What's in a Name?Намуна

God knows his people by name

The people of Israel had a special relationship with the Lord God. They were his chosen people. But as a consequence of their repeated unfaithfulness to the Lord, they were delivered into the hands of their enemies. Their country was ruined and they were sent into exile — and God did not (yet) deliver them! But He did send the prophet Isaiah to let them know that He had not forgotten or abandoned them.

In Isaiah 43, God encourages the people. He reminds them that He is their Creator and they are his people: “I have called you by name, you are mine.” Psalm 139 is about the same theme: “O Lord, You have searched me and known me! … You knitted me together in my mother's womb.” 

The verses from Isaiah are about the people of Israel. But the New Testament makes clear that the same assurance applies to believers from other nations. Jesus says that He is the Good Shepherd, not only of the Israelites but also of “other sheep that are not of this fold”. He will make them into one flock. And He knows them all personally: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

Does it encourage you that the great and holy God knows his children by name?