"The Sweet Sigh"

"The Sweet Sigh"   

     One of the most blessed aspects of God's peace in the Lord Jesus Christ involves the truth of His Lordship, namely, that we belong to Him rather than to ourselves.

    "Ye are not your own" (I Corinthians 6:19).

    Let us breathe the sweet sigh of relief as this glorious truth graces our hearts with deliverance from the delusion that we belong to ourselves.  Our Heavenly Father created us as stewards rather than masters and owners.  He eternally exists "the Possessor of Heaven and earth", including the spiritual and earthly components of ourselves.  The very essence of sin involves the deception embraced by Adam and Eve that "ye shall be as gods" (Genesis 3:5).  By definition, "gods" must own themselves and possess their own being.  Incumbent upon such responsibility is the necessity of independent governance, provision, and self preservation.  Only One exists who qualifies for such life and existence.  To the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Psalmist confessed, "Thou art God alone" (Psalm  86:10).  Thus, only One exists who belongs to Himself, as it were.  All other are His - "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world and all they that dwell therein" (Psalm 24:1).

    The sweet sigh of relief proceeds from the remembrance that we have entrusted the care of our spirit, soul, and body to their rightful Owner.  In times of blessedness, we rejoice in the wonder of God's gracious bestowal of undeserved pleasure.  As a dear friend always says when asked how he's doing, "Better than I deserve!"  In times of distress, pain, and difficulty, we remember that every aspect of our being belongs to our Lord.  Physical challenges, for example, tempt us to concern about our bodies. "My (name the body part) hurts."  Or, "I am concerned about my (name the body part)."  Such challenges are real, and we must deal with the factors involved as the stewards of our earthly temple.  Truth, however, beckons us to the realization that our (name the body part) belongs not to ourselves, but to Another.  Believers are "the sheep of His pasture" (Psalm 100:3).  Our Shepherd thus owns our wool, mutton, and every aspect of our physical being.  We deal with physical issues in the light of this Truth that enables us to live from tranquility rather than trepidation.  As a saint of old confessed, "I am Thine, o Father.  Thou may doest as Thou wilt with Thine own.  I trust Thee and rest in Thee with complete confidence in Thy loving care."

   This is peace, the gift of the Prince of peace to whom we belong.  We do a poor job when attempting to own ourselves, as deluded by the ancient lie.  When, however, we remember and affirm the eternal Truth - "Ye are not your own" - our Father exercises His perfect capacity to rule us in wisdom, power, and the tendermercies of a Heart devoted to our well being.  The sweet sigh awaits us in this and in every moment as the sweet Truth reminds us of our Shepherd, and the peace of being stewards rather than owners.

"I am Thine."

(Psalm 119:94)

Weekly Memory Verse

    And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

(Luke 2:10-11)