But who do you say I am?

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Peter replied, “You are the Messiah"
Mark 8:29 (NLT)

I had just listened to a challenging sermon on the fear of God.  If I am to fear God rightly - out of respect, honour and love - then I need to know Him.  Hearsay is not enough.  Something inside of me must engage with who He truly is.

So, I got to thinking ... I've respected & honoured others before; my husband, my granny, Billy Graham, the Queen.  Now, I haven't (obviously) had relationship with all of these, but I have held them all in high regard.  But maybe this is about more, more about living and dieing.  Who would I live for?  Who would I die for?  Or even, who would I allow to live with me and give me life?  Who would I allow to give me advice and guidance, so much so, that if they said so, I would do so.  Hmm, this hits a much deeper chord, doesn't it?

We are now in the territory of the "me" - the territory of rights.  This is where fear dwells, both the healthy and scary kind.  If I do not know who God is (who He says He is and has proven Himself to be) I will never fear Him rightly.  I may panic (wrong fear) when He tries to enter "my spot" or just be indifferent - not being aware of His presence and understanding His intentions.

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I can look to my past, but I cannot lean on it
I can look inside myself, but I do not trust my emotions.

I must get to know Him and the only sure way is through scripture.  I can look to my past, but I cannot lean on it for there is so much there that I don't understand or, I forget!  I can look inside myself, but I don't trust my emotions.  I can look at others, but so many claim to know the truth that it gets confusing.  I must, with the Holy Spirit, read and study what God has said (Joshua 1:8).  Why not go to the source?  We have it in abundance!

Here's what I have found:  the more I get to know Christ, the greater my pursuit of Him.  He is beyond my figuring out and yet I can know Him intimately ... mind boggling!  Who is God that He should be mindful of me?  Who am I that I should know Him?  (Psalm 8:3-5)

Who do I say that He is?
He is my God.  I am His follower.
He is my Dad.  I am His child.
He is my Saviour.  I am His prize.
He is my King.  I am His worshiper.
He is my Life.  I am His joy.
He is my Lover.  I am His bride.
He is Messiah.  I am His forever.