The Importance of A Name

# 16 – Today's Du-votional comes from 1Sa 1:20 So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked for him from the LORD." 21 Now the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, "Not until the child is weaned; then I will take him, that he may appear before the LORD and remain there forever." Hannah's prayer is answered, and she gives him a name that will forever remind her of answered prayer. His name 9Samuel) literally means, “asked of God.” Most of the time when we name our children, we usually either try to honor a family member, or someone that we esteem, or maybe pick a name because it just sounds good to us. In the Bible names are often chosen for their literal meaning. Kind of a cool idea when you think about it. Because as long as Samuel lived with Hannah, every time she called him for supper she was not just saying his name. She was saying “asked of God” “Time to eat answered prayer!” What a reminder! Guess what. Mary and Joseph named their baby Jesus, because “He shall save His people from their sins.” (Mt 1:21) Think about that. Every time you and I breathe the name “Jesus” we remind ourselves of this fact. Every time we end our prayers with “in Jesus Name I pray,” we are in effect saying, “because He shall save me from my sins.” When all is said and done, when the last word of prayer has escaped our lips, what a fitting end to any conversation with God. Father, thank You for giving us the name above all names by which we may pray, for he alone shall save us from our sins.