The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2 (ESV)
Possessive pronouns are important in communication. Not just in writing, but also in our thought processes. Possessive pronouns recognize ownership. What a difference in thinking, the Lord is strength and song, and He is salvation; this is God, and I will praise him….versus the Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him; my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. Exodus 15:2 (ESV) This is obviously owning our relationship with Him. Personally declaring He is My God. How wonderful that sounds. He is My strength and My song. Dear Ones, I don’t know what you are going through, but I encourage you to declare that He is your God, He is your strength, salvation and your song. It makes it so personal. Faith will arise in your soul and those things that seem so impossible will become doable. Try it! Or better yet, put your name where the “my”s and the “I’s” are! Personalizing helps release faith.
How wonderful to read in Matthew 11: 28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. We don’t have to settle for the burden and yokes of our own making, but we can exchange them for His. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me–just as the Father knows me. John 10:11 (ESV) My sheep listen to my voice; and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no-one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has give them to me, is greater than all; no-one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand, I and the Father are one. John 10:27 (NIV) When we recognize we have the Good Shepherd, who leads us by His voice we can walk in His peace. Of course, we have to let the Good Shepherd be the shepherd to us. We have to listen to His voice and walk in His ways.
Think about your use of pronouns. Do you identify with your church, as “my” church? Are the people “your brothers and sisters” or just people. It makes a difference. When we identify our church as “my” church it implies a relationship. It implies responsibilities–like supporting, serving, praying for and loving; not only the leaders, but also each other. It implies a commitment to work through difficulties and the willing use of forgiveness and mercy. We need each other. Listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd, I know He wants you to be in relationship with His other sheep. Instead of saying to yourself, ‘I have to go to church’, rephrase it to “I get to go to my church this week”, or I get to serve in this ministry this week. It will make a difference in your attitude, at least it does mine! We know scripture says, “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks”, so actually taking the time to think through those phrases will cause your heart to be softer towards your brothers and sisters.
I am grateful I have a Savior I can call mine. I am grateful that I am not His lone sheep, but I have brothers and sisters I can call mine also. I am in a family, and that is a good thing.
Father, I thank you that you say to us “my son” “my daughter”. You give us the privilege to say My God, My strength etc. Help me to walk with You, listening to Your voice, wearing Your Yoke and carrying Your burden, because they are the best for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Faith Encounters 