25th. September 2020. Daily Devotion
Listen to me, you islands! Hear this, you distant nations: before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name. Isaiah 49:1
God knows us by our names. Our individuality is brought to our attention in a scripture that doesn’t even seem to fit with this statement. The scripture is in 1 Kings 19:18, when God told Elijah, “I still have 7000 people in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed that idol.” God specifically knew these people, who knew Him. He had a tally of exactly how many. Cannot those of us who call ourselves Christian, relate to that?
Hebrews 4:13 says, “Nothing in all the world can be hidden from God. He can clearly see all things.” John 10:3 says, “He calls his own sheep, using their names.” John 10:14 tells us, “I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and am known by My own.” So, the answer is, “Yes!” We can relate to that, because the Bible tells us, as followers of Christ, He knows us by our name. He knows our name even before we are born.
There may be times when we feel insignificant, but we most definitely are not! The Great I AM, knows our name. As we have put our trust in Jesus Christ, our name will written in the book of life. God knows the exact number of those who know Him. Luke 10:20 says, “Rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.” Revelations 3:5 says, “I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.” J Calvert.
You may also wish to read Psalm 139.
Meditation
“God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.” ~ Augustine of Hippo
Puritan Prayer for the Morning
O God, the author of all good, I come to You for the grace another day will require for its duties and events. I know that without You I can do nothing, that everything with which I shall be concerned, however harmless in itself, may prove an occasion of sin or folly, unless I am kept by Your power.
Hold me up O God and I shall be safe. Preserve my understanding from subtlety of error, my affections from love of idols, my character from stain of vice, my profession from every form of evil.
May I engage in nothing in which I cannot implore Your blessing, and in which I cannot invite Your inspection. Prosper me in all lawful undertakings or prepare me for disappointments. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with food suitable for me, lest I be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or be poor, and steal, and take Your name in vain.
May every creature be made good to me by prayer and Your will. Teach me how to use the world and not abuse it, to improve my talents, to redeem my time, to walk in wisdom toward those without, and in kindness to those within, to do good to all men, and especially to my fellow Christians. And to You, O God, be the glory. Amen.
Gracious God. Hear this our prayer in these disturbing times.
We ask you to hear the sounds of those who are
gasping for each breath in hospitals, nursing homes
and old age facilities, and those suffering alone
on the streets of our cities and towns.
Reach out with your healing power
to those who are grieving the loss of loved ones.
Be present to the doctors, nurses and frontline carers
who are exhausted from their efforts
in this time of a pandemic that threatens
the lives of so many of your people worldwide.
Strengthen with your wisdom our public government
and health officials who are seeking ways to stop and control
the spread of this virus by encouraging their citizenry
to be calm, reflective and obedient to the restrictions
imposed for the benefit of all.
We make this prayer in your most holy name. Amen. Fr Mike Dodd.
