May 4, 2026 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Proverbs
Proverbs 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
This proverb is not talking about the name your parents gave you, although that should be chosen with wisdom.
This text is talking about the name you give yourself by what you do. Are known for being a thief, or a blasphemer or a drunk or a pervert or always on dope? Is your name associated with anger and hatred or violence? Are you know as a sluggard or lazy; are you known for making unwise decisions? The list goes on and on for those who have given themselves a name contrary to that which is good and right.
I am reminded of Nimrod who was know to be a mighty hunter before the Lord. He hunted the souls of men. He perverted the ways of the LORD.
Genesis 10:9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.
The phrase “before the LORD” does not mean in front of the LORD, he hunted souls before they could be of the LORD. He wanted souls to die before they could be saved. Nimrod gave himself a terrible name.
We also know of Judas who was a traitor to the Lord.
One of Jesus’ brothers was named Judas; his name was given before the wicked Judas had sinned against the Lord.
The name Judas means, “he shall be praised.” The Judas that betrayed the Lord brought an astigmatism to his name because of his sin.
Matthew 26:14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
He sold out the Lord for thirty pieces of silver. The love of money is the root of all evil. He fell and brought shame to his name.
He tried to correct his error but failed because he repented unto himself rather than God.
Matthew 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
What name are you associated with when people remember you or think of you?
Proverbs 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
Did you know, you can have a new name a better name and that all of your transgressions can be forgiven?
God writes about this to the wonderful church of Philadelphia.
Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Only the Lord can change your name. For us, the believers born again, the new name is called Christian.
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook
