Belonging to God

"And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. ²³ For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, ²⁴ saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.'"

Acts 27:22-24

I was greatly encouraged to hear Paul describe his relation to God as "to whom I belong and whom I serve."  People often try to "fit in," and even when these efforts seem successful it is a far cry from belonging.  Paul had been purchased with the blood of Jesus and his life was not his own, but he was not only a servant:  he eternally belonged to God.

Paul was able to encourage his fellow shipmates in the midst of a raging tempest not to lose heart, for the God to whom he belonged had sent a message of deliverance.  God sent the message first to encourage Paul and also for the benefit of the crew.  Many of those men addressed by Paul were criminals and condemned, and Paul in one sense didn't belong there.  He was innocent of all false accusations levelled at him, but he found himself on a ship driven to disaster by a great storm.  Since Paul belonged to God, however, God was with him.  God heard his prayers and not only would save all on board at his request, but also sent an angel to confirm it.

Many people wade through this life on earth lacking the sense of belonging anywhere.  They do not feel comfortable or at ease among crowds, or feel out of place among even family or acquaintances.  There is a yearning within a person which desires more than superficial acceptance but that of belonging - a longing to be with or even be someone he knows he is not.  It is hard to put into words, but it is like an emptiness, a scratch which cannot be pinpointed, a hunger which gnaws at the soul.  This longing for belonging in all people can only be permanently satisfied through a relationship with the eternal, Living God.  Belonging to God provides assurance of truth, wisdom, and a future which the greatest storms cannot destroy.

Belonging to God has nothing to do with geography, people, or plans, but is the reality discovered through receiving the Gospel.  Paul belonged to God, but he was no holy hermit:  we see demonstrated in his life a profound love for people.  Wherever he went it seemed there were brethren he sought to encourage and was strengthened by fellowship.  Even on a sinking vessel he took heart because He belonged to God who spoke to him and would save him.  This provides great consolation for all:  those adrift in life can belong to God through faith, and those who have received the Gospel ought to remember and rejoice that we belong!