Power in His Name
ICS Daily Devotions
Luke 1:30-32 (NKJV) Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.
A person’s name often carries a meaning and sometimes authority as well. For example, the names of famous people are often associated with their social status, achievements, and influence in society, and many people name-drop at meetings to boost their self-image regarding who they are and are associated with.
The angel was dispatched from the throne of God to bring a message to Mary regarding the incarnation and the name to be given to the son she was to give birth to. Because the name of Jesus was chosen in heaven by the Heavenly Father, it is backed by deity.
As Christians, the most powerful name that has been given to us for the enforcement of victory over demonic forces is the name of Jesus. Jesus wants you to use His name to accomplish His will on earth and to set the captives free!
The name Jesus means Saviour, and it is the same as the name Joshua in the Old Testament. It is given to our Lord because His special role is to save His people from their sins. He saves them from the guilt of sin by cleansing them in His atoning blood, and from the dominion of sin by putting in their hearts the sanctifying Spirit. He also saves them from the presence of sin when He takes them out of this world to rest with Him. He will save them from all the consequences of sin when He gives them a glorious body on the last day.
John 16:24 (NKJV) Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Up until this point, the people were not using the name of Jesus in their prayers and Jesus was instructing them to use His name if they wanted their prayers to be answered. Our prayers must be asked in Jesus’ name because it is the only name that moves the angels to work. Based on what we read in the Old Testament, ministering angels were dispatched to deliver answers to prayers. For instance, when Daniel prayed, the archangel Michael was dispatched to him, but he was hindered by the Prince of Persia, a demon in Satan’s hierarchy of fallen angels.
Praise the Lord! Today we have greater authority through the name of Jesus that’s been given to us in prayer because the name of Jesus is backed by His conquest and is above all names.
Matthew 28:18 (NKJV) And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Sermon Series: His Name Is Jesus
