The Psalmist writes “Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Such an amazing verse, full of deep and powerful concepts.
God has made us. Just like any earthly artist, God’s creations belong to Him. But we don’t just belong to God like an inanimate piece of pottery. God provides for our every need, in the same way that a shepherd devotes his life to keeping his sheep safe and healthy, providing the best possible conditions for his sheep.
So we belong to God, He provides for our needs. But He goes even further than that shepherd or that artist. “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” God loves us, a strong enduring love that is faithful across countless generations. The only reasonable response is to do as the Psalmist writes, and “Serve the Lord with gladness!”