Remaining His!

When it was time for the nation of Israel to be led out of bondage in Egypt, God appeared to Moses and spoke to him from the burning bush. ( Exodus 3:4) After referring to Himself as the God of Moses’ father, of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ( Exodus 3:6), we read the following inclusion.

“(7) Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of MY PEOPLE who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, (8) and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.” ( Exodus 3:7-8 ESV)

Following Moses’ attempts to excuse himself from going ( Exodus 3:11 - 4:13), he did go, the plagues revealed the great power of God, and under Moses’ leadership the journey toward the promised land began. However, it did not take long for GOD’S PEOPLE to begin to murmur and complain. ( Exodus 14:11; 15:24; 16:2; 17:3; etc.) Then the people committed the grievous sin of idolatry while Moses was on the mountain. ( Exodus 32)

Note God’s response at that point!
“(7) And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Go down, for YOUR PEOPLE, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. (8) They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’ ’” ( Exodus 32:7-8 ESV)

Did you note the shift in God’s focus between chapters 3 and 32? The nation God had referred to as “MY PEOPLE” He called at this point “YOUR PEOPLE” while speaking to Moses. How could they be called God’s people when they had turned from Him to other gods? Though Moses was encouraged that from him God could still “make a great nation” ( Exodus 32:10), Moses pled with God on behalf of those he still referred to as God’s people. ( Exodus 32:11)

How can we claim to be GOD’S PEOPLE if we are following another? How can others take us seriously if our conduct reveals we are not completely devoted to Him? Do we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength? ( Mark 12:30) Whether it be the embracing of an ideology other than God’s or simply a devotion to others or things that crowd God out of His Sovereign position in our life, it is still a form of idolatry. If God is not truly the God of our life, how can we expect Him to call us HIS PEOPLE? He knows those who are His. ( 2 Timothy 2:19) May we live in a manner that reveals it is truly so!

Have a great day GROWING IN UNDIVIDED DEVOTION TO GOD!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Faithfulness