Those Who Know His Name by Dave Evans

Have you ever felt like God is a stranger? Has it been hard at times to trust God, especially during trials and difficult times? Why do we have these troubles? I think the words of the Puritan John Ball provide one answer, “The mother of unbelief is ignorance of God, his faithfulness, mercy, and power.” Not knowing God hinders us in trusting Him. But as we develop a relationship with Him and learn of Him, He who was once a stranger becomes a faithful and trusted friend and our ignorance and unbelief surrenders to a deepening trust.

The Psalmist explained, “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.” (Psalm 9:10 NKJV) God’s name reveals who He is, and as we learn who He is from His Word, we get to know Him and develop trust in Him.

God’s Word tells us that one of the names which is ascribed to God is Immanuel or God with us. “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23 NKJV) Acknowledging that He is with us helps us to trust Him in each and every circumstance. Adam Clarke noted that “He is God with us, to comfort, enlighten, protect, and defend us in every time of temptation and trial, in the hour of death, in the day of judgment; and God with us, and in us, and we with and in him, to all eternity.”

Another name of God is Wonderful Counselor. So, when we need guidance, we know we can trust Him for counsel because He tells us “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8 ESV)

In times of trouble and distress, because we know God, we have a refuge of safety and security for “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10 NKJV).

When we find ourselves in need, we should remember that one of the names of God is Jehovah Jireh, the LORD will provide. Knowing that characteristic of God helps us to put our trust in Him to provide for us. His Word further reassures us, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 NKJV)

The Psalmist offered a compelling reason to seek God in order to know and to trust Him: “For you LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalm 9:10b NKJV) When we seek Him, when we come to Him for help, God will not forsake or abandon us. Isn’t that comforting? The writer of Hebrews tells us that under no circumstances will God ever forsake us: “... For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5b NKJV) This is such an emphatic statement in the Greek language that it contains five negatives, which means that the statement could be translated, “I will not, not leave thee; I will never, no never, forsake thee.” (C.H. Spurgeon).

“And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.” (Psalm 9:10 NKJV)

Learn to know His name and you will find yourself trusting Him more.

Dave Evans

Dave Evans recently retired from his career as an estimator for an electrical contractor, but still works part-time. He recently served as Body Care Pastor for a small church and previously taught at a local Bible College for several years. God led him to found and serve in several outreach ministries—a pet therapy ministry, visiting several skilled nursing facilities and retirement homes: a prayer booth on a local street corner to allow people in the community to stop by for prayer needs and an evangelism table, typically set up once a month at various malls or stores, which made Bibles, tracts, DVDs, and other Christian materials available free of charge to interested shoppers. Dave has a bachelor’s degree in business administration/management. As a writer, he has had many poems and articles published in various periodicals and books. And he’s been privileged to do volunteer work for a local police department.