1/19 Genesis 17:5

⁵ No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.

As God introduced His covenant with Abram, God changed Abram's name to Abraham. For the Hebrew people, the name of a person described their destiny. Abram means "exalted father" and Abraham means "father of a multitude." The covenant stated that Abraham would be the father of kings, that his descendants would inherit all the land of Canaan, and that God would be their God.

Later in the passage God also changed the name of his wife Sarai to Sarah. Sarah means "princess". In the New Testament, Saul became Paul. Paul tells us that we are all by nature children of wrath. We are all born with a sinful nature (Ephesians 2:3). But God can change our destiny, not only our destiny here on earth, but our eternal destiny as well. It is God's intervention in the life of Abraham that made him the father of the people of faith. God can change our destinies as well.

It is God's heart to change the destiny of every fallen man and woman to a son and daughter of God (John 1:12). That makes us princes and princesses of God. You may not see a vision or have an angel appear to you, but God may intervene in your life through His word, or one of His children, or directly influence your spirit as you pray. That is your invitation to have your destiny changed. God's plans for you are much greater than any you have imagined for yourself.

Consider: Have you accepted God's grace that changes your identity and your destiny? If you have, thank Him for intervening in your life. If not, the fact that you are reading this may very well be His invitation to you.