The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
“The Sweet Sigh”
Let us breathe the sweet sigh of relief as we remember the truth that frees our hearts from the delusion that we belong to ourselves…
"Ye are not your own" (I Corinthians 6:19).
Our Heavenly Father created us as stewards rather than masters and owners. He eternally exists as "the Possessor of Heaven and earth,” including the heavenly and earthly components of ourselves. The 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. This requires 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 others 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 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 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 and emotional challenges often tempt us to concern. “My arm hurts.” “I feel sad." The challenges of physical and emotional pain are real and must be addressed as we fulfill our role as stewards of our earthly temple. The truth, however, beckons us to the realization every aspect of our being belongs not to ourselves, but to Another. “We are His people and the the sheep of His pasture" (Psalm 100:3). Our Father calls us to the peace of realizing how perfectly He cares for His own, resulting in the sweet sigh of “I am Thine” that delivers us from the turmoil of “I am mine.” 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 confidence of 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 devil who conceived the ancient lie. When 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 lovingkindness of a Heart devoted to our well being. The sweet sigh awaits us in this and every moment as God's 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
The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
(Deuteronomy 29:29)
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