Chasing Truth™: Read the Bible Cover to CoverSample

He Knows My Name

Isaiah 43-44

Recently I was with a group of women who were talking about names. It seems we each had a story about the name we were given, who we were named after, why we were given the names we have. One woman smiled as she shared that her firstborn daughter was given a meaningful family name, while her second daughter was named after her favorite cat from childhood! We shared laughter and chatter discussing something seemingly as simple as each of our names. You most likely have a similar story when it comes to the name you were given. 

The Bible also talks often about the importance of a name. God often changed someone’s name when He wanted to get a specific message across to them. Abram’s name was changed to Abraham, as a sign of the promise that he would be the father of many nations (Genesis 17:5). Jacob’s name was changed to Israel to remind him of his covenant with God (Genesis 32:28). Others in the Bible had name changes after meaningful encounters with God.

This week, we’ve been reading in Isaiah. When we come to Isaiah 43, we read more about names. The writer of Isaiah says this:
“Now this is what the Lord says . . . ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine’” (Isaiah 43:1, CSB).
What an encouragement that the God of the universe knows my name—and is telling me not to fear because I belong to Him! 

Further down in this same chapter, we learn that God promises to walk with us through “the waters” and when we walk through the fire, “ . . . the flame will not burn you” (verse 2). 

Then what God says about us gets even better. In verse 4, He says “ . . . you are precious in my sight and honored, and I love you.” As you go through the day today, and this week, remember that we have no need to fear—He knows our name!