When God Knows Your Name

Good News – September 2023 – Grace & Truth Magazine

When God Knows Your Name

The first day of school is always the same. The teachers start each class by reading their list of students, and eventually your name is called. Of course, the teachers don’t really know you right away. It usually takes them a few days to remember who you are or how to pronounce your name correctly. But sometimes there might be a teacher who still doesn’t know your name after a whole month! It can be very upsetting to feel like an unknown person.

But the God of the Bible is never like that! You can be certain that God knows your name. Long ago, a boy named Samuel found this out for himself.

A Boy In The Dark
Far away from his family, Samuel lived with an old priest named Eli. Two older boys lived there too. They were Eli’s sons – but they did not act like a priest’s sons should act. They were selfish and immoral. Imagine Samuel having to grow up without his parents in that kind of home!

One night Samuel was trying to sleep when he thought he heard Eli calling for him. “Samuel!” the voice called. But when Samuel got up to see what Eli wanted, the old priest said he had not called. This happened two more times, and finally Eli told Samuel that God was speaking.

Soon the voice called again. “Samuel! Samuel!” (v.10). And there, lying in the dark, Samuel began to listen to God and His message of judgment against the terrible behavior of Eli’s sons. (You can read the whole story from the Bible in the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 3.)

What an amazing lesson that was for Samuel! Not only did God know Samuel’s name, but He also knew everything about Eli and his sons. Nothing was hidden from Him.

God Is Still Calling
Samuel’s lesson is also for you. God knows your name! Nothing is hidden from Him. He knows our fears and troubles. He also knows our sins – all the wrongs we try to hide in our hearts. But God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into this world so we could be saved from our sins (1 Jn. 4:10). Everywhere Jesus the perfect Savior walked, He called out for sinners to repent – meaning to change their minds completely – turn around, and follow Him. Then He died on a wooden cross to pay for their sins – for your sins and mine too. When He came to life again three days later, His resurrection proved that His payment for sins was complete (Rom. 4:24-25). Now He lives in heaven, and He is still calling to you.

Long ago the boy Samuel listened when God called his name; and after that, the Bible says, “The Lord was with him” (1 Sam. 3:19 NKJV). God’s promise is the same today! Listen to God’s call. Trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then the God who knows your name will never leave you (Heb. 13:5). We can tell you more.

This article is available as a tract from Grace &Truth.