Luke 10:20 ". . . 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 children are named, other than the fact that it just “sounds good.” Some names become so popular that by the time children go to school, there’s a host of others with the same name!
Lately, just thinking that my Heavenly Father knows my name has me pondering on that fact. Oh yes, I have known it for years, but it has become even more evident to me over the past several weeks. For me to think that the God of this magnificent universe, who knows each star by name, also knows my name is simply incredible. (Ps. 147:4) Imagine, the God who made the heavens and the earth in its entire vast array, actually knows me by name! (Gen. 2:1) It’s almost too much to grasp!
Psalm 139 is a beautiful chapter. The thoughts David penned are quite thought provoking. To even see on paper the thoughts God has concerning me is intriguing. That a man such as David could think such things had to be God-ordained to begin with.
In that chapter, I saw how God not only knows my name, but that He knows when I sit and when I rise, knows my every thought, knows when I go out and when I come in, 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. He even has His hand upon me. He created my inmost being and knit me together in my mother’s womb. I have to give Him praise because I am fearfully and wonderfully made! (Ps. 139: 13-14)
No matter where I go, I cannot get away from God’s presence. There have been times when I have wondered where God was, but found in His Word that He will never leave me or forsake me. (Heb. 13:5) No matter if I go high into the heavens or make my bed in the depths of the sea, He is there. (Ps. 139:8)
It’s amazing to see that the Father comes to the rescue when I whisper His Name.
When I have a need, He is there.
When I’m doubtful, He reassures me.
When I’m worried, He is there to calm my fears.
When I’m in tears, He is there to wipe them away.
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.
When I have no one to turn to, He is there.
When I need a friend, He is there because He sticks closer than a brother.
When I cry out to Him in the midst of adversity, He is there to hear me.
When I’m sad, He is there to make me glad.
When I’m heavy burdened, He is there to take my yoke upon Himself.
When I’m restless, He is there to give me peace and quiet the stormy seas which threaten to overtake me.
When I’m weary from the battle which rages against me, He is there to fight for me.
When I am in a pit so deep that I think I’ll never get out, He is there to take hold of my hand.
Wherever I go, He is there.
When I don’t think He’s there . . . He is! Why? Because He knows my name!
It was at this point of this writing that I was at a standstill on knowing which direction to take, when I heard my husband’s tenor voice echoing from the kitchen with an old song we sang together years ago. “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 I’ve always heard that the Lord works in mysterious ways. All I could do was smile.
What I feel prompted to say is that we need to be ready to meet the Lord at any time, day or night, should He 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 on this earth. When it’s our time to depart, we must return to our Maker. As we already know, some of us live a short time, while others live for many years. One thing is for sure, we have no promise of tomorrow.
It could be that we may be living at the time Jesus returns. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 tells us:
"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. 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 time for many, but a sad day for many others who never bothered to ensure that their names were recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Those who have gone their own way, living any way they please will be in constant regret, while the saints of God will live forever in unceasing joy and bliss.
It’s my hope and prayer that you are ready to meet the Lord when He calls your name.
Prayer:
Father, I thank You that You surely know our names and know all about us. What an honor to have our names written down for all eternity and know that we will worship before the Throne of our God with great rejoicing forever and ever. What an exciting time it will be for every overcomer and for all who have their garments spotless and white. Thank You Father for what Jesus did for us on the Cross of Calvary. Thank You for the Blood spilled for our sins. Thank You that He indeed loved us so much that He gave His very 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. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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