“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” –Isaiah 43:1b (ESV). “Behold, I have engraved you upon the palms of my hands.” – Isaiah 49:16a (ESV). “And you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.” –Isaiah 62:2b (ESV)
Recently I received a delightful book entitled Named by God by Mary Foxwell Loeks. The subtitle is Discovering the Power of God’s Names for You (Grand Rapids, MI: Revel [Baker], 2010). She states: “The power of being named by God brings our most important relationship alive.” Space in this short devotional precludes my giving the fifty names Ms. Loeks sites as names we, God’s children, are known by in the scriptures. Some she notes are Bride of the Lamb, Doorkeeper in the House of the Lord, Salt, Light, Redeemed, Steward, Branches, Clay, Holy, Priests, Sheep, Fishers of Men, Christians, Peacemakers, Faithful, Living Stones, God’s Temple…the list goes on and the unique relationship of each name is given. God knows us, calls us by name, engraves our name on His hand. How remarkable that he knows us, knows our goings-in and our comings-out, loves us in a Father-child relationship.
In 1996 I spoke to an active group of senior adults at Morganton Baptist Church. In advance, I was assigned the topic to speak on, and it was “God Knows My Name.” I did much study to prepare for the presentation, and used some of the very names God gives us as cited by Mrs. Loeks in her book—long before her book was published. I also wrote an original poem with which to end my speech. Since that date in 1996, I have probably shared this poem in sympathy cards with a thousand or more people. I praise God for His inspiration that enabled me to write and share
Recently I received a delightful book entitled Named by God by Mary Foxwell Loeks. The subtitle is Discovering the Power of God’s Names for You (Grand Rapids, MI: Revel [Baker], 2010). She states: “The power of being named by God brings our most important relationship alive.” Space in this short devotional precludes my giving the fifty names Ms. Loeks sites as names we, God’s children, are known by in the scriptures. Some she notes are Bride of the Lamb, Doorkeeper in the House of the Lord, Salt, Light, Redeemed, Steward, Branches, Clay, Holy, Priests, Sheep, Fishers of Men, Christians, Peacemakers, Faithful, Living Stones, God’s Temple…the list goes on and the unique relationship of each name is given. God knows us, calls us by name, engraves our name on His hand. How remarkable that he knows us, knows our goings-in and our comings-out, loves us in a Father-child relationship.
In 1996 I spoke to an active group of senior adults at Morganton Baptist Church. In advance, I was assigned the topic to speak on, and it was “God Knows My Name.” I did much study to prepare for the presentation, and used some of the very names God gives us as cited by Mrs. Loeks in her book—long before her book was published. I also wrote an original poem with which to end my speech. Since that date in 1996, I have probably shared this poem in sympathy cards with a thousand or more people. I praise God for His inspiration that enabled me to write and share
God Knows My Name
Astounding knowledge, God knows my name!
Creator of the Universe, forever the same;
Maker of galaxies, Lord of the sea,
Sustainer of all things knows even me!
Before the world was He knew my frame;
Knew when I would live, gave me a name.
Underneath to protect me His everlasting arm;
He loves me, directs me, protects me from harm.
One day in Eternity my new name I’ll hear,
Called by my Savior in tones sweet and clear:
“Come,” He will say, “golden streets walk down.
Adore God the Father, receive your own crown.”
Matchless the majesty, the paeans of praise,
As that new name I’ll bear through unnumbered days.
While on earth may I travel as one with a claim
To enter His Kingdom and receive my new name!
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