We all need affirmation whether we believe it or not. We all need praise. We were made in God's image and that is part of it. Children praise their parents, husbands praise their wives. The Scriptures tell us that God exalts us at times. He knows our name. The praise we receive as His own, reflect back to him for the things we do in His name and because of Him. Before we come to Christ we may be or feel isolated; unimportant; of little value. He knows our name. After Christ, we find we become part of a huge family and because we become "light", many people may come to know our name. At that time we are aware that our name is known because of or as a result of our Creator who not only knows our name but knew our name before we were even born. Our value is in Him. Our sufficiency is in Him. It is all about Him FIRST, then about Him in us and through us. He lifts us up and causes us to prosper and spread the Good News of who His IS and what we can BECOME because of Him in us. Instead of lovers of ourselves, we become Lovers of God and Others. Instead of cringing in fear of our enemies and life's circumstances or death's circumstances. We become MORE THAN CONQUERORS! Instead of being apathetic, we become zealous and FULL OF LIFE. Instead of being bored, we become ENTHUSIASTIC which means "en theo" or "in God". He not only knows our name, He has given us His Name, the Name of Jesus, in whom ALL THINGS exist and are held together. In addition he has given us a new name written down in Heaven for us to receive upon admittance. (Revelation 2:17) After 42 years of walking with Him in a "BORN AGAIN" condition and position, I can truly say to Him, "I feel like I am knowing you for the first time!" What excitement, what joy, what hope, what elation, what truth, what higher existence from the one who came "that we might have life and life more abundantly!" (John 10:10) At this point in my life, I don't know anyone who is not facing hardships from one direction or another. It is a result of being part of the human experience. We can feel like we are "going under for the third time" as the expression goes. Take heart and affirm one another with a firm "Holy Spirit" pat on the back for doing a great job and fighting the Good Fight of Faith: "We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair." (2 Corinthians 4:8) Why? Because we believe "HE KNOWS OUR NAME". So look up and REJOICE and praise and affirm one another and ENCOURAGE one another as you see the "Day" approaching. (Hebrews 10:25) I have a dear friend who is, at this moment, awaiting her entrance into Heaven under hospice care. I was able to sing with her "Soon and very soon we are going to see the King..." Run the race! Pick up the baton! Grab an arm! Let's get there together! HE KNOWS OUR NAME!
