Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

26 July 2025

Reading From Acts 27:1-26

“But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run agroundon some island.”—Acts 27:22-26

This prophecy given through Paul to his fellow travelers was extraordinarily detailed and what made it even more amazing was that it all came true just as he said. We are reminded from this passage not to fear and to keep up our courage and the reason we may have courage is because if God be for us, who can be against us? Perfect love casts out all fear and God is love. He will faithfully preserve us according to His promises.

That is part of what is so wonderful that we belong to God, just as Paul did. This is my favorite phrase here, “the God to whom I belong and whom I serve.” Every born again follower of Jesus is part of the eternal family of the Living God. We belong to Him and to one another. Nothing can separate us from His love and His Spirit, dwelling within each of our hearts, binds us all together; He seals us together as One for all eternity. Praise the Lord!

“God, I thank You for Your loving kindness. You truly are a good, good Father. I love bringing to You and to Your family. In Your embrace I experience the most profound sense of belonging that a human being has the ability to experience. I’m thankful we have each other. Amen.”

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.—Ephesians 4:2-6