A Distinguished People!

What is your most treasured possession? How do you care for it? Where do you keep it? Do you like to show if off to others? Perhaps it is something you bought with your own hard earned money? Maybe it is something that was given to you by a special person or awarded to you for special recognition.

When God sent the plagues on Egypt, the Scriptures specifically note with several of them how He made a clear distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites by excluding His people from exposure to them. (note Exodus 8:22; 9:4 & 26; 10:23; 11:7) Then as the nation of Israel gathered in the wilderness near the mountains of Sinai, God wanted Moses to convey to the people the SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP He desired to have with them. However, there was still the need for them to remain faithful to Him in that relationship.

We read…
“(5) Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be MY TREASURED POSSESSION among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; (6) and you shall be to me A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS and A HOLY NATION. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” ( Exodus 19:5-6 ESV)

To be viewed by God in such a SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP as His “treasured possession”! What an honor! What a privilege! And to also be viewed as a “kingdom of priests” and a “holy nation”! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have such a distinction ourselves? Wouldn’t it thrill us to know that we were in a SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP with God? Wouldn’t such a reality compel us to always seek to remain faithful to that relationship? Well, as Christians we do have such a distinction! Though all the earth in reality belongs to God because He is the Creator and sustainer of it, there is a SPECIAL BOND with those who rightfully acknowledge Him.

Peter -- in writing to Christians during the first century of the church -- after referring to those who stumbled through disobedience he stated…

“(9) But you are a CHOSEN RACE, a ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, a HOLY NATION, a people for HIS OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (10) Once you were not a people, but now YOU ARE GOD’S PEOPLE; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” ( 1 Peter 2:9-10 ESV)

Because of our relationship to God through Christ we have been brought into a very SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP! We are a possession God treasures! We are a people God has distinguished as a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” and acknowledged as His people! Can it get any more special than that? This appears to be the relationship God has always desired and continues to desire to have with those who are willing to wholly and faithfully acknowledge Him as their God. As His “treasured possession” we can therefore trust Him to take good care of us!

Have a great day APPRECIATING THE SPECIAL BLESSING OF BEING GOD’S!
Carl

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