He Calls Them by Name

Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, who brings out their host by number; He calls them by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; Not one is missing.

I love living away from the lights of the city. On a clear night I am able to see the stars. The longer one looks, it appears the more stars that can be seen. Indeed, using a set of binoculars or telescope makes one realize the stars are almost numberless. It gives appreciation to the way Isaiah said, the Creator “brings out their host by number.”

I have read that astronomers estimate there are 10 Billion galaxies in the observable universe. It is estimated there are more than 100 Billion stars in each. If those estimates are close, there would be 10 Hexillion stars. That’s another way of saying 10 Billion-Trillion stars. Think of it this way. That number is 10 to the 21st power or we might say a 1 followed by 21 zeroes! That number boggles the imagination. We can’t really even think that large.

Don’t get lost in the numbers. Here’s the point. GOD made all those stars. Isaiah reminds us that He created these things. Earlier in Isaiah 40:22 we read, that He “stretches out the heavens like a curtain.” The language here paints a picture of GOD spreading out the heavens like one would spread out a table cloth. I think about snapping the table cloth over the table. GOD spoke and the heavens were spread out! Every one of those almost numberless stars came into existence as He snapped the heavens into place.

And He knows all of those stars individually. The text says He calls them by name! I am like my parents when trying to call the name of one of my 5 boys. Sometimes I will call several names before finally getting it right.

GOD calls them by name. Each of those stars was spoken into existence by our Creator. Matthew tells us that GOD is aware of even the activities of the sparrows (Matt 10:29). Being the all-knowing GOD, He is aware of His every creation. And that includes me!

John 10:3
To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

He calls them by name. He knows them. He knows me. Out of more than 7 Billion people on earth today. He. Knows. Me.

But here is a greater consideration. “Do I know Him?”

Continue reading verse 4 of John 10. And when He brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

The great question is “Do I know His voice?” Do I know Him?

I’m not asking, do I know about Him? That is important. But that is not enough. Do I know Him? Personally.

There are many people in the world who know about Jesus. I want more than that. I want to know Jesus. I want a personal relationship with Him. I want to communicate with Him. I want to read about Him. I want Him to mold me into the man He wants me to be. I want to influence those around me for good. I want to bring honor and glory to Him and to my Father in heaven. I want to hear him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Out of all the people on earth, He knows me. What a thrilling thought.

Out of all the voices out there, do I know His?