Now this is what the Lord says- the One who created you, Jacob, and the One who formed you, Israel-“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name and you are Mine. I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn you. Isaiah 43:1-2 HCSB
I am the world’s worst when it comes to remembering names. When I meet someone and I know that it will be important to remember their name, I have to find some sort of way to put the name with their face. Even then, there is a good chance that I will not remember their name. For me to remember someone’s name, I have to enter some sort of personal relationship with them whether it be co-worker, friend, church member, etc. But if I meet someone and know that there is a slim chance that I will be seeing them on a regular basis, well I just don’t store that information into my little brain. There’s way too much in there already so I have to filter some stuff.
When I am trying to get to know someone I usually want to know two things. I want to know their favorite flavor of ice cream and their favorite color. I used to find this especially important if I was considering a romantic relationship with a man in my dating years. Often times, early in the relationship I would ask them to tell me their favorite flavor of ice cream and their favorite color. Why? Because vanilla and blue was the most common answer. Now my favorite flavor of ice cream is rocky road and my favorite color is pink ( just about any shade). When I met my husband and asked these questions of him, he answered rocky road and black. Right away, I thought that this was a good thing. Now some of you are reading this and wondering if there is a point to this story and there is so let me get there. You see, knowing these things about someone is knowing personal information. We have to intentionally take time out of our busy schedules to get to know someone. We have to take the time to ask someone what their likes and dislikes are.
Think about the fact that Jesus knows each and every one of us by name. Every single human being on this planet, wow! He remembers our names. He knows what our favorite color is and He knows our favorite flavor of ice cream. Do you know how many hairs are on your head? I don’t, but God does (Luke 12:7). Do you know the future that God has planned for you (Jeremiah 29:11)? The Bible tells us that before we were even formed in our mother’s womb that God knew us (Jeremiah 1:5). God already knows us, he wants a personal relationship with us. But, it’s up to us for that to happen. God never forces us into a relationship with Him, but He waits for us to come to Him. He longs for us to draw near to Him because he loves us. He loved us so much, that even while we were wretched sinners (Romans 5:8), He sent his son to die for our sins (John 3:16). Now that’s personal. That’s love, my friend.
As a youngster growing up on a dairy farm, I was amazed at how my dad had named every cow. He usually had about 65-70 at any given time. He knew every one by name. He knew if they needed medication. He knew if they needed a certain type of feed. He knew if they didn’t come up for their twice daily milking. These cows made his living and he knew and cared for each of them individually. God knows us even more personally than that. God knows what our future holds. He knows what choices we will make good and bad. He wants us to make good choices. He wants us to turn to Him.
To God you are not just another truck driver, teacher, waitress, hairdresser, factory worker or the new neighbor down the street. You are called by name. He wants to have a personal relationship with you. He knows you better than you know yourself. The best thing you could ever do for yourself is to submit to Him and allow Him to shower you with the love and protection that he provides to His children that call out to Him.
Maybe you have had a string of failed personal relationships in the past. Maybe you have been hurt and are afraid to love again. Maybe you don’t feel like you can trust anyone. Well let me tell you this, you can trust God. He wants good things for you (Jeremiah 29:11). He wants to protect you, if you will allow Him to do so (Psalm 91:1-2). He knows you by name and He calls your name. He wants you to devote yourself to Him so that He can deliver you from your past troubles and protect you in the future (Psalm 91:14).
We go through life with many superficial relationships. There are many people that we see on a regular basis, but don’t really know them. Won’t you take the time today to get to know God (Psalm 34:8)? I don’t know what you have planned for today, but nothing you have planned is better for you than entering in to a personal relationship with your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Wouldn’t you like to walk through the flood waters and not drown or walk through fire and not be burned, trust in God today. Let Him guide you through the fires of life. Let Him protect you when the waters rise. Make it personal with Jesus today so that you too can feel the peace, love, joy and protection that a relationship with Him provides. He won’t let you down (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Have a great day!