Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him and bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
Psalm 100, NKJV
I'm so glad I belong to God. I know some people cringe at the thought of "belonging" to someone, as if it is like being a slave or a pet, but it's not like that for me at all. It's really like belonging to my Dad and Mom; they gave me life, I am their son. I belong to them. I am their "people", and they are mine. It's the same with God. He is the Almighty Creator, but He has become my Father by way of adoption, having purchased my place in His family through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
And because I am now His "people", and He is mine, I know that God will also take care of me, just as my Dad would. I cannot count the number of times by Dad went to bat for me. I cannot enumerate all the gifts he gave me, nor all the sacrifices he made for my benefit. My Dad was a provider, a protector, a discipler, a teacher, a friend. He did everything he could for me, to get me started right in life and keep me on the right path. And he did all that because I am his, I belong to him, I am His "people".
All those who come to God through Jesus Christ belong to Him, and have become His people. I know it's not Politically Correct to say this, but it is a fallacious error to say that "we are all God's children." Jesus said to certain hypocrites of his acquaintance, "You are not children of Abraham; you are like your father the devil." We are not born God's children, we have to be born again into His holy family. Those that don't know Him cannot claim Him as Father, nor Jesus as brother. And they can't have one without the other. But when we come to the Father through the grace of the Son, what a wonderful family we belong to then.
I tell you, it is an awesome thing to belong to God, and to be one of His people!
Today I'm thankful for all the people who came my way today to take my stuff off my hands at decent prices. Some of them got a better deal with me than they would have anywhere else, and I'm glad I could do it.
I'm thankful for the beautiful weather this morning, the breeze that kept things cool until my garage sale ended and I was able to retreat inside.
I'm thankful for the strength God gave me to get through this day, and the strength I know He will provide for tomorrow!
What are you thankful for?
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