Nougat 7

Like it probably did with you, Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s hit crossed my mind as I pondered Todays Holy Nougat. And yes, it is a comfort to me today and always that God knows my name.

“The Lord replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.”” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭33‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God Knows Our Names

In an era where someone’s name was a revelation of their character and/or their identity, God told Moses that God – also known as YHWH, Elohim, Adonai, El … -knew Moses’ name. This is different from what we sometimes say in Jamaica, I know the person ‘by name’, but not in actuality. God was telling Moses that God knew the real Moses, and God was fine with that.

It also meant that God had moved past the fluff of murderer, fugitive, shepherd, prince, and even doubter to see the one who was drawn out of death’s haven into life – for a purpose. Who better to lead people across the wide rivers of the Exodus (literal and spiritual), than one who’d been drawn out of the waters of death multiple times? Who better to lead the disobedient than one who’d experienced God’s grace for his own disobedience multiple times?

Who better for God to know by name than the One Who’d inspired the name?

There was another piece to God’s comment though, at least in MY MIND. For, Exodus 3 tells us that when told of God’s plans at the Burning Bush, Moses asked God, erm I don’t know who you are – I’m not sure that you’re a match for pharaoh and his gods. You might be inclined to disagree with me, but if knowing someone by name meant that the one knows that person’s character and identity, then that’s essentially what Moses said. They’d come a long way siblings.

God’s comment was countering Moses’ earlier doubts about Moses’ capacity for the task. (I also suspect it reflected God’s humorous nature.)

Now we come full circle to our own lives. Had we ever been guilty of ‘not knowing God’s capacity’ to see us past our own pharaohs? Maybe it’s time to meet YHWH, Elohim, Adonai … and all the other characteristics of our God Who sees us in our moments. For God is capable of defeating every enemy in our lives.

Moreover, we must remind ourselves time and again if necessary, that Our God knows us by name. By the circumstances of our birth, by the name we were given at birth, and by that special name gifted by God’s Spirit to those who overcome (see Revelation 2:17). And Isaiah 43, though speaking to Israel, God’s Chosen People, offers that clear assurance that God’s favored are known by name! See what promises, rather what assurances God offers to those whom God knows.

So, be assured by the Word, by Moses’ testimony, and by the ‘contemporary’ testimony offered by Tasha.

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May all we seek be found in Christ