He knows my name
by Ruth Hawkey
Having been a teacher of young children for a number of years, I used to love calling the register at school. Not only to see who was present or who was missing, but just to have that moment of shared recognition between each child and myself. The Lord, I believe, also values those special moments of intimate contact. In the Scriptures, He often refers to people by their names, for example, consider Elijah , Peter, Jacob and Samuel.
A few weeks ago, I awoke in the night singing an old song by the Fisherfolk: ‘I heard the Lord call my name. Listen close you’ll hear the same’.
I guess something similar happened to Samuel. ‘One night, Eli, who was now almost blind, was sleeping in his own room; Samuel was sleeping in the sanctuary, where the sacred Covenant Box was. Before dawn, while the lamp was still burning, the LORD called Samuel. He answered, “Yes, sir!” and ran to Eli and said, “You called me, and here I am.” But Eli answered, “I didn`t call you; go back to bed.” So Samuel went back to bed. The LORD called Samuel again. The boy did not know that it was the LORD, because the LORD had never spoken to him before. So he got up, went to Eli, and said, “You called me, and here I am.” But Eli answered, “My son, I didn`t call you; go back to bed.” The LORD called Samuel a third time; he got up, went to Eli, and said, “You called me, and here I am.” Then Eli realized that it was the LORD who was calling the boy, so he said to him, “Go back to bed; and if he calls you again, say, ‘Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.” So Samuel went back to bed. The LORD came and stood there, and called as he had before, “Samuel! Samuel!” Samuel answered, “Speak; your servant is listening”’ (1 Samuel 3:2-10, GNB).
Why is it I wonder that it is often during the night that the Lord speaks? Well it is for me! Maybe it’s because that’s when our mouths are closed and our ears are open?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You that You not only know our name but You have a real desire to speak to us. Please give us open ears and a heart to hear and obey You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ruth Hawkey has had the privilege of working alongside Ellel Ministries from the very beginning. She and her husband Joe helped to begin the work in both Glyndley Manor and Canada. She has written a number of books including Healing Emotional Wounds, Healing the Human Spirit, Generational Blessing and Generational Sin, and Praying for Children. She and her husband also helped to develop prayer ministry teams in the local church.
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