Daily Encouragementنموونە

The encouraging truth emphasized here is that the Lord knows us personally and deals with us as individuals.

There is infinite comfort in knowing that we are the subjects of his individual attention. As the shepherd knows each sheep - “I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:14); as the father cares for each child - “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him” (Ps. 103:13); as the lover desires his beloved - “I belong to my lover, and his desire is for me” (S of S. 7:10) - so the Lord knows, cares for and loves each of us.

The precious truth has important implications. Our individuality is not destroyed when we come to Christ. This means we must respect the way in which he works in other lives and not make our experience the criterion for that of others, or vice-versa. God has his own way with each of us, and we can expect his personal, perfect attention to our particular case. It is imperative that we have direct personal dealings with the Lord. Second-hand religion - even if it is evangelical - is not enough. Above all, we must answer when he calls us by name.