Sisters, Who Do You Say That He Is?

Matthew 16:13–15 New International Version (NIV)

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Everyone was talking about who people said Jesus was, but Jesus turned and asked His disciples, “Well, who do you say I am?” I think that is a really important question. When you are in the middle of a faith crisis, you cannot rely or stand firmly on who someone else says God is. You can only stand firmly on who you personally know Him to be. There are so many character qualities and facets of God that it is impossible for two people to be leaning on Him in the exact same way because it’s based on how intimately you know Him and what you are going through at the time.

Recently, when I was super discouraged, I started listening to old messages I had recorded. When you know something to be true or you have experienced God in a certain way, you should record yourself talking about it. To review what you have learned about His character and how He has been in your life and hear your own voice saying it is a very powerful tool. As I listened to recordings of my own voice speaking about my walk with God—how He has encouraged me, truth that I know and stand firmly in, miracles He has done on my behalf, the way He has moved in my life—I was seriously encouraged.

Some days, discouragement will come out of left field and punch your lights out. If you leave discouragement alone, it will eat your lunch. But if you take discouraging thoughts and imaginings captive, if you cast them down and put your foot on their neck and replace them with truth, then they will have no impact. We need to encourage ourselves daily. Don’t wait on someone else to encourage you.

Encourage yourself daily. How do you do that? Remember who God is to you. Amy says, “If you can trust God with your yesterdays, you can trust Him in your tomorrows.” What has God already done for you? Who has He been to you?

There is a song that Bethel Church wrote called “Good, Good Father.” As I was thinking about this song, I began to replace the lyrics and make my own version based on my personal walk with God:

You’re a good, good doctor.
It’s who You are.
And I’m healed by You.
It’s who I am.

You’re a good, good shepherd.
It’s who You are.
And I am safe in You.
It’s who I am.

Now I want you to think about that song. Listen to it. Pray about it. Really ask yourself, “How am I experiencing God right now?” What if Jesus were to ask you face to face, “Who do you say that I am?” I want you to ask yourself that question and then fill out this song. Add your lyrics with this and share it with us.

When we share, we encourage others. There are some times when you need to fill up your tank because you can’t feed others on an empty tank. You have to have daily bread; you need fuel. Pour it in every day. It’s a great reminder. “As iron sharpens iron,” we can sharpen one another (Proverbs 27:17 NIV). As you share your song, it’s going to help another sister see God through your eyes, see Him in a new way, and trust Him more today than she did yesterday.

Don’t let technology or time get in your way. Just pause and listen to the song. Read the lyrics and then throw out your own. Who do you say that He is?

If this has encouraged you in any way, share it to encourage someone else.