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He Calls Me By Name

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you… “Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name, you are mine."¹

 

At one time or another we have all walked into a quick-service restaurant, you know, where you walk up to the counter, order your food, and are given a receipt with a big, bold number at the top. A few minutes later, someone shouts: “847, your order is ready!” You look around for half a second before realizing, “Oh, That is me! I am 847!" Suddenly, you have become just one more number in the line of people waiting for a cheeseburger. Recently, my family visited a different quick-service chain and upon completing my order, the clerk asked, “Can I have a name for this order?” So I gave them my daughter’s name. A few minutes later we heard, “Olivia, your food is ready!” My daughter instantly perked up, “Mom, He knows my name!” There is a feeling of warmth that comes when someone calls you by name and you are more than a number.

 

When we become children of God, you can rest assured that He knows your name. When Moses stood before the presence of God in Exodus 33, he placed his request saying, “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.” (v.13) To which the Lord replied, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” (v.17) In John 20, Mary Magdalene was having a hard time believing that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead while speaking to whom she believed to be the gardener. But He got her attention when Jesus said to her, “Mary.” (v.16) Over and over again in Scripture we see that names are important to God. He has extended a personal invitation to you, by name, to share in His glory for all eternity. Take comfort in knowing that to God we are not just a number — He knows YOU and He calls YOU by name!

 

Suggested prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, what a comfort to know that my name has been written in your book, that I am a child of God, that you have called me by name and I am Yours. Thank you, Jesus, for the promise of an eternity with you. Amen.

 

1.    Isaiah 43:1 (ESV).

 

Today’s Encounter was written by: Veronica B.