Five Words Change Everything

“I am yours; save me.” Ps. 119:94a

Several years ago I went to see the movie Luther which is based on the life of Martin Luther and the beginnings of the Reformation. The movie may not have scored big at the box office but it had a profound impact on me.

In one scene, a young Luther sits in his cold, dark cell at the monastery and is tormented with doubt that he could ever be loved and accepted by God. His mentor and dear friend, Stauptiz, comes to his aid and ministers to him with words from the Psalms.

Stauptiz: “Martin, what is it you seek?”
Luther: “A merciful God: A God whom I can love. A God who loves me.”
Stauptiz: “Then look to Christ. Bind yourself to Christ and you will know God’s love. Say to Him, ‘I’m yours. Save me.‘”
Luther: ‘I am yours. Save me. I am yours. Save me. I am yours. Save me.’”

I am yours. Save me.

As I watched this scene I was overcome by the power of the words. Tears began to stream down my face. Isn’t it true that EVERYTHING hinges on this one confession? When I am confused and discouraged, wrecked by the affects of living in a fallen world, I can stand on one thing by faith: I belong to Him and it is His will that I am saved through Christ alone. Nothing else will provide the hope and peace I seek but this promise.

As a Christian I know my salvation is secure and so when I pray these words, I am not asking Him over and over again to save me from the penalty of sin. Instead, I am asking Him to demonstrate His presence and sovereignty in my every situation.

Fill in the blank:

I am yours. Save me from these crippling feelings of fear.

I am yours. Save me from doubting You are in control of all my circumstances.

I am yours. Save me from living a self-centered life.

I am yours. Save me from straying outside of your will.

I am yours. Save me from minimizing the affects of sin in my life.

I am yours. Save me from believing anything is too difficult for You.

Again and again the Lord has brought to mind this prayer especially when I have been overcome with discouragement. I belong to Christ! What hope. What security. Will He not also provide everything else I need? As the wonderful old hymn declares, I am His and He is mine.

Loved with everlasting love,
Led by grace that love to know;
Gracious Spirit from above,
Thou hast taught me it is so!
O this full and perfect peace!
O this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease,
I am His, and He is mine.
In a love which cannot cease,
I am His, and He is mine. 

That is the message of the Gospel. Both that He saved us and is saving us. Our eternal destiny secured and yet a continual striving to overcome our sin nature and the fallenness of the world by living in full dependence on the grace of God. This is sanctification–the ongoing process of dying to sin and living for Christ.

So, my friends, keep these five words in your pocket. Speak them liberally and rest over and over in the hope of belonging to Christ and being held in His saving grace.

~Courtney

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