KNOWN BY NAME!
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. Isaiah 43:1
She arrived bright and early at the DMV with a stack of papers – ready to renew her driver’s license. Because of new regulations, she needed her passport, old license, a property tax statement, and her social security card. Her turn to approach the counter finally arrived, and she handed all the information to the clerk.
The clerk frowned at her passport. “This doesn’t use both of your middle names. They shouldn’t have done it this way, so now I can’t use it. And the property tax statement uses initials, so that won’t qualify. You’ll need to come back with a birth certificate and marriage license and utility bills.”
UGH! All of that just to prove who she is!
Aren’t you grateful that even if the government doesn’t know your name, Jesus does? It’s one thing to know that He came to save the world. It’s another thing to realize He came to save ME. He knows me intimately and individually and calls me by name. Just like it promises in Isaiah 43:1.
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
In our modern life, it’s easy to feel invisible, unknown, misunderstood. And if we work to find our identity in the things of the world, we will often be as disappointed as the woman was at the DMV counter. But when we know that Jesus claims us as His, we can move through life with joy and confidence. Today’s Scripture verse is a source of comfort. We are redeemed. We are cherished. We are known by name.
Gracious and loving God, thank you for knowing me. Thank you for calling me your child. I rest in the knowledge that even if others don’t recognize me…you always do and you love me unconditionally. Amen.
Pastor Ruth
