He Speaks Your Name

Daily Reading: John 20

“Why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”  Jesus said to her, “Mary.” (John 20.15-16)

Devotional Thought: Before daylight, Mary proceeded to the tomb of Jesus to anoint his body for its final repose.  In the gloom of that morning, it was hard to see.  But then, at the scene of her worst darkness and defeat, Jesus spoke her name.

Jesus waits in the shadows of our darkness and defeat.  He has overcome the grave, but it is often hard for us to make him out in the gloom.  But the darkness is over!  Listen for his voice as he speaks your name.  He knows you.   He stands with you where you are.  Even when you don’t recognize him, even when you have come to bury your hope, Jesus speaks your name.  Think about it: your name on the lips of the Son of God!  We sing about the mention of his name, but thanks be to God, he also speaks our names.  All death, all disease, all failure, all fear, all sickness, all sorrow must bow before him who came forth from the grave and who now speaks our names.  Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning!

In this life, we face many sunsets – times of deep sadness and even separation.  But there is coming a morning when the sun will never set again.  At that dawning, all the darkness will flee before him.  The Bible says he will give you a white stone with your name written on it, a name known only to him and you.  It is so personal that no other name will be the same, nor have the same meaning.  You will come out of the tribulation, and you will rise to reign with him forever! Hallelujah!

Prayer: My heart is heavy, O Lord, in this darkness and gloom.  But light floods my soul when you enter the room.  Show me your face, my Lord, and speak my name.  For when you do, nothing is ever the same.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 40.9-17

9 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.

10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.

11 As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!

12 For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me.

13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me!

14 Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!

15 Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, “Aha, Aha! ”

16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord! ”

17 As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!