He Knows My Name
Gordon Crook, PastorGrace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas
“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:29-30
As we come into a closer relationship with our Heavenly Father, we will come to realize how much He cares about us. He has been very open about His care for us in His Word.
I am reminded of a song “He Knows My Name” sung by the Rochesters (and others)
He counts the stars, one and all
He knows how much sand is on the shores
He sees every sparrow that falls
He made the mountains and the seas
He’s in control of everything
Of all creatures, great and small
[Chorus]
And He knows my name Every step that I take
Every move that I make Every tear that I cry
He knows my name
When I’m overwhelmed by the pain
And can’t see the light of day
I know I’ll be just fine
‘Cause He knows my name
I don’t know what tomorrow will bring
I can’t tell you what’s in store
I don’t know a lot of things
I don’t have all the answers
To the questions of life
But I know in Whom I have believed.
As Jesus walked here, when Nathanael came to Him, He speaks to Nathanael as one who knows him, and Nathanael asks; “Whence knowest thou me?” and Jesus replies; “Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.” (John 1:48). Jesus knew Nathanael before He even met him. He also knows you, even if you do not realize it yet.
If we go back to the Old Testament, we find God, on more than one occasion, calling ones by their name. In Genesis, we find Him calling Adam in the garden. “And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?” Genesis 3:9. God knew where Adam was, but He wanted Adam to respond to His call. He is calling us today, by name, and wants us to respond.
We find Him calling Abraham. “And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.” Genesis 22:11. And Jacob. “And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.” Genesis 46:2.
In Exodus we find Him calling Moses. “And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.” Exodus 3:4.
In 1 Samuel, we find Him calling Samuel. “And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; that the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.” 1 Samuel 3:4-10 God has always known the name of His people.
When Elijah was severely depressed about his situation, God came to him and called him by his name. “And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:9. God cares about each individual. He cares when you are. He knows your discouragement and will call you by name to show you He has a way out.
This always amazes me. The truth is that I am not generally very good with names. Even though I rarely forget a face, it takes me some time of being around someone to really remember their name. However, God knew my name before I ever was, and before I came to Him, He had already called me.
So why does it matter that God knows my name? It reminds me that He deals with each individual and knows my specific, individual needs, concerns and distresses. Unlike so many things in this world, you are not just a number to God. You are His dear child whom He knows intimately and is always listening for your cry.
Read Psalm 139. It will encourage you to know the Lord in a closer more intimate way in your life as you realize just how much you mean to Him. He cares, He watches over you and He calls you closer every day.
