Today we celebrate 19 years of life for my son, Jacob Daniel.
I believe that names and their meanings and background are very important. So in 2002, when we chose Jacob’s name, I knew it was biblical, as well as his middle name, Daniel. I knew the story of Daniel in the lions’ den and how Daniel’s faith could not be shaken. He was faithful to God to the point that he went against the laws that were instated through the land, and he continued to pray to the one and only God. He refused to compromise and pray to any other god except our Almighty God, Jehovah Jireh! And because of his faithfulness, he was thrown into a lions’ den. But God honored his loyalty, and God saved him from being killed in the den of lions. But I never liked the fact that Jacob was the deceiver to his father, Isaac and his brother, Esau. I always wondered if I was putting more of a curse or a title than a blessing on our son. I liked this name so much that I just focused on the love story of Jacob and Rachel and felt that our son would be a romantic in life (which he is).
Now 19 years later, I have discovered something mind-blowing to me. First of all, let me explain that even though I have been a Christian most of my life, I have never really dug into the “meat” of the Bible. I know a lot of the key scriptures and stories in the Bible, but I’ve never really read it from cover to cover. Throughout the pandemic of 2020, something positive that has come from it is that my faith and relationship with Jesus Christ has grown stronger and deeper. I have been reading more of the Bible and have been participating in different bible studies. At the beginning of this year, two of my sisters-in-love and I began a Bible plan to read the whole thing from beginning to end, in one year. So I am now reading more books of the Bible than I’ve ever read in my lifetime, and I am loving it! The Bible is so much more interesting than we can imagine!
I have read the full story of Jacob, and I have come to realize that he had so much favor with God. He was so much more than who I thought he was. And then just this past week, I read this scripture in Psalm 135:4 (NLT) – “For the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for his own special treasures.” I love this verse because it is now a reminder to me of the blessing and words of affirmation from God to Jacob. Jacob was renamed Israel, and he represents God’s chosen people. When I read this a few nights ago, I was literally in tears of gratitude and joy. I realized that even when I didn’t know it, God was already showing favor and a blessing on my son, Jacob. When I thought I was choosing a name because I liked the sound of it, God was guiding me to that name to show how powerful and impacting Jacob’s life would be.
Jacob is now 19 – yes, he has made mistakes. He has his flaws, just like the Jacob in the Bible. But that is not what I see when I look at him. I see a young man with a great calling, a great plan, and a great purpose in life. I see a young man who God has shown favor. Jacob is a worship leader, Jacob is a natural athlete, Jacob has a quiet spirit, but he knows when to speak up for what he believes in. Now I actually feel excited and proud and so blessed that we chose this special name for our son. Chosen by God!! WOW!!
Happy 19th Birthday my son, Jacob Daniel!
FindJoy 