Belong
Romans 14:8 – If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
“That’s mine!” shouts the little girl, trying to wrest her doll from her older brother’s hands. Her brother sneers down at her and holds it over his head, high enough so that she can’t reach it. “MOM!” she cries as she kicks her brother in the shin. “He stole my dolly!” The boy drops the doll and clutches his wounded leg, and the little girl runs off, hugging her doll in her arms.
This scene is an example of what may happen in the average household with small children. The little girl desperately wants to rescue her doll from the big, bad brother and take the doll safely with her to her room.
In some ways, God is the same.
Satan held us in his grasp. He was ready to take us down with him to hell, and he wasn’t about to let go. Then God, in His love, sent Jesus into this world – and Jesus did more than just kick the devil in the shin. He crushed his head. By dying and rising again, Jesus defeated the devil and bought us back. He left Satan licking his wounds and went back to heaven in order to prepare a place for us. Because of Christ’s great sacrifice, “whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (Romans 14:8) We are God’s now. He has prepared a place for us in His eternal, glorious room – heaven. He will soon scoop us up, cradle us in His loving arms, and take us to live in heaven with Him for eternity.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: How has God shown you that you belong to Him in your life? Why did God send Jesus into the world? When will God come to take us to heaven?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: Thank God for what He has done for you in your life. Ask Him to continue to be with you and to comfort you, no matter what you’re going through. Ask Him to use you to spread the good news of salvation and belonging to everyone you meet.