Your

“I am the LORD your God” Exodus 20:2

Your – Who decided that you belonged to God’s family?  When the day came, was it entirely up to you?  Did you make an independent choice based on all the facts, a purely rational decision?  Or do you have the sneaking suspicion that God had something to do with it all the time?  That God just might have been in the background somewhere making the choice to call you to Him?

There are plenty of images in the Bible that point toward God’s choosing us rather than we choosing Him.  Jesus uses words like “drawing”.  Paul pens “adoption”.  In the Old Testament, this phrase from Exodus becomes the standard for God’s interaction with Israel.  “I am your God” is not as much a statement of fact as it is a declaration of purpose.  “Just in case you were confused about the issue”, says God, “I want you to know who I am.  I am your God.  Don’t even consider having any other god.  I’m telling you right now, I am the one.”

Why is this so important?  Why should this little pronoun make such a difference?  Actually, in Hebrew it isn’t even a full word.  It’s just a little addition to the word elohiym (God).  A sort of add-on.  But what a difference it makes.  This is not just any god.  This is my God.  Why?  Because He says so!  I can take comfort in His claim on me.  I can be assured of His constancy and trustworthiness.  I can proceed with life knowing full well that His protection and blessing stand above me.  All because He is my God.  And in a universe where life without God is filled with fear and risk, that little pronoun “your” makes all the difference.

Today God is your God.  Today life is under His control and you don’t have to be afraid.  He has declared it.  He is for you.  Yes, there was a day when I said, “God I choose to live under Your authority.  I need You.”  But long before that, God declared, “I am the LORD your God.”  What is there to fear?