Seeing Yourself Through God's Eyes: I am called by name by God. (Daily Devotional)

DAY 4

"I have summoned you by name, you are mine."  (Isaiah 43:1)

Have you ever arrived at an airport, train station or special event and found no one was there to welcome you...to call you by name? Have you ever rushed home with anxious anticipation to share exciting news, only to find an empty house and a deafening silence? In the depths of your being you have a need to feel that you are personally known, lovingly cared about and personally called by name.

     Even though it had been several months since I had spoken and sung at a particular Christian retreat, the stinging comments from one significant person had produced acute pain. I was till smarting, as if from a bee sting! When you are stung by a bee, the sting catches you by surprise--the stinger remains, the swelling begins, the skin reddens and the area is sensitive to touch. My heart felt that same painful sensitivity as I planned to fly back to that location. Although mentally I had been preparing myself for the return, I still had a full-blown case of fear--fear that I would be hurt again.

     A week prior to my departure, I mailed a note to someone who had been especially concerned about me during my time of hurt. I didn't ask her to pick me up, but I did include my flight schedule with the deep hope that she would read between the lines and be there upon my arrival.

     As I deplaned, my eyes searched the airport waiting area for a familiar face. I wanted to hear a warm, "Hi, June!" but the silence from a swarming crowd echoed in my ears. Even though I had tried to prepare myself, my heart sank.

     Starting toward the baggage area, I suddenly heard a voice...someone called out my name. Thank You, Lord, she was there! She had been on the observation deck long before the plane had arrived. And now she was calling me by name. Her calling said, "I care about you." Her words acted as a healing balm to soothe my sensitive heart.

     When situations in your life begin to sting, don't assume God has forgotten you. He is still watching over you. As you see yourself through God's eyes, realize that your Lord is always there...He is intimately involved in your life....You are constantly on His mind. He says, "Fear not...I have [called] you by name; you are mine."

"He who counts the stars, and calls them by their names, is in no danger of forgetting His own children. He knows your case as thoroughly as if you were the only creature He ever made, or the only saint He ever loved." --Charles Hadden Spurgeon

                        ____________My Position in Christ_______________

Personalize these verses in your own words:

Psalms 139:13-16 ____________________________________________________
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John 10:3  __________________________________________________________
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Father, through Your eyes I can see that I... _________________________________
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I am secure because...I am called by name by God.