Belonging预览

His

It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. (v. 3)

Picture a beautiful, lush pastureland. The sheep are lazily grazing as if they did not have a care in the world. Their shepherd is nearby protecting them. He tends to them lovingly and knows each one of them. They are his!

The psalmist says, “It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture” (v. 3). Jesus often referred to his people as sheep. We see that especially in the gospel of John. In John 10, we read about Jesus, our good shepherd who tenderly cares for his sheep. He knows them, feeds them, and protects them. And he is willing to even lay down his life for his sheep. The sheep know his voice. They will not respond to a stranger. The sheep listen to their shepherd’s voice, and they follow him because they belong to him.

The most beautiful words of belonging are the words “we are his.” And the possessive pronoun my emphasizes this belonging in John 10. Jesus says of us “my sheep.” We are his, under his loving care.

Today may you know that the Lord created you, you are his, the sheep of his pasture. You belong to him. You need not fear. He is with you. His rod and his staff will comfort you (Ps. 23:4). Rest in the security of this truth—you are his!

As you pray, be thankful that you are his!