He Knows My Name

Tommy Walker has been leading worship in Los Angeles California for over 20 years.  During that time he’s written several songs.  (He currently has around 100 songs being tracked by CCLI.)  One of my favorites by far has to be, He Knows My Name.  It says:

Verse 1

I have a Maker, He formed my heart.
Before even time began, my life was in his hands.

Verse 2

I have a Father, He calls me His own
He'll never leave me, no matter where I go.

Chorus

He knows my name, He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls, and He hears me when I call.

I think the song resonates deeply with me because it reminds me that my God truly cares for me.  He is my good shepherd, and He knows my name.  He even knows the number of hairs on my head.  My God never leaves me or forsakes me.  He made me in His image, and He has gifted me for His glory!

Recently we’ve been studying the life of Gideon (both during family study and in small group).  During Gideon’s time, the Israelites were being ruthlessly tormented by the Midianites.  The Bible says that they would come like “swarms of locusts” and invade the Israelites carrying off all of the fruits of Israel’s hard labor.  Devastated, the Israelites found themselves hiding out in caves, and living lives in fear.  When we meet Gideon, that’s exactly what he’s doing.  He’s threshing wheat in a wine press so that he won’t be seen by the Midianites (Judges 6:11-14).  An angel of the Lord appears to him and says, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”

Now we can only imagine how Gideon must have felt at that moment.  The text shows us that clearly he felt somewhat abandoned by God.  In his situation, he must have felt helpless, weak, at the mercy of a group of relentless marauders.  Yet God greets him with a reminder and a revelation.  First He reminds Gideon, even though he feels abandoned, he isn’t alone.  God’s promise throughout scripture seems to be His continual presence with His people.  Time and time again we see God saying, “Be strong and courageous for I am with you.”  And here we find God reminding Gideon of that same thing; “The Lord is with you.”  Second, we see God giving Gideon a revelation.  He greets him as “mighty warrior.”  Now, I’m sure that Gideon didn’t feel too “mighty” as he was threshing his wheat in hiding.  But God saw something in Gideon that Gideon himself couldn’t.  God saw strength.  And not only did He see it; He revealed that hidden strength to Gideon and challenged him to “go in the strength that you have.”

As you read these words, I’m not sure where you are in life.  Maybe all is good, wonderful, and joyous.  If so, praise God!  But maybe you, like Gideon, are hiding out.  Maybe your feeling all alone.  Abandoned.  Defeated.  Fearful.  Can I remind you of something today?  Something that the Lord reminded me of?  God knows you!  He knows you better than you know yourself.  And God’s reminder to us through Gideon is this:  My child, it’s not about your situation…it’s about your strength!  Mighty warrior, go in the strength that you have!