He Knows Your Name

 By: Lauren Thomas 

Don’t you love it when someone calls you by your name? Especially someone you admire, appreciate, or have affection for? There’s something special about someone you love speaking your name out loud. 

For the people of God in the Bible, living within their Hebrew culture, names were powerful. Names were full of meaning. And when a person named something, it signified a kind of power over that thing which was named. 

 

God has this power. We read about it in Psalms: 

 

He determines the number of the stars;
    he gives to all of them their names.

Psalm 147:4 (ESV)

 

Toward the end of the book of John, there is a unique account about a post-resurrection interaction between Mary Magdalene and Jesus. Whether due to her weeping or his supernatural disguise, Mary doesn’t initially recognize Jesus. She thinks she is speaking to a gardener. Until he calls her by name: “Mary.” And she immediately responds, “Teacher!” having now recognized him (See John 20:11-18). I get chills very time. 

 

Do you know that God knows your name as well?

 

Lift up your eyes on high and see:
    who created these?
He who brings out their host by number,
    calling them all by name;
by the greatness of his might
    and because he is strong in power,
    not one is missing.

Isaiah 40:26 (ESV)

 

If God knows the names of the stars, He knows your name too. He doesn’t miss a single star. How could he overlook your name? If you’ve ever experienced the pain of someone you like forgetting your name, you can be sure this isn’t how God is toward you. 

 

In fact, in Revelation, we read:

 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

Revelation 2:17 (ESV)

 

So not only does God know your name and remember your name, but He also has a special name that will between the two of you one day! In heaven, you’ll have such an intimate relationship with Him that He will give you a name that only you will understand. 

 

Take a moment to imagine Jesus audibly calling you by name. What does it feel like? He knows your name, He remembers your name, and He looks forward to giving you a special name, just for you!

 

Refection:

What thoughts, emotions, or sensations are evoked when you imagine the Lord calling you by name?

What do you imagine could be written on your “white stone”?