Abram became Abraham; Sarai became Sarah; Jacob became Israel; Simon became Peter;

and Saul became Paul.

These name changes occurred in Scripture after individuals recognized the Lordship of

God/Jesus and followed in obedience.

And the same Lord that they followed knew them when. God knew them when they laughed at

God’s promises, He knew them when they wrestled with Him, He knew them when they made

brash decisions, and He knew them when they persecuted His people. He knew them from the

beginning:

For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are

wondrous, and I know this very well. My bones were not hidden from you when I was

made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw me when I

was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of

them began. (Psalm 139:13-16 CSB)

You see, God formed each of them just the way He wanted them to be -- with all their strengths

and weaknesses.

Specifically, He made Saul to be zealous, faithful and bold. Before he encountered Jesus, Saul

used those gifts to “protect” the Jewish faith at all costs. God used those same gifts after Paul’s

conversion to promote the Christian faith at all costs.

This same God who created Saul (and Abram, Sarai, Jacob and Simon) created you. He gave

you gifts, talents and abilities. Perhaps like these people who had not recognized God’s

authority over their lives, you are not yet using them for God’s kingdom.



God made you just he way He wanted you to be. Walk in obedience to Him and He will use you

to make a difference.

By LaRaine Rice