I Am the Lord

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 7
Ye are not your own.... Ye are bought with a
price: therefore glorify God in your body,
and in your spirit, which are God's.
What comfort may be found in the words: "I am the Lord's." The Lord Jesus has redeemed us with His own precious blood. Having set such a value upon us, and having bought us for Himself, He will assuredly keep us. None shall pluck us out of His hand. Our life is safe beyond all contingencies, for it is "hid with Christ in God." Col. 3:33For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3). "Whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's." Rom. 14:88For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. (Romans 14:8).
We may be tossed about by ever-changing circumstances. To be entitled to say, "I am the Lord's," however, may well keep the soul in abiding peace. It is heaven begun below.
Come what will, painfulness or weariness, poverty or persecution, bonds or imprisonments, fire or flood, still the sweet words, "I am the Lord's," should enable us to say, "None of these things move me." Acts 20:2424But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24).
What strength will it impart if these little words, "I am the Lord's," become an abiding thought running perpetually through the heart! It will detach us from an evil world; it will keep us calm and patient amidst all its restlessness and striving, and its tumultuous commotions and disturbances. It will raise us above its empty pleasures, and protect us from its dangerous devices. We shall then be anxious about nothing, careful only to please our Father. For whatever troubles may threaten or assail, we can come with confidence, making our requests known unto God, and His own peace, according to His Word, "shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:77And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7).
Death itself is not the end to the believer; it is the entrance into life, unhindered by any of the obstructions that press us down here in this lower world. Not only will peace be our portion, but joy will be ever bubbling up, knowing that "He that shall come will come, and will not tarry" (Heb. 10:3737For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. (Hebrews 10:37)), and then we shall be forever with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:1717Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)).
E. J. Checkley