Daniel 1:7 NLT:
The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego.
Our identity is layered and complex. From those layers, we all intuitively select a foundational identifier from which we see ourselves and project to others. For instance, our last name is a layer. “I’m a Jones or Smith.” Our ethnicity is a layer: “I’m Italian or Hispanic.” Our career is a layer: “I’m a doctor, teacher, etc.” Looks, beauty, physical appearance, style, financial status, education, hobbies… You get the picture.
Far worse, the Babylonian spirit seeks to enslave us by deceptively imposing an identity that defies what God has declared about us. “I’m an addict…an alcoholic,” or, “I’m gay,” or, “I’m dumb.”
Daniel was successful because he knew who he was and the foundation upon which his life was built. Babylon tempted Daniel to build his life on his youth, good looks, and intelligence. It went further by imposing a name on him that would confuse his gender identity and loyalty to God. Belteshazzar means, “Lady, protect the king.” Daniels means, “God is my judge.” Daniel knew his name.
At salvation, God replaces all other faulty foundations by setting His Spirit in us. Our last name doesn’t change, nor does our ethnicity, career, or physical appearance. However, our spirit is reborn, and our origin is changed. No longer are we “of this world” nor identified by this world. We are “of God” (1 John 4:4).
For instance, a person who identifies as “gay” can receive Jesus and change how they identify. At salvation, they realize they are not in fact “gay,” but rather flawed and broken children of God – just like the rest of us – all in need of a Great Physician. They can say, “I struggle with the sin of homosexuality, but by God’s grace, I will not be defined or ruled by it.” 2 Corinthians 5:16-18 (MSG) says:
We don’t evaluate people (or ourselves) by what they have or how they look… Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with Christ gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life emerges! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other (and our relationship with ourselves).
All other foundations will fail. Beauty fades, careers end, and our names will be forgotten. But our relationship to God as Father is eternal and unshakable. This is who we are! Settle this in you!
Prayer:
Father, I am Your son/daughter! I am saved! I am holy because You’re holy, and I’m of You. I am secure in Your love and favor. I do not depend on the favor of others to be confident because Your favor is dependable. I am the righteousness of God in Christ. My life is built on the foundation of Your word and will stand the test of time. I am Yours, and You are mine. This is sealed by You, Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name!