PSALM 4:3 – But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself; the LORD hears when I call to Him.

THEME OF THE DAY. OWNED AND CARED FOR. Today’s scripture is one of the most encouraging truths a believer will ever know. It has such wide applications for all we need to walk a life with the Lord that is pleasing, confident, and influential. David, the inspired author, wants us to really grasp the power behind this truth. He uses the words, “But know” and that points to conviction and certainty that we may rest on what he proclaims – God has taken the initiative to set us apart for His very own property. Let’s explore the implications of this heart-warming truth.

First, God is sovereign when it comes to salvation and adopting people into His family – the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself. When did this happen? Allow the Apostle Paul to tell us . . . Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:3-6). Friends, God chose us in His Son before we were even born and He did so to put us into His forever family. Take great comfort in the doctrine of sovereign election. Rest in its security. Don’t debate it. Be in awe of it. And here is something for the timid believer to do when the devil whispers his lies, “You are not one of the elect”. The worst thing is to try to figure out, “Am I one of the elect?”. Instead ask ourselves, “Do we believe in Christ and have we received Him?” Remember what Jesus said, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out (John 6:37). The election issue is solved if we have come to Christ.

Another implication in today’s scripture as those whom God has set apart for Himself is the guarantee of His care and protection. God doesn’t abandon His own. God doesn’t neglect His own. God doesn’t become indifferent to His own. He paid too high a price for us to forsake us or let us go on our own. And the most affirming role our God plays to prove this care and protection is that of being our Good Shepherd. Take time today and read Psalm 23. It will encourage us to trust Him more for truly we are owned and cared for by the Good Shepherd who never loses a sheep.

PRAYER: “Father, help me to always trust in Your care over me for You have bought me by the blood of Your Son.”

QUOTE: “God cannot nor would not abandon those whom He gave to His Son through the sacrifice of His Son”