..to continue...is when we are in covenant with God that He calls us 'His'.
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be mine own possession from among all peoples: for all the earth is mine: (Ex. 19:5, ASV)
And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of [u]my people[/u] which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; (Ex. 3:7, KJV)And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. (Lev. 26:12, KJV)And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.(Jer. 24:7, KJV)
_________________Ron Bailey