly rushed the 5 of us kids outside. As we hurried outside, that verse came to mind. I thought, “Jesus’ name is safe. We need to run to Jesus’ name.” So then I started to say out loud, “We’re safe in Jesus’ name. We’re safe in Jesus’ name. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.” I repeated this over and over.

Within minutes the fire department arrived at our house. Since the fire was still contained in the chimney, the firemen were able to get on top of the roof to put the fire out through the top of the chimney. The fireman tackled the fire from an elevated position (a theme you’ll see repeated as you keep reading). They didn’t even need to use their firehoses. They just shoveled some of the snow from the top of the roof to snuff it out, which was amazing because it eliminated any flooding or damage that a water hose could have potentially caused.

The name of Jesus is a place of safety

The name of Jesus was a place of safety that I ran to in that moment that alleviated my fears and, I believe, protected us from danger and destruction. There have been other situations where I’ve done something similar, calling on Jesus in times of trouble. Even to this day in moments of fear or need, I find myself whispering under my breath, “Jesus, help.” His name is a fortress that I can run to for help and protection. 

Jesus’ name is a fortress that we can run to for help and protection.

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A different take on Proverbs 18:10

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