The Name

“Those who know your name will trust you:

you will never forsake those who seek you.”

Psalm 9

The Name of Jesus is not decoration.

It is not atmosphere.

It is not spiritual mood.

It is a blade.

When everything else fails you

your discipline

your clarity

your sense of being good

your feeling of being held

the Name remains.

You discover very quickly what you truly trust.

When anxiety rises

when shame burns

when loneliness howls

when the mind will not be still

say the Name.

Not beautifully.

Not with technique.

Say it as a drowning man gulps air.

Lord Jesus Christ.

There is sweetness in it.

But not sentimental sweetness.

It is sweet because it does not flatter you.

It does not negotiate with your ego.

It does not admire your spirituality.

It receives you as you are

fragmented

impure

afraid.

The power of the Name is this

it binds you to a Presence that does not withdraw when you are exposed.

You will withdraw.

He will not.

You will doubt.

He will not.

You will tire of seeking.

He does not tire of being found.

To know His Name is to stake your life on that.

Not on feelings.

Not on experiences.

Not on reassurance.

On Him.

Say the Name in the dark.

Say it when nothing moves.

Say it when you feel abandoned.

Those who know your Name will trust you.

And He does not forsake those who seek Him.

Hold the Name.

And endure.