17 February - You Belong To God
“Paul, Silas and Timothy: To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.”
1 Thessalonians 1:1
Written by the Apostle Paul, and on behalf of his missionary assistants Silas and Timothy, the opening verse of 1 Thessalonians 1:1 gives us hope in the midst of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. This epistle was written to encourage the brethren to stay firm. Despite adversities, persecution and rejection, Paul reminded the Thessalonian Christians that they had an immensely powerful and invisible ally supporting, sustaining and safeguarding them, and this invincible ally was none other than ‘God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ’ (v.1). Men may reject them, but not God!
Paul helped them to understand that their spiritual status is now ‘in’ God (NIV) and that they ‘belong to God’ (NLT) through Jesus (v.1). This knowledge is significant. Those who belong to God are loved by God. They are precious in his sight for they are his chosen people. They are given his promised goodness, grace and mercy. Their lives, livelihood and future are in the mighty hands of their God and he looks after what is his!
To belong to God however does not mean that they will not undergo troubles, tribulations and trials. Paul who was personally called by God to Macedonia, had, himself, to face many afflictions, agonies and adversities (2 Corinthians 11:24-27). However, in the midst of all these trials, troubles, tribulations and even death, the Lord God stays with his chosen ones and walks us through the fire, the flood and the plagues. We are his. He has adopted us as his children and has saved us though the precious blood of Christ at Calvary. He gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit that we may call God, “Abba Father.” He promised us that he will never leave nor forsake us; nor will he ever issue us a “get-out clause” for we belong to him eternally.
The knowledge that we always belong to God is comforting. Through this knowledge of belonging, we will experience his ‘grace and peace’ (v.1); even as we are surrounded by many anxieties and an unwelcomed pandemic.
PONDER
As we begin Lent, let us reflect on the goodness and mercy of God, and our response to him. While God has taken great trouble, sacrifices and loving efforts to receive you as his own, how have you responded to him in this season of your life? Are you eternally grateful to him or are you taking your Lord for granted? Are you truly worshipping him daily? Is there an awareness in you that the Lord is present in your home and wanting to hear your concerns of the day? Are you listening to him through his Scripture, the daily Word of God or are you doing your own thing without even chatting with him in prayer?
PROMISE
“I will see the goodness of God in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord.” (Psalm 27:13-14)
PRAYER
“Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.” (Collect for Ash Wednesday)
Article by the Venerable Eddie Ong, Vicar-General of the Diocese (November 2020 to January 2021) and Archdeacon of the Upper Central Archdeaconry. Eddie is also the Vicar of St Gabriel’s Church, Kuala Lumpur since 2010.