The Lord is…
Who is the Lord to you?
I don’t mean that we can make up a picture of Him, some sort of imaginary concept; some abstract thing where one might say, “this is what the idea of God means to me”.
I mean, which aspects of the Father’s love, mercy, beauty, and power have we known by experience to be true? Which attributes of God’s character as revealed in Scripture have particularly touched and shaped your life so far?
In other words, as you reflect on times in your life, when God came through with peace, or provision, with direction or help, who was He to you in those seasons or moments?
After the Lord parted the Red Sea, destroying the Egyptian army who were bent on killing the Israelites, Moses and his people sang, “The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation” (Ex 15: 2)
When the Lord delivered David from the hands of all his enemies he sang, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer” (2 Sam 2: 22)
When David took a moment to reflect upon the Lord loving care for him, he wrote, “The Lord is my shepherd” (Ps 23: 1)
In an uncertain world, with superpowers pitted against each other, the prophet Nahum reminded God’s people that “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble” (Nahum 1: 7).
When Paul wrote to the Philippian church, encouraging them not to submit to anxiety but in every situation bring their needs and requests to God, he began by remining them, “The Lord is near” (Phil 4: 5).
We learn who the Lord is by His effect on our lives. Yes, we can read that “The Lord is my portion and my cup” (Ps 16: 5) or hope in the promise that for those who refuse to let the Lord’s wisdom out of their sight, “the Lord will be your confidence” (Prov 3: 26 ESV). But there is another, deeper dimension to “Knowing the Lord” or knowing who He is when He graciously allows us to experience His working in our minds, hearts, homes and lives. In all our comings and goings.
Who is the Lord to you? How have you experienced Him so far?
It is good to stop and think about that. To remember moments, like opening the page of an old photograph album and smiling at a memory. And then give thanks. To enjoy His presence in that moment. To be His child. Safe. Secure. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Ps 27: 1)
The Lord is. He is Present, Holy, Almighty, Kind. Full of love.
He is real. Alive.
He is Interested in you. In everything about you.
And He is active in His World. Carrying out His will.
Because He is God. He is the Living God. The Lord is… God.
