Why is it important to feel like we belong somewhere or to someone? - Belonging - TouchPoints

Deuteronomy 33:27The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. He drives out the enemy before you; he cries out, “Destroy them!”

Note the three benefits in this verse related to belonging to God:

• He provides protection (“refuge”).

• He provides support (“under you”).

• He actively defends (“drives out the enemy”).

Twice we are reminded that these benefits are permanent (“eternal” and “everlasting”). We live in rebellion against God when we seek to find these benefits in any other being, system, or idol. Acknowledging God as God leads to a life of purpose and direction.

Psalm 73:23-24I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.

When we voice to God our awareness of his ownership, we are also reminding ourselves who is really in charge. The sense of security described in these verses flows not only from the intimacy of belonging and having our hand held but also from hearing God’s instructions from his Word (“counsel”) and rejoicing in the ultimate direction and destination of our lives. Make these phrases a starting point for prayer as you seek a greater awareness of God’s involvement in your life.

Romans 1:6You are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.

Paul’s most substantive letter was written to a church made up of both Jews and Gentiles. In the early decades of Christianity, there were tensions over what would be required of Gentiles to be considered followers of Jesus. Throughout his Epistle to the Romans, Paul confronted both Jews and Gentiles with the biblical truth that God has always considered all humanity to be candidates for inclusion in his family. Ethnic and cultural identities were never meant to determine who could and could not be God’s children.