Psalm 119:73
Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. Psalm 119:73
I recently read “Fearless Living” by Jamie Winship where he focuses on our identity God created us with when He knit us together in our mother’s womb.
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. – Psalm 139:13-14 ESV
It is important to spend time contemplating our purpose in the Kingdom of God. Not just our spiritual gifts, but that is important. Not just our character traits, but those are important too. Not just our personality type, but that might help define our sin patterns. Our identity in the Kingdom of God is includes all those things but is bigger than that.
“Your hands have made and fashioned me;” The psalmist is acknowledging that the Creator God, to whom he relies on, created him uniquely and in a distinct way. He is acknowledging that he does not consider himself “a self-made man.”
“…give me understanding …” He is also asking for more. The psalmist needs understanding as to how to live forGod’s glory and for his good, based on how God “made and fashioned” him. He needs the Creator to share the instruction manual with him.
“…that I may learn your commandments.” To learn what God has for him; he needs to know more about what he is called to do. There are specific practices for each profession. A professional accountant practices his craft differently than a professional athlete. A boot maker practices his craft differently than a pastor. God has a calling on each of our lives and the psalmist wants to learn his so that he can do it well, to God glory.
Our individual identity in the Kingdom of God can be found through the basic means of grace and disciplines of faith. Bible-intake, prayer and fasting, silence and solitude, journaling, serving others, stewarding what God has provided you with, evangelizing, multiplying and worship. The Bible shows us how to speak to God and how to listen to God. If you want to know what your identity in God’s Kingdom is, just ask Jesus. During your prayer time, stop speaking and listen to what Jesus might be saying to you.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. – James 1:5 ESV
If you have questions as to what your identity in Christ is or how to go about praying for God to reveal it to you, please reach out to Burke Care. One of our Burke Care team members would love to dialogue about this with you.
*Some of the ideas found in this blog originated from Jamie Winship’s Identity Exchange material (Identity Exchange)
God, You chose me before Creation. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. You know me better than I know myself. Do not let me occupy my mind with things too great. Keep me humble as I abide in You. Amen.
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. – Psalm 131 ESV
Application Questions:
1. What lies to I tell myself about who I am and how God made me?
2. What truth do I not believe about God’s goodness and love for me?
3. Am I ready to ask God to reveal my true identity in the Kingdom of God?
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