April 1, 2016
Being that today is April Fool’s Day once again, I thought I’d start it off with this silly story: An elderly couple had a visitor in their home who arrived right before the lunch hour. When they both insisted that he join them, he accepted. He heard the wife tell her husband: “Sugar why don’t you sit down by the table and we’ll start supper.” “Sure thing,” said her husband settling himself down. “Now darling, would you like the soup first or the salad?” “Umm, I guess I’ll take the soup.” He responded. After a whole meal of one endearing term after another, their guest, Bob, couldn’t contain his curiosity any longer so he later snuck back into the kitchen and asked the wife: “Mildred, do you always talk to your husband like that?” “Bob, I’ll be honest with you,” she replied. “I’ve done that for five years now because I just can’t remember his name, and I’m too embarrassed to ask him!” Thank God my wife and I haven’t reached that point yet. We still know each other’s name.
Speaking on that subject, we are all blessed that God not only knows our name, He knows us better than we know ourselves. Many scientists believe that there are many billions of galaxies in the universe and each has many billions of stars in it. If that is true, there are easily many more stars in the universe than people. Still, Psalm 147:4 says: “He (God) determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” Many people in this life are blessed with great God-given memories. They know many people and places by name, but that is nothing in comparison to God. Since I once knew every street in San Antonio by it’s name and location, one day I aim to know each and every member in our church. I feel that if the Lord boosted my memory once, He can do it again.
When Philip brought him to meet Jesus, Nathanael was surprised to Hear Christ say about him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” When he asked Jesus how he knew him, the Lord replied: “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” (Read John 1:47-48) Like many others, Nathanael probably said within himself “Wow, He knows me by name!” The truth is, we can all say the same. What a great blessing and comfort to know that the Maker and Creator of the universe knows each and every one of us by name. And if you’re like me, you are eagerly looking forward to the day when you see Jesus face to face and you hear Him call you by your name.
Memory verse for the week: (Jeremiah 29:13) “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
