“To the one who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.” (Rev. 2:17)
Lord Jesus, first and foremost, we offer you loud praise and a huge “Thank you” on this August Monday—for you are the quintessential Overcomer. It’s only because you overcame our sin (Heb.1:3), death itself (1Cor.15:54-57) and the world (Jn.16:33) that we humbly wear the label “overcomers.” Our overcoming is 100% by your grace, not our grit.
Indeed, it’s only because you drank the cup of our judgment that we’ll feast forever on the “hidden manna” of heaven. We will overcome all the way into the new heaven and new earth, because our lives are hidden in you and you live your life in us, Jesus.
Now about that “new name” thing—whether or not we’ll get an additional name in heaven remains to be seen. However, in a world of dismissive labels and demeaning titles it’s wonder-full to know you already say to us, “Beloved, you are mine and my righteousness is yours. I desire you and my delight is in you. I cannot love you more and I will never love you less.” That glorious reality is far better than any new nickname we might get.
Jesus, we are grateful what you say about us renames, renews, and releases us from every destructive label we’ve been given in life. “Such-a’s” no longer define us. “You’re such a bore, such a whiner, such a loser, such a bother…” If anything, we are such a blessed, known, and loved people. Thank you, and So Very Amen.