Today, I saw a little lost dog in the middle of the road. Instantly, my thoughts traveled back to a previous day when we encountered another little lost dog. That experience left a profound impression on me, as it became a moment when God taught me an important lesson. The memory of that incident continues to remind me of His care and presence in our lives.
My daughter, Breanne, loves animals and is forever rescuing them if need be. If a turtle is in the middle of the road, she always stops and takes it to the other side to make sure it gets there safely. If she sees a stray dog or cat, she usually picks them up and finds their owner or finds them a good home – it is just in her nature to do this sort of thing. This heart for animals she has passed down to Bryson, he is just like his mom when it comes to animals.
One day, as we were driving to my house, a little dog suddenly darted into the middle of the road, and we almost hit it. Without hesitation, Breanne stopped the car, turned around, and went back to see where the dog might belong.
The dog wore a collar, but there was no name tag attached. Instantly, I realized this dog would be staying with us for at least a little while. Breanne gently placed the dog in the vehicle and dropped me off at home. Then, she and Bryson set out, going door to door in the neighborhood, hoping to find the dog’s home. Despite their efforts, they were not successful, so they all returned together.
The little dog was clearly nervous, timid, and shaking. Wanting to help, Breanne took the dog to the vet to see if it had a microchip that could identify its owner. Unfortunately, there was none. With no way to locate the dog’s family, the little dog—with no name—spent the night with Breanne and her family. Meanwhile, Breanne put up flyers around the area, hoping that someone in the neighborhood would recognize the dog and reach out, so the owner could be reunited with their pet.
The Joy of Being Recognized
The following day, Breanne received a phone call from an elderly lady who was searching for her lost dog. The woman described both the dog and its collar in detail, confirming that she was indeed the owner. Breanne then made arrangements to return the dog to its rightful home.
During their conversation, Breanne asked the owner for the dog’s name. The owner replied that her name was Scrappy.
We drove to Breanne’s house to pick up the little dog. As soon as Scrappy got into the car, she was visibly anxious, trembling and shaking with nerves. I remarked to Breanne that Scrappy probably wanted nothing more than to return home, given how frightened she seemed.
Then, something remarkable happened. I watched as Breanne spoke gently to Scrappy, trying to comfort her. Despite her efforts, Scrappy continued to shake—until Breanne called her by name. She said, “Are you ready to go home, Scrappy?” In that instant, Scrappy’s expression changed; she stopped trembling and looked intently at Breanne, as though she was asking, “Do you know me?” It was a touching moment. The little dog seemed to sense that, because Breanne knew her name, she could trust her and feel safe.
Immediately, a scripture came to mind that brought comfort and understanding to the situation. In Isaiah 49:15-16, it says, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely, they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.”
This passage serves as a powerful reminder of God’s unwavering love and care. Just as a mother cares deeply for her child, God’s compassion for us is even greater. Even if it were possible for a mother to forget her child, God reassures us that He will never forget us. He has inscribed our names on the palms of His hands, symbolizing how close and precious we are to Him, and that we are always before Him.
There is profound comfort in knowing that God knows your name—He knows you intimately and personally. Scripture tells us that He has inscribed your name on the palm of His hands, a powerful symbol of how close you are to Him. You are never out of His sight or forgotten; His love surrounds you at all times.
This truth offers deep reassurance. Knowing that you are always so near to God should inspire a sense of safety and confidence. To be held in His hands is the greatest protection and comfort we could ever hope for. Isn’t that wonderful? In the reality of His presence, we can truly feel safe, knowing we are cherished and remembered by Him.
There may be times in life when you feel lost, alone, or distant from home, uncertain of how to return to a place of peace and security. In those moments, it is important to hold on to a simple but profound truth: God knows your name. He is always near, even when you feel far away. His presence surrounds you, offering comfort and reassurance. No matter where you find yourself, you are never forgotten or abandoned. He is close to you, ready to guide you and restore your sense of belonging and hope.
God’s Continual Presence and Guidance
The scripture’s phrase, “your walls are continually before me,” serves as a powerful assurance that you and God are inseparably connected. This means that His presence is constant—He will never leave you or forsake you. Even in moments when you feel lost or uncertain, you can turn to Him with confidence. If you find yourself needing to get back on track, you can ask Him for help, and He will guide you. If you are seeking direction, you can trust that He will provide it. He knows you intimately and is always by your side, ready to offer the wisdom and support you need.
Today I am going to leave you with a passage of scriptures from Psalm 139. Meditate on these scriptures and remind yourself of how intimately your God knows you.
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; you understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You. For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book, they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.
