HE KNOWS MY NAME

 

 Luke 10:20 (KJV)  “. . . but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” 

 

 

 

William Shakespeare once posed a question:  “What’s in a name?”  Our modern society usually places little significance on what they name their children other than the fact that it just “sounds good.” Some names become so popular that it seems that many children get the same name.  Then when those children start to school, there’s a classroom full of children named similar first names. 

 

To know that God knows my name is something that has caught my attention.  Oh yes, I have known that for years, but it has become even more real to me over the last several weeks. Just imagine the God of a universe as magnificent as ours, with Him even knowing the stars all by name (Ps. 147:4) and yet, He knows me personally, calling me by name. The God who made the heavens and the earth in their entire vast array (Gen. 2:1) knows me by name! It’s almost too much for my small mind to grasp.

 

At one of the restaurants that I frequent, when my lunch is ready my number is called.  One thing is for sure, with the Lord we’re not a number or just a statistic, but we’re known to Him by name.  Our name means something to God and He knows each of us by our name.  

 

Psalm 139 is a beautiful chapter and the thoughts David penned are thought provoking. To even see on paper the thoughts that God has concerning me is intriguing.  That such a man as David could even ponder such things had to be God ordained to start with!

 

In this chapter I saw how that God not only knows my name, but that He truly knows me, knows when I sit, when I rise, knows my every thought, knows when I go out, when I sleep and is familiar with all my ways. The Psalmist went on to say that even before a word is formed on my tongue, God knows it completely and that He has His hand upon me. He created my inmost being and knit me together in my mother’s womb. I just have to give Him praise because I am fearfully and wonderfully made!  (vs. 13-14) 

 

No matter where I go I cannot get away from God’s presence because He is there.  There have been times that I have wondered, “Where are you God?” But I have learned that He will never leave me or forsake me. (Heb. 13:5) No matter if I go up high into the heavens or make my bed in the depths of the sea, He is there.  (Psa. 139:8)  I am amazed that the Father would come to the rescue when I whisper His Name.  When I have a need, He is there.  When I’m doubtful, He reassures me and He is there.  When I’m worried, He is there to calm my fears.  When I’m in tears, He is there to wipe them.  When I’m at my lowest point, He is there to lift me.  When I’m too weak to stand, He is there to lean on.  When I need someone to wrap loving arms around me, He is there.  Whenever I have no one to turn to, He is there.  When I’m in need of a friend, He is there to stick closer than a brother.  When I cry out to Him in the midst of adversity, He is there to hear me.  When I am sad, He is there to make me glad.  When I am heavy burdened, He is there to take my yoke upon Himself.  When I’m restless, He is there to give me peace and quiets the stormy seas which threaten to overtake me.  When I’m weary from the battle that has raged against me, He is there to fight for me.  When I’m in a pit so deep that I don’t think I will ever get out, He is there to take hold of my hand and pull me out.  Wherever I go, He is there.  When I don’t think He’s there . . .  He is!  Why?  Because He knows my name! 

 

In Israel Houghton’s song, “Friend of God,” he asks our Father God a question, “Who am I that You are mindful of me?” (Ps. 8:4) Yes, God is mindful of us and we are so important to Him that He engraved us on the palms of His hands.  (Isa. 49:16) We are so significant to the Father that He indeed calls us by name.  John 10:3 says: “He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.”  It is indeed an honor for the Father to call us by name and be mindful of us. 

 

It was at this point in the writing of this devotional when I was at a standstill on knowing what direction the Lord would have me take, when my husband’s tenor voice echoed from the kitchen with an old song we haven’t sang together in years: “One day Jesus will call my name.  As days go by I hope I don’t stay the same.  I want to stay so close to Him that it’s no big change on that day that Jesus calls my name.” My husband didn’t have a clue what I was writing about, but we’ve always heard that God works in mysterious ways and from there I saw what direction to take with the rest of this devotional.  Praise God!

 

What I feel I should say to you is that we all need to be ready to meet the Lord at any time, night or day, in case He should call our name.  Psalm 139:16 says: “My days were written down in God’s book before one of them came to be,” which proves that we have a certain number of days to live.  When it’s our time to depart this life, we must return to our Maker.  Some live a short time, while others live for many years.  But one thing is for sure and that is that we have no promise of tomorrow, as I have said before in other devotionals. 

 

It could be that we may still be living at the time Jesus returns in the clouds of glory.  1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (KJV) tells us some wonderful things:  (16) For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.  (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 

 

One day it will be a happy day for many, but it’s also going to be a sad day for many others who never bothered to ensure that their names were recorded in the book of life by accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Those who have gone their own way, living any way they please are going to live forever in constant regret, while the saints will live forever in constant rejoicing. The saints will rejoice knowing that they overcame the enemy by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. (Rev. 12:11) It’s my hope that you will make sure that your name is recorded in the Lamb’s book of life because it’s the most important book you’ll ever have your name recorded in. I pray that you will be ready to meet the Lord whenever He calls your name.

 

Prayer:

Father, I thank You that You surely know our names and know all about us.  I pray for each of my friends and family reading this message and pray that they will make sure that their names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.  What an honor to have our names written down for all eternity and that we will worship before the Throne of our God with great rejoicing.  What an exciting time it will be for all the overcomers and all who have their garments spotless and white.  Thank You Jesus for what You did for us on the cross of Calvary.  Thank You for the Blood You spilled out for our sins.  Thank You that You indeed love us so much that You would give Your life for us.  We come in repentance asking You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness so that our robes will be washed spotless and white.  Take away our every sin and make us white as snow.  We will live our lives for You always.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.