Two characteristics - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, Do not be afraid, Paul.
Acts 27:23–24

Two characteristics
On his stormy journey to Italy, Paul tells his fellow travellers how an angel encouraged him. In doing so, he mentions two characteristics of his relationship of faith with the living God:

1. He belonged to God. Paul knew that he had been bought with the precious blood of the Saviour. Jesus Christ had redeemed him and brought him to God. Now he was the secure and lasting property of God. Whatever men did to him, no one could snatch him from the hand of the Father and the Son.

This characteristic applies to all who believe in the Lord Jesus. They are an absolutely secure possession of the living God. This does not depend on their behaviour but is an eternal result of the work that the Saviour accomplished for them on the cross.

2. He served God. Since his conversion, Paul no longer pursued his own goals. He didn’t put himself at the service of society, using his strength for political or social projects. He wanted to obey and serve his Lord who had redeemed him. That was now his motto in life.

This characteristic should mark all the redeemed. They have been saved so that they might no longer live for themselves but make themselves available to God and serve Him. This does not happen out of compulsion but springs from a decision of the heart.

Today’s reading: Job 36:22-37:4 · Acts 17:10-21