TEXT: GEN. 3: 9-10 – And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”
Today as we look again at our theme for the month, we would be considering one aspect of our God that we often fail to give appropriate attention, which is that God knows our name. Let it be known that God knows our names, knows where we are and where we live. That is why there is nothing that is hidden from Him. When God has a very important question for any of His children or has a very important assignment for His children, He would call them by their names. That is why a lot of Christians are careful when they give names to their children. As Christians we are expected to give God-glorifying name to our children that God would be comfortable to identify with any of His children. Christians are not expected to just manufacture a name outside the leading of the Holy Spirit. Naming a child is a very important issue that should not be taken lightly by any born-again child of God.
Not only does God call us by our names, but there are times when God can call you several times particularly if God intends to commit a great assignment unto you. For instance, we read that when our Lord Jesus Christ was going to hand over the Church unto Peter, He called him three times. The bible says in Jn. 21:15-17 that “when they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep (NIV). Our Lord Jesus Christ called Peter by his name three times because of the great assignment (the Church) that He was entrusting unto him.
In our case study for the month, we would see that God called Adam by his name. God called him by his name because of the history of mankind that is about to be re-written because of the sins of Adam. As we all know, that encounter between God and Adam marked the beginning of man’s struggles and sufferings. The bible states in Gen.3: 9 – 10 that “But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” (NIV). Brethren, what kind of call are you expecting from God. A call of recognition as in the case of Peter or a call of rejection or de-recognition? I pray that whenever God would call you by your name, it would be for recognition in Jesus name.
The bible is replete with many reasons why God can call anyone. When He calls, He can call for different purposes. He can call to make a pronouncement of blessings; He can call to turn around a hopeless situations; He can call to pronounce a judgement; and can call to give an assignment. We would look at some other instances when God called certain individuals by their names in the bible. The first we shall be looking at is the case of Cain. In Gen. 4:9 we read that “then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (NIV). In this instance it was a question that would lead to the pronouncement of judgement on Cain for killing his brother.
The second case is when God called Hagar. In Gen. 16: 8 we read that “and he said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered” (NIV). If you read further to verse 10 you would realise that it was a call for blessings; a call of replacement of hopelessness with hope; a call into deliverance from confusion; peace into a life of crisis; and a call for joy from sadness. We can go on and on to see what that call of God unto Hagar got for her. That is why I know that for someone reading this today that an end has come to your confusion, fear, hopelessness and troubles in Jesus name.
The third case is when God called on Abraham through His angels. In Gen. 18:9 we read that the angels called Abraham and asked about his wife in order to end his barrenness. “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said (NIV). Is any barren physically, spiritually or financially today? The word of the lord is coming to you right now. Your barrenness is over. Your barrenness expires today and you are receiving your fruitfulness right now in Jesus name. Can I hear your Amen? It is done in Jesus name.
The fourth case we would be looking at is that of Elijah that we read in I Kings 19: 9, where God called on Elijah in order to strengthen and encourage him. The word of the Lord came to Elijah at Horeb while hiding in a cave, discouraged and actually wishing God would just take his life (Gen. 19: 1-8). It was recorded that “there he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (NIV). Brethren, is any of you discouraged today? I bring you good news that an end has come to your discouragement. You would receive a word of encouragement from God today in Jesus name. The Lord would confront all your fears and lead you to your divine provision and sustenance in Jesus name. Have faith in Him and He would deliver you from all your enemies in Jesus name.
Shalom.
HYMN: IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE GOD ONLY WISE
Dr. Yinka Okude
Pastor-in-Charge
RCCG Jesus Sanctuary, Northampton
