"After these things the Word of the Lord came to Abram.., 'Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward'....It shall be, in regard to their inheritance, I am their inheritance. You shall give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession." (Genesis 15:1 & Ezekiel 44:28)
The Ezekiel text is addressed to the Levities. Both texts, however, are also for Jesus Christ and His Followers. "....I am your shield, your...reward....I am their inheritance....I am their possession." The Gospel is not what God gives, but Who He Is. "I Am."
A glorious reality in the New Covenant is that God, Who was "outside" giving what man needs, can now, in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, be "inside," Being Who we need. The New Covenant now declares, because of the Blood of Jesus, His Death and Resurrection, that the Living Triune God is, "Christ in us...."
Life for me is that Jesus Christ is to me, not that He gives to me. Ephesians 2 tells us that, "Jesus is our peace." Jesus does not point the way; Jesus is the Way. Jesus does not tell me or show me the truth; Jesus is the Truth. Jesus does not give me life; Jesus is Life.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I am so thankful that all I need you do not give. All I need You Are!. Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
