Isaiah 43:1
But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
Back in the 80s, the US and USSR cut some sort of deal where Gorbachev and Reagan each had a crack at addressing the peoples of both nations in a speech. Afterward, the media of both countries interviewed Soviet and American citizens for their impressions. One Russian’s remarks remain in memory. He said, “When Gorbachev speaks, he sounds like he’s talking to a million people; when your President speaks, he sounds like he’s talking to you.” God understands this elementary principle of decent communication and expresses it in today’s Scripture. God does not think in terms of statistics, demographics and generalities. You are not some ingredient in a sociological trend. You are a person, known to him by name and beloved in all your uniqueness. Take a few minutes reflect on that fact and then thank God for loving you as a person and for calling you—-you yourself—-by name.
