But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1
One of the most beautiful things we see throughout the Bible is how often God uses a person’s name when He invites them to follow Him.
In fact, it happens so often that we almost miss the magnitude of it.
But think about it. The God of the universe who created the stars, set galaxies in motion, gives the sun its fuel, establishes and destroys empires, and sustains every living creature on the planet—knows your name and calls you by it.
When God called out to Abraham in Genesis 22, He didn’t say “you there” or “called one.” He said, Abraham!
When Moses stood at the burning bush, God called out, Moses, Moses.
When young Samuel heard a voice in the night, God called out to him by name: Samuel.
When Jesus called the disciples, He did so by name: Simon. Andrew. Follow me.
When Saul was on the road to Damascus to persecute Christians and a blinding light stopped him in his tracks, God called him by name.
When Jesus found Zacchaeus hiding in a tree above the crowd, He looked up and said, Zacchaeus, come down.
When Mary stood weeping outside the empty tomb, devastated and confused, Jesus spoke just one word: Mary. And it was all she needed to hear to recognize the Messiah… almost as if she had heard him use it countless times before.
Over and over again God calls us by name. So often, in fact, that we can see these are not isolated instances. This is who God is. He calls us by name.
The science behind hearing our name is actually quite fascinating. Research shows that hearing our own first name activates self-awareness. Our name cuts through noise and commands our attention. There is no other word quite like it.
And God has known that all along.
If you need to feel seen today. If you need to know that someone is thinking about you. If you need to feel loved (and who among us doesn’t) know that there is a God in heaven who both knows your name and is calling it today.
Listen. And answer.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for knowing me, loving me, and calling me by name. Help me to listen better and focus more often on the God who gave His Son for me. You love me. And I love you. Amen.