This past Sunday in church we were singing that song “1,000 Names” by Phil Wickham. As we were singing the thought occurred to me that without some of the hard in life, we can’t really know Jesus by those names. Without the need for healing, would we know Him as Healer? Without broken hearts would we know the peace and healing that comes when Jesus puts the pieces back together, like only He can? If I wasn’t a slow learner, I wouldn’t know His patience and abundant grace that meets time after time.
Yes, I’d still know Jesus, but would I really know Him like I do now if my life had gone the way I wanted, hoped and prayed it would? It’s the difference between surface level knowing and really knowing another person. LIke that friend that you can see and just know she’s not okay, even though she swears she is. Or our spouses who say “I’m fine” and may even fool others into believing that it’s true. But our knowing of them is so personal and intimate that we 100% know they are far from fine.
So I guess the question is how badly do I want to know Jesus, on an intimate and personal level? Because He will reveal more and more of Himself when and if we ask, but it likely won’t come in the way we expect or probably want. Just think about some of the names used in this song and what they mean –
Bondage Breaker – means you’ve experienced bondage in some way, possibly through addiction, shame or regret and Jesus has kicked those walls down. Does anyone else need to know Jesus as the One “who’s handing out the prison keys”?! (John 8:36, Galatians 5:1, 2 Corinthians 3:17)
Patient Grace – means you’ve tried and failed and tried and failed. Probably more times than you can count, but God is still right here. Not once has He given up on you. Can I get an Amen?! (Hebrews 13:5)
Ocean Parter – means God makes a way when and where there seems to be no way! Perhaps you’ve seen Him clear a path or provide some miraculous provision that you could never have imagined. (Ephesians 3:20)
Rock of Ages – means God is firm, steady and will always remain standing! If you’ve ever felt like your entire life has crumbled around you and you have no idea how to even get out of bed, let alone move through life – you are blessed to know God as the Rock of Ages. (Isaiah 26:3-4, Matthew 7:23-25, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
Healer – means you’ve needed healing or prayed for healing in some form or fashion. This one hits home for me in more ways than one. I’ve prayed for healing for others more times than I can count. Some of those times, earthly healing came. While others, the healing was eternal as Jesus took my loved one home forever. Even now we are praying for my father in law and we honestly aren’t sure which way the healing is gonna come. But there is peace (Prince of peace is another name) in the unknown – because we KNOW Jesus!
And I can’t help but think of this stupid shoulder injury that has honestly kicked my butt for longer than I ever dreamed it would. But here I am, four months later still in need and praying for healing. The interesting thing here is that weeks have gone by where I didn’t pray for healing because I thought…..well, I guess I don’t know what I thought honestly. There was the time I decided I just needed to be grateful and simply thank Jesus for the opportunity to walk through this pain. There was the time when I decided I was just being a baby and I needed to suck it up and move on. (2 Cor 12). And then there have been weeks when I’ve felt I don’t deserve healing for one reason or another.
The thing is – how can I know and proclaim Jesus as Healer, if I don’t ask Him to heal me?! Wouldn’t I rather have that end to this story! And be able to share ALL the good that He’s brought over the months of rehab and healing. If it was a quick healing, I wouldn’t have met some of the people I’ve met, I wouldn’t have been able to share how He is the one that keeps me going, I wouldn’t have been able to experience the support and love of family and friends who faithfully help, pray for and support me! Dare I say, all the pain has been worth it? (Matthew 4:24, Mark 3:10, 1 Peter 2:24)
And to think these are just a few examples from the over 1,000 names we know God to be. What a blessing to really know Jesus like this!
Captivated Hearts 