Is My Name Written There?

Daily Devotional – Sunday, April 2, 2023
Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 10:20 (NKJV)

“Is my name written there?” I asked a friend who was reading through a list of names of successful candidates for a job I had applied for. I could not hide my excitement when my eyes caught my surname. Finally, after months of waiting, I had a job!

Recorded in the Book of Life

Unfortunately, my friend was not on the list. He read through the names two more times before giving up. I could tell he was dejected for not finding his name in the record. It meant he had to repeat the arduous process of searching for a job. How I wish I had the power to insert his name on that list!

Well, my friend may have missed on the list of successful job applicants but I hope he will be present in the most important record of names. It is the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21:27). The Bible repeatedly indicates that only individuals whose names are on this book will escape hell and inherit eternal life.

Rejoice Because Your Names are Written in Heaven

For example, after the seventy disciples had returned from missionary work and had experienced monumental triumph, Jesus cautioned them, “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20).

In essence, in all our service to God and humanity, our goal should be to inherit eternal life. It will not make sense to preach, teach, heal and help people if our names are not in the Lamb’s Book of Life. All our praise, worship and thanksgiving will be preposterous if our names are not written in heaven. Today, contemplate the powerful lyrics of this classical hymn by Mary Kidder (1820–1905).

Is My Name Written There?

Lord, I care not for riches, Neither silver nor gold;
I would make sure of heaven,
I would enter the fold; In the book of thy kingdom,
With its pages so fair,
Tell me, Jesus, my Saviour,
Is my name written there?

[CHORUS]
Is my name written there,
On the pages white and fair?
In the book of thy kingdom,
Is my name written there?

Lord, my sins they are many,
Like the sands of the sea;
But thy blood, O my Saviour is sufficient for me;
For thy promise is written , In bright
letters that glow, “Though your sins be as scarlet,
I will make them like snow.”

O that beautiful city, With its mansions of light,
With its glorified beings In pure garments of white;
Where no evil thing cometh, To despoil what is fair,
Where the angels are watching,
Is my name written there?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, is my name written there, in Your Book of Life? If not, please write it now.