Megan Susan Stephens...Calling Us By Name

This morning I'm thankful that our God is not only a living God but is personal and that he knows us, he knows me, by name.  He doesn't just deal with us on a universally human level but on an intimately personal level.  Isn't that amazing?  No other god does that.  No other god knows you by name....and desires such a relationship with you that he would die for you.  THAT is love.

I've been reading about some old testament prophets, who God called out by name.  Elijah and Isaiah.  Remember the time when Elijah called down fire on the false prophets of Baal?  Well, everybody was pretty mad after that and wanted to kill Elijah.  So what did this mighty prophet of God do?  HE RAN.  Not the most courageous thing to do.  But who could blame him?  After he'd been running for 40 days, God confronted him.  "What are you doing here?!"  haha!  So Elijah explained he was on every "Wanted" list in the country, although I'm pretty sure God didn't need his explanation :)  Sometimes God asks us questions for our own benefit, to show us our sin.  After that, God told him to get ready b/c His presence was going to pass by.  He sent a wind, earthquake, and fire but God wasn't in any of them.  Then he sent a still, small whisper.

what are you doing here, Elijah?

God did not abandon Elijah simply because he ran.  His mercy covered him in love and compassion, one that didn't destroy him but mercifully confronted him.  After Elijah gave him the same explanation, God told him to go back and anoint some kings and finish the job he had started.

And it's not just a one time deal.  I've been dwelling on these verses recently:

"Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death.  But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.  He HAS delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he WILL deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will CONTINUE to deliver us" (2 Corinthians 1:9-10)

God delivers us.

Past

Present

Future 

He is the God who knows you by name.  Do you know Him?  Do you know His continuing deliverance?  Let the truth of these verses and truths wash over your heart.  This is the spring of living water that is inside us who call Jesus our Hope.