DECLARING WHO WE ARE
In the Old Testament, it was common that names given by parents to their children often determined their future. In 1 Chronicles, we read the account of Jabez. The Bible tells us that his mother named him Jabez (“borne in pain”) because she gave birth to him in pain. Because of his name, those around him saw him as someone destined for a life of sorrow, pain, and hardship. However, Jabez knew who he was in God and boldly asked God to bless and prosper him.
We need to know our God-given identity. Before Jabez asked God to bless him, he had to first know who he was in God. To declare who we are in God, we first need to know what God says about us. God says that we are blessed, loved and highly favoured! Dive deep into God’s word to know what He says about you and believe that nothing will ever change God’s heart toward you.
Choose to reject the lies of the enemy. The enemy will come and distort who God says we are (e.g. that we are worthless and not deserving of any love). When we choose to believe what the enemy says about us, we lose sight of God’s heart towards us. God’s word is an effective shield against the lies of the enemy. When the enemy tells us that we’re not deserving of God’s love, declare Romans 8:38-39 over yourself!
Today, make a decision to reject who the enemy says you are, and like Jabez, allow what God says about you to determine your identity. Have you given in to the identity that others have given to you? Don’t lose heart! Today, know that God’s heart towards you is good. He desires to move from where you are, to the place that He wants you to be. Believe that God’s heart towards you is good and boldly declare that over your life!
Reflect:
- What are some of the labels that you’ve allowed to become your identity? Surrender them to God and allow Him to reveal who you are in Him.
- What does God say about you? List down some of the ways that God describes you from the Bible (e.g. fearfully and wonderfully made).
Prayer:
Dear God, I thank You that Your thoughts towards me are good and that You desire to prosper me in all that I do. Today, I choose to assume the identity that You have given to me, that in Your sight, I am loved, blessed, and highly favoured. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Read:
1 Chronicles 4:9-10 NIV
”Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.“
Romans 8:38-39 NIV
”For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.“