May 16, 2021
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 ESV
There is so much suffering in the world, whether it be from a pandemic, genocide, sex trafficking, or any other element of disease, hatred, or abuse. And when persecution or suffering comes knocking on our door, David’s declaration that God will not abandon us becomes even more relevant. So how do we see God drawing near to us or our loved ones when we received the death sentence of a terminal illness? If we truly “know” the name(s) of the Lord that instill trust in us, then nothing can separate us from an awareness of his presence, his peace, and his joy.
That might sound trite to some, but having pastored people who were transitioning from this life to the next, I can verify that our God who is with us in our suffering (Emmanuel) grants us his peace that the world does not know (Yahweh-Shalom) and his tender care as our good Shepherd (Yahweh-Rohi). It requires trust on our part, but the good news is that God initiates. He has become flesh and has dwelt among us and has borne our sins in his body to reconcile us to him. Indeed, his name is above every name. He is Lord of all creation (Philippians 2:9-10). He is King Jesus, and he will not forsake us.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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