God Called You by Name

“[The Lord] brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me” (Psalm 18:19).

What wonderful, reassuring words. The Father delights in us! In David’s case, he had just been through a terrible time of testing. Saul had put a bounty on his head and David was running for his life. But God came roaring in to rescue him and David could say, “The reason God delivered me from all my enemies is because I am precious to him. My God delights in me!”

These thoughts are echoed throughout the Word: “The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy” (Psalm 147:11). And again, “For the Lord takes pleasure in His people” (149:4).

I can try to convince you of God’s delight in you by telling you, “You are precious to the Lord!” You may think, “Well, that’s a lovely thought. How sweet.” But this truth is more than a lovely thought. It is the very key to your deliverance from every battle that rages in your soul, the secret to entering into the rest God has promised you. And until you lay hold of it and it becomes a foundational truth in your heart, you will not be able to withstand what is ahead in this wicked time.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned” (Isaiah 43:1-2).

Right now, you may be passing through deep waters and you fear you may be destroyed. But understand from his Word that God does not always calm the waters or keep the floods from coming. And he doesn’t always put out the fires. But he does promise that he will walk with you through it all.