Author: Mary Drummond
WHEN GOD CALLS YOU BY NAME
by Mary Drummond
Study includes:
A. Prophetic Encouragement
B. Devotional Teaching
C. Weekly Scripture Meditation
A. Prophetic Encouragement
The other night I was awakened out of a dream as I heard God urgently whisper my name. He said, “Mary!” I have never heard the audible voice of God before, yet everything in my spirit knew it was Him. His voice was so direct and intentional, I knew He wanted my attention. I sat straight up in bed and felt a little like Samuel, “Yes, Lord?” I stayed up for awhile listening and reading my Bible, but sensed nothing further from the Lord.
The next day, driving in my car, I asked God why He would so specifically call my name and not say anything else. He reminded me of a passage of Scripture I had been meditating on in recent weeks. It was out of John 20, verses 11 through 16, where Mary Magdalene mistook Jesus for a gardener after His resurrection. All He said was one word, “Mary,” and she perceived who He was.
I had been telling the Lord that I needed Him to say my name and reveal Himself to me again. I was tired of my own version of who I’ve made God to be. I wanted the revelation of Him that He wanted to show me, a revelation based on encounter. When He revealed why He said my name, my entire being flooded with the assurance of the Lord being with me here and now.
I believe this is where we are at in the body of Christ. God is revealing Himself in a way that restores the immediacy of our relationship with Him. We are not simply business partners in this walk of Christianity. We are intimately joined by covenant relationship. The Lord is doing a new thing in this day, and it is vital we have a vision upgrade to see Him in our midst.
As confirmation, I recently heard Julie Meyer, a prophetic voice out of IHOP, ministering in prophetic song. She said that this is a season of the audible whisper of God saying our name. I believe this is a confirmation of why God spoke my name and the revelation He is instilling in the whole body of Christ. The Lord calls each one of us by name and is drawing us to Himself so He can show us who He truly is, and therefore, who WE truly are in Him. There is fresh revelation being poured out that removes the presumption of our idea of the Lord and replaces it with Himself. Let Him speak your name and allow Him to reveal Himself today as “God with you.”
B. Devotional Teaching
Often we want to find the right answer, the right principle, the correct way of “doing” Christianity, so we can get the results we want. Whether it is healing, the next God encounter, or financial breakthrough, as humans we are always trying to discover the formula that works. Using myself as an example, I say that I want to live my life out of a relationship with God, and yet I continually find myself grasping for a formula that I can follow.
Of course, there are spiritual laws and values that, when followed, bring blessing upon our lives. There is nothing wrong with following the truth and laws God has set out for us, as we should. Yet I want to challenge you that there is a better way. This is the way of Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together.” The Lord tells us to bring each circumstance of our life into a place of discussion and relationship with Him. We are to work out our salvation in the context of “knowing” Him.
Let's take fear, for example. If I am ever anxious or afraid, I know Scriptures that I can quote and stand on. Scriptures like 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Or Proverbs 18:10, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” I can quote these Scriptures, sing songs of faith and trust, and remind myself of the nature of God, but it is in God’s presence that I can really encounter Him. It is true that perfect love casts out all fear, and in His presence is fullness of joy. In both of these Scriptures, it’s not the principle of the truth but the transaction that occurs. The truth lies in the act of receiving His love and being in His presence. We have got to move past a concept of who God is and come face to face with the substance of Him.
So, like Mary searching for Jesus at the tomb, let’s seek the face of God. Let’s posture ourselves to be near Him. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” We have a Heavenly Father who gave His dearest treasure in Jesus that we could KNOW Him. He is saying your name today. He is making it personal. Listen and wait to see what it is about Himself that He wants to reveal, in order to walk hand-in-hand with you in this season!
C. Weekly Scripture Meditation
Week ONE - John 20:11–18. Mary Magdalene sees Jesus after the resurrection.
Week TWO - 2 Corinthians 3:18. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.
Week THREE - Hebrews 11:6. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” AlsoJohn 17:20–26.
Week FOUR - Isaiah 1:18. “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD.
Hebrews 4:16. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of nee.
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