Listen to the Audio above as you follow the text below.
Have you ever been surprised by someone who, unexpectedly, called you by name?
Sharon: I remember, as a young campus student, I had just joined a new church and fellowship. There was this incredible priest called Bishop Zak that everyone looked up to. He was fun and jolly and friendly with everyone. This one day, as a small group, we went to his house for a causal link up. Bishop Zak came out to receive everyone and he greeted everyone by name. Now… I was new to the group and I did not expect him to know my name. But to my surprise, he greeted me by name… it was like he knew me well. I really did not expect that.
Nel: This one time, many years ago, some friends and I went for a Kirk Franklin concert. At some point during the show, Kirk Franklin stopped the music and pointed in our direction asking, “What’s your name?” We all looked around wondering who he was calling out. He then added, “You in the red t-shirt! What’s your name?” I was the one in the red t-shirt. In that moment, awe struck by the great superstar, I forgot my name. My friends shouted my name to Kirk Franklin then he said to me, “Nelson, this next song is for you!” I remember going home that night thinking, “Kirk Franklin knows my name!”
Sharon: Did you know that you are known by God. In Jeremiah 1:5, God says to the young prophet, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Nel: God knows you. God is great… He is the creator of heaven and earth and he knows you. Sometimes, especially when the cares of this world come to weigh you down, it’s easy to feel isolated and alone. But we’d like to encourage you with this thought today. God knows you and he cares deeply about you.
Sharon: You are not a mistake. You are known. God knows you and has a special plan for you. Before you were born, God knew you and knew exactly who you could become. If you trust him with your life, He can get you to the full purpose he has for you.
Nel: It won’t always be easy. But God’s promise to us through Jesus is that he will never leave us nor forsake us. Today, we’d like you to always remember, in the good times and the difficult times that you are known by God.
Prayer
Good and gracious father.
How wonderful you are
And how privileged we are to be known by you
So often and so quickly, we forget this truth
But remind us always oh God,
That we are not forgotten or alone
We are not mistakes.
We are known by you and loved by you
In Jesus name
Amen
Scriptures.
1 Corinthians 8:3
but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.
Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
