Day 3: On the Road to Damascus

Day 3 From Israel to Damascus

Today’s road is older than dirt. Back when Egypt and Mesopotamia dominated the Middle East, they called this road the Via Maris, and used it predominantly as military and commercial “interstate freeways.” The Romans then developed the well-traveled routes into roads, setting up mile-markers for maintenance purposes and tolls. (Tollways have been around a long time!)

For people of faith, a funny thing often happens on this road. Somewhere along the way, they encounter God—and they are changed. Even their names. When Abram left his home in Mesopotamia  “not knowing where he was going,” he followed this route on his way from Haran to Shechem. It was here that God changed his name from Abram to Abraham (“ha”—spirit-filled.)  It was on this road that Jesus asked His disciples in Caesarea Phillipi “Who do you think I am?” Peter responded, “You are the Christ.” Jesus then changed his name from Peter, “pebble” to Cephas, “rock.”

Of course, the most dramatic change on this road happened a short time later. When Saul, a Pharisee named after Israel’s first king and hero, traveled this road to Damascus, he was on a mission. Armed with credentials to arrest the “Followers of the Way,” he was blinded by a light brighter than the sun. So dramatic was the change in his life afterward that his name also changed. We now know him as Paul.

You know these stories, but do you that God is changing you today? Aren’t you glad? So what should your new name be? Should it go from “Wavering” to “Steadfast”? “Timid” to “Bold”? “Ego” to “Servant”? Consider the changes that God has made in you in the last year and be encouraged. Then consider what He wants to do in you in the next year and be committed.

Today’s Memory Maker:

Choose a new name for yourself that describes a key component of your character that you desire God to develop. (See list of names and meanings.)

Read all about it:  Abraham: Genesis 17:4-5; Peter: Matthew 16:17-19; Paul: Acts 9; 13:9

Map: Northern border of Israel, Caesarea Phillipi, Damascus, Sea of Galilee