I Know Your Name
When I go to the hospital or another formal setting, they always call be by my full name, or Mrs Webster; those who know me well will call me Pam. What somebody calls you is often a give away of how much they know you or the kind of relationship you have; whether someone knows you and your name, or are just reading it from a piece of paper. Someone taking the trouble to know, and remember, your name is powerful and meaningful. I always feel much more predisposed to someone who has taken the trouble to do that.
God knows Cyrus‘ name, and uses it as he calls him.
Isaiah 45:1-7 (CEV)
Cyrus Obeys the Lord’s Commands
45 The Lord said to Cyrus, his chosen one:
I have taken hold
of your right hand
to help you capture nations
and remove kings from power.
City gates will open for you;
not one will stay closed.
2 As I lead you,
I will level mountains
and break the iron bars
on bronze gates of cities.
3 I will give you treasures
hidden in dark
and secret places.
Then you will know that I,
the Lord God of Israel,
have called you by name.
4 Cyrus, you don’t even know me!
But I have called you by name
and highly honored you
because of Israel,
my chosen servant.
5 Only I am the Lord!
There are no other gods.
I have made you strong,
though you don’t know me.
6 Now everyone from east to west
will learn that I am the Lord.
No other gods are real.
7 I create light and darkness,
happiness and sorrow.
I, the Lord, do all of this.
Cyrus didn’t know God, but that didn’t stop God knowing him and calling to him. God is going to do great things, through Cyrus, for his people, but it all begins with God knowing him and calling him.
I believe this is not just for Cyrus. It is for us all. This is a personal God, who hasn’t just heard of us, but knows about us. He knows our name, the one we call ourselves, and uses it. God knows us, intimately; cares about us; loves us; and calls us. He has something for each one of us to do. Whoever we are, wherever we are coming from, God calls to each one of us, by our name, and leads us on to the task he has for us.
Our job may not, or may, be as big as rescuing a whole nation, but it is what God is asking of us. As he calls us, he equips us for it, and leads us.
I am precious to God. He knows me, calls me and leads me.
You are precious to him too, and he calls and leads you.
Thank you Lord,
that you have not just heard about me,
but know my name.
You know
what I am truly capable of,
and you have a task,
just for me,
that you call me to.
As I hear your call,
may I hear
and respond
to what you ask of me,
not in my strength,
but yours
Pam's Perambulation 