Hope From Ashes

Read: Psalm 126; Isaiah 43:1-7; Philippians 2:19-24

Names are important. They are a gift, carefully chosen for us. Parents spend months deliberating, googling baby names, considering family traditions, or seeking inspiration from meaningful words. Some names carry legacies, passed down through generations, while others reflect hopes and dreams parents have for their child’s future. No matter the origin, your name is personal—it identifies you, distinguishes you, and is woven into your very being.

Because of this, did you know that hearing your own name triggers a positive chemical response in your brain? Studies show that when someone says our name, our brain releases dopamine and serotonin—the “feel-good” hormones—creating a sense of joy and connection. It’s no wonder human behavior expert Dale Carnegie once said, “A person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.”

Now, think about this: the God of the universe—the one who created the heavens and the earth—knows your name. Not only does God know it, but he calls you by name and claims you as his own. Let that sink in. The same God who formed the stars and set the world into motion looks at you with love and says, “You are mine.”

Even still, the hard truth in Isaiah 43 remains: life will not always be easy just because God calls us and knows us by name. This passage reminds us that challenges are inevitable, but for those who love God, there is always hope.

In Isaiah 43, God declares, “When you pass through the waters… when you walk through fire… I will be with you.” His presence changes everything. Even when the waters rise and the flames draw near, we can trust that we are never alone. The one who knows our name will sustain and carry us through every trial.

Lent is a season to reflect on this powerful truth. Have you ever faced a moment of deep struggle or felt abandoned, only to later realize that God was with you all along? How did that revelation shift your perspective? As you look back on God’s faithfulness, how can those experiences strengthen your trust in him for the future?

Know this: No matter your circumstance, God sees you, God loves you, God calls you by name, and God is always with you. May this assurance fill you with hope today and always.

Prayer:

Gracious God, thank you for calling me by name and claiming me as your own. When the waters rise and the fires burn, remind me that I am never alone, for you are always with me. In this season of Lent, help me to reflect on your faithfulness and see the ways you have carried me all the days of my life. Strengthen my trust in your promises, replace my fear with faith, and fill my heart with the hope of your unshakable love. I surrender my worries to you, knowing that you are my refuge and my strength. In Jesus’ name, Amen.