Welcome back to “Praying the Names of Jesus.” If you missed the explanation for the name of Jesus we’re studying this week, click here or scroll down to Monday’s entry.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I find it easy to relate to the people of Israel. Take the passage from Isaiah in which God calls his people by unflattering names. “O worm Jacob, O little Israel,” he says (Isaiah 41:14). I felt just like that this morning after dealing poorly with a difficult situation. So wormlike, so little, so unable to rise to the occasion in the way I wanted to. Afterward, I felt defeated and depressed, but not too depressed to pray. I asked God to help me and steady me and cheer me up.

A partial answer to that prayer came in the shape of a man named Harvey whom I had hired to do some work on my home. A gregarious man, Harvey told me all about how God had saved him when he was a drug dealer many years ago. Now, in addition to having his own business, Harvey serves as the pastor of a local church. Before he left, Harvey asked if he could pray with me. Taking hold of my hand, he prayed for encouragement and wisdom and endurance, citing James 1. After he left, I read the whole chapter, and it spoke to me about my circumstances. In this way God was helping me in my littleness and in my wormlike weakness. Today let us ask God for the help he promises to give, remembering that the Holy One of Israel is our Redeemer. He is the God of all the earth.
Promises in Scripture

“Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob,
O little Israel,
for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 41:14)
For your Maker is your husband –
the Lord Almighty is his name –
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth. (Isaiah 54:5)
But God will redeem my life from the grave,
he will surely take me to himself. (Psalm 49:15)

There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. (Luke 21:25-28)
–Ann Spangler
Adapted from “Praying the Names of Jesus” by Ann Spangler, with permission. Each day for five weeks, learn to better understand the nature and character of Jesus through his many names. Did you miss any entries? Stay subscribed to this feed and you’ll receive the entries you missed once the feed restarts.