We Are–Because He Is

The world today seems obsessed with questions of identity. Which team, which party, or which side do you support? Which church do you attend? We need to know the answers to these questions so we will know how to react! The person who answered when a friend rang my stolen phone responded to his request for its return, “Which tribe is she from?” Yesterday, a single friend was asked by a small child, “Do you have any children?” and the follow-up question was, “Well, what are you if you are not a mommy?” Today’s passage shows that interest in identity is nothing new.

The exiled Israelites had been disillusioned and disheartened, “but now” (1) it was going to be different. The Lord, Yahweh, their God, the same ever-existing God who had created them, both as individuals and as a nation, was going to act again. And when he acts, when he sends his Spirit, they will know who they are and be proud to let everyone else know, too. Their identity is clear; they “belong to the Lord” (5)! That is what defines them. They are his people and his witnesses; why would they have any fear of anyone or anything else? And just in case they needed further reassurance, Isaiah provides it. The Lord is absolutely unique; he is their King, Redeemer and Rock.

It is always hard to know what to put when you are asked for biographical details for the benefit of others attending a particular meeting. Israel, probably like most of us, could put, “We are a bit pathetic really, always doing things wrong, not remembering, not understanding, not very powerful, not very influential, overwhelmed by circumstances.” Actually, all that is needed is, “We are the Lord’s.” That says everything.

List the different things that make up your identity. Then write in big letters round the edge, “I belong to Jesus!” How does that affect your view of yourself?