Genesis 17:5 “No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.”

This was a pivotal moment, not only in the history of the Jewish people but in the history of all mankind. The name change was significant for two reasons. The first was the meaning of the names. Abram means “Exalted Father,” and Abraham means, “Father of a Multitude.” That in itself is significant, certainly. At this point he had exactly one descendant, and that was by an Egyptian slave girl. “Exalted Father” had been given to him as an infant, when no one knew how his life might go, but having that changed at this point to “Father of a Multitude” was certainly a shocker. That much is obvious on the face of it, but the exact form of the name change is something most people overlook. The difference in spelling is essentially just the addition of an H, and in this case, that is deeply significant. Of course, the Hebrew letter looks different from our Roman letters, but the name of it is ruach. What makes it so significant is that ruach has a meaning by itself, quite apart from being the name of a letter, and that meaning is wind/breath/spirit. It is fascinating that in Greek, the language of the New Testament, pneuma has exactly the same tripartite meaning. What God was doing here was imparting His breath, His Spirit, into Abram, and that made him Abraham. God’s people could not exist, on any level, without the Spirit of God. It’s like Jesus said to His disciples, after the resurrection and before His ascension: “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49) We cannot work the works of God without His Spirit any more than Abram could become the father of a multitude on his own, at 99 years old!

I paid absolutely no attention to this before my personal encounter with the Holy Spirit, back in 1974. God had dealt with me on a personal level before that, and I have no question that I was His child, but I had no power. That’s not to say that once I had that experience, I instantly became some sort of “super hero;” I was and am still extremely human, sometimes distressingly so. However, I have seen and continue to see God speak and act through me in ways that I cannot explain, other than that He did it. I am deeply grateful, but I can take no personal credit. Yesterday we had a surprise visit from the pastor and his wife of one of the largest churches in the Japan Baptist Convention, and he seemed to be deeply moved by what the Lord said through me. That was Him, not me! On Thursday of this week a crew will be coming from a Christian media company to record three messages from me. If they’re just from me, they won’t do anybody any good! However, this company has done this before, and their past feedback indicates that God indeed speaks through me, and they want more of it. Before Thursday, I’ve got to listen carefully to hear what God wants me to say, because I don’t want to waste my time or theirs. God is indeed more than faithful, so I’m not at all anxious, but I’m never to take Him for granted – just as He had me say in the message yesterday!

Father, thank You for this timely reminder. Help me operate in and by Your Spirit all the time, and not just when a camera is focused on me. I will be interacting with various people today. May I be Your agent to them, by Your Spirit, so that they may be lifted up and drawn to You, even if the nature of our interaction seems to have nothing to do with that. May Your Spirit be free to move and act through all Your children, not just me, so that Your name may be acknowledged as holy and Your rule and reign be established as Your will is done, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!