Verse: Psalm 100:1-3
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Devotion
There is something powerful and comforting in these words. “It is he who made us, and we are his.” We are his. We belong to Jesus, and we belong with Jesus. Not only that but “we are his people” which means we belong with each other!
I want to belong. I’ve always wanted to belong. Haven’t you? But belonging is rarely just given. It often has to be earned. You have to have similar interests, or pursue similar goals, or look similar, or act similar. But with God, the invitation is wide open.
You may feel like you struggle to belong socially. You may feel like you are different. You may even feel like, with God, you can’t belong because you don’t think you are good enough.
But Scripture tells us that you were “bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20) and that God’s Spirit in us has “brought about your adoption” into God’s family. God has done this work by his grace and because of his love.
This morning, what a great way to start the day. Reflect on the fact that you are loved by God. Think about what it means that “you are his” and that you don’t have to strive for that or earn that in any way. He has chosen you and delights in you. You belong. Without having to earn your way in, Jesus offers you a lifetime membership – for free! You belong to him so when the insecurities and self doubts come knocking at the door of your heart, you can rest in the truth that you are his. You belong to him, and you belong in his family. He has claimed you. The world, or doubt, or fear, or shame — they can’t have you anymore.
Prayer
Thank you Jesus for your free gift of salvation. Thank that you have offered me a place of belonging that is like no other. I am grateful and like the Psalmist I will worship you with gladness!
Author: Christian Dunn
Recent Comments