When I was in elementary school I had an aunt who called me “Speed.” I don’t know that I was any faster than other kids . . . I do recall taking home a few blue ribbons from our school’s “Sports Day” . . . but I don’t know that I was really any faster than anybody else. But, because I was called Speed, I thought I was faster. Not gonna lie, I liked being called Speed. I thought it was a special name, and so, I thought I was kind of special.

Throughout the Scriptures God has sprinkled various “special names” for His people. They’re one of the things I’m on the lookout for as I work my way through my reading plan. Found one this morning that’s given me reason to pause and reflect.

Oh, save Your people and bless Your heritage!
    Be their shepherd and carry them forever.      (Psalm 28:9 ESV)

By His Spirit, through David in this case, the LORD gives us some insight as to how He regards His people through this “special name.” God’s people are God’s heritage . . . or, as it’s translated in other versions, His inheritance.

Literally, the word is “possession” . . . the idea being of something that will be possessed, as in land that will be occupied . . . thus, something inherited. And the idea of God’s people being God’s possession or heritage isn’t unique to Israel and the Old Testament. Peter, by the Holy Spirit, writes, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

I sit here and noodle on the idea of being part of God’s heritage . . . a portion of His inheritance . . . and, to be honest, I feel kind of special. O’ the wonder that God would desire to want such as I as part of His possession. That God would even notice, much less desire, that those, like myself, who were once marked by their transgression should now be deemed to be part of His treasure is awe beyond awe. To consider that, though I was once an enemy, I am now part of His heritage, is blessing upon blessing in and of itself.

But the other thought that fills my mind . . . and impacts my heart . . . is that I am His possession. I am not my own . . . I was bought with a price . . . and now, I belong to Another (1Cor. 6:19-20). I am His property . . . purchased by the blood of His precious Son . . . redeemed through the work of the cross . . . re-lifed by the power of His Spirit . . . I am His, and His alone.

Special names can make you feel kind of special . . . but with them come a special responsibility. I don’t think I ever lived up to “Speed” . . . but by God’s grace I desire to live like His heritage . . . desiring to walk in a manner consistent with being Someone Else’s possession . . . offering myself daily as one who has been bought by Another.

His heritage . . . by His grace . . . and for His glory.