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There are four things implied in this.

1. A comfortable view of God's special interest in him. Whoever others belonged to, he belonged to God.

2. A recognising God's special interest in him. He had said it at his first accepting of the covenant, "I am the Lord's"; and he did not repent the bargain, but repeated it, "I am His."

3. An open profession of his special relation to God. He was not ashamed of his proprietor, but he gloried in Him.

4. A rejoicing in it, particularly in this season of distress. The waves threaten us with death; but this is my happiness, I am the Lord's, in whose hands all these are. From this subject I deduce that it is the duty and interest of those who have truly given themselves away to the Lord, to look on themselves as His. I shall —

I. CONFIRM THE DOCTRINE. This is evident if you consider —

1. The laudable practice of the saints. They go over the bargain again, hold by it, and look upon themselves as the Lord's (Psalm 116:16; Psalm 119:94; Song of Solomon 2:16).

2. The Spirit of God instructs them so to do (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20).

3. The Lord looks on such to be His by a special relation (John 17:9, 10; Jeremiah 3:4).

4. The nature of the thing requires it, for they are His indeed (2 Corinthians 8:5).

II. SHOW IN WHAT RESPECTS THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEMSELVES AWAY TO THE LORD ARE TO LOOK UPON THEMSELVES AS HIS.

1. In opposition to all His competitors (Isaiah 26:13; Psalm 45:10).

(1) Ye are not your own, and you must no more look on yourselves to be your own (1 Corinthians 6:19).

(2) You must no more look on yourselves as the devil's (Matthew 6:24).

(3) You are to look on yourselves as no more belonging to the world lying in wickedness (John 15:19; Romans 12:2).

(4) Ye are no more for your lusts and idols, but for the Lord (Romans 6:16; Galatians 5:24).

(5) But remember you must be as obedient children (1 Peter 1:14).

2. Universally, without exception or reserve in anything.

(1) Look then on your bodies as His, to be temples for His Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19; Romans 6:13). You are to use your tongues in speaking for Him, your hands in acting for Him, your feet in going His errands. To abuse the body by intemperance, uncleanness, and the like, is to defile the temple of God. To exhaust the body in worldly labour, so as to unfit it for bearing its part in the service of God, is sacrilege.

(2) Look upon your soul also as His, and all its faculties. Your heart (Proverbs 22:26), your will (Acts 9:6), your conscience, your every thought (2 Corinthians 10:5).

(3) You must consider your worldly comforts and enjoyments as His (Luke 14:26). Your life, your liberty, honour, wealth, reputation, all is the Lord's, to be used for His honour and willingly parted with at His call.

(4) Your gifts and opportunities for serving God are also His (Luke 19:13).

(5) Your time is His (Ephesians 5:16).

3. For evermore, not merely for a time (Psalm 72:23, 26). You must then be His —

(1) Without interruption (Deuteronomy 5:29).

(2) Without apostasy and defection (Psalm 119:12). And therefore your heart must rest in Him as an object which is completely satisfying (Psalm 73:25). Resolve, then, that nothing shall part betwixt the Lord and you; that you will neither be boasted nor bribed away from Him.

III. GIVE SOME REASONS WHY IT IS THE DUTY OF THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEMSELVES TO THE LORD THUS TO LOOK ON THEMSELVES AS HIS.

1. Because they are His, in a manner the rest of the world are not. Our Lord has a peculiar title and interest in them (John 17:9, 10). They are His —

(1) By a new creation (Isaiah 43:21; John 1:12, 13).

(2) By redemption applied to them. They are bought with a price.

(3) By covenant (Hebrews 8:10).

(4) They have dedicated themselves unto the Lord.

2. The honour of God requires it. Those who are servants to persons of high rank are usually subject to bear the badge of their master; and those who are the Lord's are in the same manner bound (Revelation 14:1).

3. Our standing to the covenant requires it (Psalm 119:94).

IV. SHOW HOW IT IS THEIR INTEREST TO LOOK ON THEMSELVES AS THE LORD'S.

1. In respect of sanctification.

(1) It will be an antidote against backsliding.

(2) It will afford an answer to every temptation (Genesis 39:9).

(3) It will be a spur to duty (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20).

(4) It will blow the coal of your zeal for God, and make you of a public spirit, to devote all you are or have to the promoting of God's honour in the world (Philippians 1:21).

(5) It will be a preparative for the hardest piece of service God may put into your hand.

(6) It will reconcile you to your lot in private trials (Psalm 47:4).

2. In respect of consolation. You may say —

(1) "God is mine" (Song of Solomon 2:16). His power is mine to defend me, His wisdom to guide me, His mercy, grace, and love, all are mine.

(2) All the promises and benefits of the covenant are mine (2 Peter 1:14; 2 Corinthians 1:20).

(3) I shall get safe through the world to the other side (John 17:12).

(4) I shall be cared and provided for in all cases and conditions.

(5) All I meet with in the world shall turn to my good (Romans 8:28).

(6) All is mine (1 Corinthians 3:21-23).

(T. Boston, D. D.)

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KJV: For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

WEB: For there stood by me this night an angel, belonging to the God whose I am and whom I serve,