The beginning of a journey should always be preceded by beautiful expectations. Mine began with the baptismal name of Gabriel, named after St. Gabriel the archangel. He is the messenger of God and one of the three angels mentioned by name in the Bible. St. Gabriel is the Patron Saint of Communications, Postal Workers, Messengers, Broadcasters and Telecommunications.
Gabriel appeared twice before Daniel (Daniel 8:16-26, 9-21), one of them foretelling the coming of the Messiah. He appeared before Zechariah (Luke 1:11-20) to announce the birth of John the Baptist. Finally he told Mary (Luke 1:25-38) that she had been chosen to conceive Jesus.
The name Gabriel was chosen for its significance in meaning. The first time I prayed with all my heart, God answered but not what I had asked for. He gave me a beautiful vision that will be cherished for as long as I live instead. He pulled me up when I was drowning in a sea of sorrows. He gave me strength when I was at my weakest. God is my strength ? that is what Gabriel means in Hebrew.
?Peter Gabriel, I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.?
Those were words most sweet that ever came into my ears. This name is in honour of Him who had given me a renewed vigour in life and beautiful expectations of what is to come. My strength will always come from Him. Praise God, for I have seen the Light and heard the Word.
In the beginning was the Word:
the Word was with God
and the Word was God.
(John 1:1)
Indeed, God is our source of strength, a helper in times of need =)
Blessed Easter, Peter!
Jinny,
A Blessed Easter to you too.
gabriel is a nice name. it is not common like peter and paul.
peter, since you baptised and confirmed at same time, you picked only one name. whereas me, a born catholic, i have a confirmation name, and it is ‘juliana’. but this name is not used at all.
when you mentioned that gabriel means ‘god is my strength’ it reminds me of this beautiful hymn, one of my favourite – ‘as the deer’, the chorus goes:
you alone are my strength, my shield
to you alone my spirit yield
you alone are my heart’s desire
and i long to worship you
the 3 verses are also very meaningful. do you know this hymn, peter?
Juliana,
:o) I do not know that hymn but I like it already.
The song is “As the Deer Pants”. Lyrics drawn from Psalm 42:1-2 …
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”
In this hymn, (words and music by Martin Nystrom) both the tune and the words fittingly express the spiritual longing of a sincere soul.
Here you go…
As the deer pants for the water
So my soul longs after you
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship you
Chorus:
You alone are my strength, my shield
To you alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship you
I want You more than gold or silver
Only You can satisfy
You alone are the real joy-giver
And the apple of my eye
Repeat Chorus
*** John Michael Talbot has some achingly beautiful renditions that both inspire and soothe… particularly in times when groans and sighs grow too deep for words.
John Michael Talbot’s renditions of various other Psalms, I mean.
Looking for lyrics to songs? Here’s a good source that I normally use:
http://www.higherpraise.com
The last verse of As the Deer (key of D)
You’re my friend and
You are my brother
Even though You are a King
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything
Happy worshipping.
Arusa,
Thank you for sharing the lyrics.
Jenny,
Thanks for sharing the link.
Actually, in Daniel 8:16, Gabriel’s appearance was to explain the vision of the ram and the he-goat, whilst in Dan 9:21-27 it was to communicate the prediction of the seventy weeks.
Arusa,
Right. Thanks for sharing.