"Brand"

The day we had our brandin’,

I was glad to have my turn,

At roping and a-draggin’ calves,

The brand on which to burn.

The mark that they belonged to us,

The sign of ownership,

And every single one I caught,

I made the same old trip.

Scoop up those heels so carefully,

And then pull up your slack,

Dally, then drag to the fire,

Then build a loop, go back.

And some were quite determined,

To escape the fire that day,

Dodgin’ and a-turnin’,

And I heard a cowboy say,

You just go ahead and run,

But you can’t get away,

My horse is quick, my rope is long,

This is your brandin’ day.

I’ve since thought much about it,

We carry Jesus’ brand,

But some run from His ownership,

The direction of His hand.

They argue with the Master’s loop,

They dodge and turn and skip,

Trying to escape Him,

But every single trip,

The Good Lord says go on and run,

But you can’t get away,

My horse is quick, My rope is long,

This is your brandin’ day.

And do not fear the fire you see,

It refines you and will heal,

Shows you that bought with a price,

His ownership is real.

The love that brands our hearts, you see,

Will always hold us close,

And there’s greater grace to be,

He loves us all the most.

“Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit…” (Ephesians 1:13, NIV)

We are called “God’s own possession.” Because we have received by faith the offer of salvation. the Holy Spirit has come to mark us with God’s seal. This is very much like receiving God’s brand. His ownership is confirmed by the power and presence of God’s Holy Spirit. He lets us know that we belong to God, beyond any shadow of a doubt.

Lord, make us with Your Spirit, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Don Dane, used by permission. Thanks, Don, and God bless.