the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Our Daily Homily - Volume 2
Psalms 100:3—We are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. (R.V.)
The sense of God’s proprietorship is the true basis of our consecration. We must realize his rights over us before we can freely give Him his due. Those rights are manifold in their sweet reasonableness; but amongst them all, this of creation is one of the chief. God has a right to us because He has made us.
He made us, as the potter fashions the clay, for a distinct purpose; and surely He has a right to use the vessels of his workmanship for the purpose unto which He has designed them.
He made us, as the builder erects a house for the purpose of inhabiting it; and surely He has a right to occupy every distinct room, and go to and fro in it as He may please.
He made us, as the hand of the weaver makes some textile fabric for wearing; and surely He must not be debarred from the free and unquestioned disposal of that on which He has expended anxiety and time.
We are Christ’s by creation, by purchase, by toils and tears, by the gift of the Father. The Good Shepherd owns us, though we do not always acknowledge his ownership, or repay his pains and wounds on our behalf. Look up into his face and say, "I am thine by a myriad ties, and am bound to Thee for evermore. Lead me where Thou wilt; guide me whither Thou choosest; count me as one of thy people; feed me on thy pasture-lands; make as much of me as Thou canst, this aide of heaven; number me with thy saints in glory everlasting."
"With bowed heads and open hearts," says Dr. Westcott, "may we offer ourselves. We can do no more, and we dare do no less."
