The Message Translatin (MSG)
Verse 9 & 10 from the New Living Translation (NLT)
Verse 10 "He threw His arms around [you]" from The Message Translation (MSG)

Italics by author.

Note from author: I know it says "the people of Israel" or "His people." But I am "His people"; you are "His people." We have been grafted into the olive tree or 'Abraham's tree' (Rom 11:17). That's why Rom 14:8 says, "we belong to the Lord."

We are the spiritual sons and daughters of Abraham, and these promises and blessings apply to us as well. "And all the promises of God have become 'yes' in Christ!" (2 Cor 1:20)

That's why I sing, "You belong to the Lord," and in verse two, "You belong to Me." That's God singing His promises to you.

I don't take these decisions lightly, by the way, but always under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Before I knew God, I used to struggle with 'belonging.' As long as I can remember, I felt like I didn't belong in this world. This world was not my home, like I was dropped on the wrong planet.

Partly because of that, I fell into a deep depression for over 20 years. I lived a suicidal lifestyle and tried to fill the hole in my soul with the usual suspects.

After my encounter with God, Papa, one of the first profound experiences I had was a deep sense of belonging. I had found my home, not here on earth, but with God. I can't tell you how that healed me. I was finally home.

Almost from day one, I started talking with God, and He taught me how to live. Not just survive, but live—REALLY live.

He showered me with scriptures. One of the first scriptures He gave me was Deut 32:9-14, where I read, "You belong to the Lord."

Yes, I know it says "the people of Israel" or "His people." But I am "His people"; you are "His people." We have been grafted into the olive tree or 'Abraham's tree' (Rom 11:17). That's why Rom 14:8 says, "we belong to the Lord."

We are the spiritual sons and daughters of Abraham, and these promises and blessings apply to us as well. "And all the promises of God have become 'yes' in Christ!" (2 Cor 1:20)

That's why I sing, "You belong to the Lord," and in verse two, "You belong to Me." That's God singing His promises to you.

I don't take these decisions lightly, by the way, but always under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

So this is how He sung it to me: "I found you in a desert land, in an empty howling wasteland. Like an eagle, I lifted you high into the air and taught you to fly again. I'm feeding you honey from the Rock."

He sang it to me first; now I'm singing it to you. Or better yet, HE's singing it to you! (Zeph 3:17).

I pray you start reading the Bible, including the Old Testament, as a collection of personal love letters. Believe it or not, but He had you in mind when He said this. You belong to Him. ❤️