January 13th
OUR TRUE IDENTITY
Dan 1:7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel [the name] of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
Do you know your true name? Did you know that being in confusion causes one to lose his identity? A name is important, and it connotes nature. Let us briefly examine the meanings of the names of Daniel’s friends and the power of their names and their trust in God. Please lay aside all of the fond memories of stories of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego because they are only Babylonish names that attempted to steal their true identity. Remember Babylon means confusion.
Hananiah means grace or favor; Mishael means who is like God; and Azariah means Jehovah has helped. Together they make a dynamic trio indeed! When they refused to give up their true identity and bow to an idol, their sentence was a fiery furnace. What made their keepers burn to death yet they had not even the smell of smoke upon them? How did the very fire that burned the ropes that bound them become powerless at their being, even their clothing? What about them opened the king’s eyes so that He saw the form or appearance of the Son of God with them in the furnace?
The fact is they never lost their true identity and trust in the God of Israel despite their circumstances. Together, their names speak perfectly to Christ, the Form in Whom dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Hananiah witnesses that grace and truth came by Jesus Christ the Son. Mishael shows us Jesus the Son as the likeness of God or express image of His person. Azariah, Jehovah has helped, identifies the Comforter or Spirit of Truth. Nothing is greater than our Covenant-keeping, Creator. Walk in the fullness of His power today!
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