He Knows Our Name

For the past month, I have battled the flu, a sinus infection and an allergic reaction to two different types of medication. I don't remember ever feeling quite that sick in all of my nearly 50 years. I was sick enough that I couldn't do much of anything but I didn't even feel like doing my Bible study for several days because I was in the bed for the better part of two weeks.
Because I felt so bad, and because I was not immersed in the Word I allowed the enemy to just come on in and have a field day in my mind. And doesn't the enemy just love to kick us when we are down? He brought up my past, my fears, my failures and it was a dark and scary place. He wants to keep us in captivity, confined in a small place. But Psalm 18:19 and Psalm 31:8 tells us that God wants us to inhabit a spacious place.

Our Bible study group just completed a study on Ruth; Loss, Love and Legacy by Kelly Minter. As I felt better and was able to finish this wonderful study the following points stood out and I felt that God wanted me to share them with you. When Satan, the accuser tries to condemn you for your past history, remind yourself and the enemy of these points:

1. Our history doesn't have to read like prophecy. God can redeem anything from our past. We are redeemed through Christ. Jesus was the ransom used to buy us back from the clutches of sin. He bought back the rights to our past and all its failures. He can turn all our failures into something useful for His Kingdom. With Him there is full redemption (Psalm 130:7). Praise God, our heritage is not a deal breaker for Christ.
2. He has summoned us by name (Isaiah 43:1). He knows us in a personal loving way. While others may label, judge or condemn us because of our names or lineage, our names hold no negative associations for Jesus. Kelly Minter says, "Because I know as women we are plagued with insecurities and pasts that haunt us, I can't pass over this striking symbol of what Christ has done for each one of us and how He knows our full names." It doesn't matter what name the world calls us. God has a new name for us! (Rev. 2:17)
   
3. God can use us regardless of our history or our circumstances. Look at Ruth, a Moabitess, a foreigner, who God used in a mighty way. Consider Rahab, a prostitute. She's listed in Hebrews 11 in the roll call of faith. And in Matthew 1 both women are listed in the genealogy of Jesus! Kelly says, "This should give us tremendous hope that God can delight in using us, no matter our culture or histories."

Life is Good,


Cindy