Healing Rays of Righteousness

I have always found it very difficult to remember names, and enviously admire those who do. I am frequently embarrassed by my forgetfulness and the need to say, “I need to ask again, what is your name?”  And so, I often find it easier to continue the conversation with someone without speaking their name.  Over the years, I’ve tried different ways of improving my memory that were recommended to me, but never experienced much improvement.

My greatest reluctance to asking a person I’ve met on numerous occasions their name, has always been that the individual may think that their previous acquaintance and friendship with me has not been important to me.  Believe me; nothing is further from the truth.

I feel so deficient and uncaring because I know how good it feels when someone approaches me and begins conversation by speaking my name.  Truly, there is no better sound than the sound of your own name being spoken, particularly when spoken with caring love or congratulating kindness.

I think of this every time I read the first 18 verses of John 10, where Jesus likens himself to a shepherd and us as his sheep.  A first-century Palestinian shepherd lived with his sheep.  He knew his sheep; he named his sheep; and each morning he would come to the sheepfold and “calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (v.3).  Then in verse 14, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep.” 

It is so amazing and reassuring for me to know that in the eyes and heart of Jesus, I am more than a social security number or a picture on a driver’s license.  Like a good shepherd, Jesus knows our names and cares about us so deeply that he is willing to die for us.

In Jesus, God knows us by name and highly values us as his own sheep.  And, according to Isaiah 49:15-16, He never forgets our name because he says, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?  Though she may forget, I will not forget you!  See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” 

What a thought.  God knows our names and will never forget them, for they are engraved on his hands and heart.  What a tremendous affirmation and consolation it is to know that God so highly values us that “He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11)

And according to Psalm 139:1-4, God not only knows our name, he knows all our activities and all our thoughts, even before we speak them.  In this psalm, David stands in awe before the Lord and is astounded by how thoroughly and intimately the Lord knows him.  And in verse 17, David gratefully praises God, saying “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!  How vast is the sum of them!”

Yes, we have a shepherd who calls us by name and cares for us, provides, and protects us.  In the eyes and heart of God, we are his sheep, his children whom he dearly loves.  In Jesus, our good shepherd, he said, “I lay down my life for my sheep” and his torn, nail-scared hands, with are names written on them, are proof that he did that.  Thank you, Jesus!

As I grow older, I often need a reminder that God loves me, knows my name, even my embarrassing weaknesses, and yet enables me to minister his love and grace to others who stumble along with me in the journey of life.

So be encouraged, my friend, even if I forget your name, God remembers and loves to speak your name in your ear.  And, yes, someday my memory of names will be as perfect  as God’s.

“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – March 20, 2019