PSALM 18:1-2 – “I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

THEME OF THE DAY: OUR PERSONAL GOD.  The resurrection scene between Mary Magdalene and Jesus grips the heart with such emotion and wonder. It also reveals the heart of the Lord Jesus toward His people. Here is the account . . .

“But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her” (John 20:11-18).

Mary is heartbroken. Her Master died, and oh how she loved Him!  Rightly, so as He freed her from the torment of seven demons!  But now, He is gone and her weeping is uncontrollable.  She encounters a Person who she thinks is the gardener.  Little did she know, He is the Ultimate Gardner. He created all the gardens, but she has not been made aware it is her Master.  She said to the unknown Jesus, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”   She makes a rather emotional request. Let’s affirm her because it was a request out of love. She wants to be near the body of Jesus, even saying she would take Him away. Hardly. She wouldn’t have physical strength, but she had the affection to try!  But then, Jesus reveals Himself to her, and how so? Upfront and personal.  He called out her name – Mary. Not a generic address. It was directed to her, and He would make it even more personal and that by possession – “My Father and your Father, My God and your God.”

Today’s scripture is just as personal.  David starts his psalm declaring love for the Lord.  Mary did as well but not in words.  Then David unfolds in such beautiful language all the Lord is to Him – strength, rock, fortress, deliverer, God, shield, salvation, and stronghold.  And what makes these so glorious is the little two letter pronoun my!

Friends, all that the Lord was for Mary and David He is to us.  As we walk in this dangerous world, remember we walk with our personal God.  Make sure the pronoun “my” goes with us each step of the way!

PRAYER. Father, I praise You for being my God; personal, near, and offering a close walk with You daily.

REFLECTION:  God is not a distant deity who is detached from us. Remember He came to us first.