Ole What's-His-Name

Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground. (Psalm 147:1-6 ESV). Sometimes I am not very good with remembering names. Inevitably I will ask my wife about “ole what’s-his-name” in reference to someone we have met in the course of our activities. I know there are various memory courses that can be done to improve that, but I have never done one. The results certainly show my not having improved through the years as well. As I read from the psalms recently, it occurred to me that God’s memory is far different than mine. The psalmist declares that God not only knows how many stars there are but also has a name for every single one of them. The verses surrounding this are not about stars but about the Lord’s people, who are just as numerous and whom he knows in the same sort of way. In fact, the particulars of every person who has ever lived, including his or her name, are all in God’s mind. With that thought in mind, it is intriguing to find some “anonymous” people mentioned here and there in Scripture. In fact, there are a number of well-known characters who remain anonymous. We hear the declaration of the queen of Sheba as she confirms the incredible wealth and power of Solomon, but we really don’t know her name. You certainly recall the story of the rich young ruler called, yet we don’t know his name. The paralytic that was lowered to Jesus through the roof is nameless; the demoniac Jesus healed at the Gadarenes is nameless. And, there are many more. We’re simply not told, so we don’t know. But God does. And perhaps that is the point. There are any number of things that for a variety of good reasons, not just curiosity, we should like to know, but that God doesn’t tell us. It’s as if to say, “Provided you know me, you can leave to me all the stuff you don’t know.” That is called trust. One day, of course, we shall know. That is called hope. Today, however, I simply don’t need all that knowledge. I merely need the One who possesses it. No wonder the psalmist begins by declaring “Praise the Lord!” there is so much to praise him for and about. I am always amazed and standing in awe of the glorious character and grace of our God. It is easy for me to begin every day with that thought. When I do, it makes every other part of the day go much better. Try it and see if I’m correct.