He Knows My Name
words and music by Tommy Walker (1996)
Chorus
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
and hears me when I call
I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in His hands
I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go
It's a song written by worship leader/songwriter Tommy Walker. Walker has written more than 60 worship songs. Many are familiar such as: "Mourning Into Dancing", "That's Why We Praise Him", and "No Greater Love." And yet as so many annointed Christian leaders have said (Franklin Graham, John Ortberg, Jack Hayford, Chuck Girard, and Rick Warren to name a few), the simple words and music of "He Knows My Name" have touched millions around the world in ways that could only accomplished by the Holy Spirit.
Several months ago, I bought a book by the same name. It's about the song and includes song stories about people and situations that have been touched because of it -- but more than that -- it's about how each of us is special in God's eyes. Each of us is planned, wanted, desperately loved, and created to live with a purpose that literally no one else can fulfill.
At first glance, that might seem very "me" centered. In the introduction to the book, Walker admits that "I've never liked Christian books and songs that were 'me' oriented. After all, I'm a worship leader and my whole life's calling is about helping people fix their eyes on Jesus and not themselves." But he goes on to point out that unless we understand this truth about God's boundless love for us, we miss an important part of Who HE is. We miss His pursuit of us, and we miss the kind of intimate relationship He desires to have with us.
139:13 For thou didst form my inward parts: Thou didst cover me in my mother's womb. 139:14 I will give thanks unto thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Wonderful are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.
1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee; I have appointed thee a prophet unto the nations.
1:4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love:
You always expect that such a powerful song based upon powerful Scripture would have a great and powerful beginning behind it, but the story of how the song was written is surprisingly ordinary, and not very exciting. Walker tells it as a story of "just trying to be faithful to do my job." It's about routine discipline.
Zzz....
His pastor had written a sermon entitled "He Knows My Name" and asked Walker if he could write a song to go with it. But he felt uninspired at first. And that feeling continued even as the words and music began to come. He thought, "Wow, this is the simplest song I've ever written. Maybe it'll work in kids' church." He finished the song and like a good soldier taught it to his church and... nothing. Months later, God began to use the song for His purpose, His plan. Now it's been sung everywhere from packed stadiums, to evangelistic crusades, to funerals and weddings, and orphanages in the Third World (where it seems no one knows anyone's name).
...which brings me to why I am writing about it today.
As I said, I have been reading this book as a devotional for the last couple of months, and I had been thinking about adding the song to our worship in November. When I heard the song again in the Operation Christmas Child video, it spurred me to add it in sooner. So it was already in my worship plan for next week Oct. 28th. Then I got an email from Linda asking if we could use the song in some way while showing pictures on our Operation Christmas Child Sunday.
God is incredible! I am constantly amazed and humbled by the way God consistently works through each of us to accomplish HIS purpose, HIS perfect plan, and to bring glory to HIS name!
Even in all my weaknesses and failures, the Almighty God who deserves all glory, honor, and praise uses even me.
HE KNOWS MY NAME!
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