Verse of the Day 3/17

Exodus 19:5  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;    English Standard Version (ESV)

Today's verse is listed in my study Bible as the key verse in the book of Exodus.  Moses was directed to give this message to the people of Israel that they are to obey God, go where He leads and that they would be His "treasured" possession.

The Bible is full of examples of God call upon His people,  both individuals and nations to follow Him.  The Bible is also full of examples of those who did not drop everything and follow God immediately.  There were reluctant prophets like Jonah, there were those that asked for signs like Gideon and those who doubted their own ability like Moses.  But time after time, God uses flawed individuals to accomplish His purposes.

I've been reading in Exodus recently and today's reading ended with the following complaint to God from Moses:

Exodus 5:22-23 Then Moses turned to the Lord and said, "O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? ²³ For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all."  English Standard Version (ESV)

Does that sound  like us when things aren't going well, why have you done this, why have you brought me here and "you have not delivered me at all"?  The Bible is full of examples of people who are honest about their feelings to God.  It's amazing, sometimes, to think that God didn't just strike them down.  But He has a plan.

A generation ago there was a radio personality, Paul Harvey who had a radio program famous for his catch line "now you know the rest of the story".  That is how it is with God and His work.  Moses, Gideon, the disciples and others didn't always  understand why things happened as they did.  But God always came through to teach them and us about "the rest of the story".  God went on to use Moses and Aaron to deliver His people, to do the miracles before Pharaoh,  to pass over the homes of the Israelites and deliver them from Egypt by parting the Red Sea.

As we head toward Easter may we listen for His call, may we obey His voice, His call in our lives and be His treasured possession as we remember how God has delivered us by sending Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world".

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Exodus 19:5-6The Message (MSG)

^3-6 As Moses went up to meet God, God called down to him from the mountain: "Speak to the House of Jacob, tell the People of Israel: 'You have seen what I did to Egypt and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to me. If you will listen obediently to what I say and keep my covenant, out of all peoples you'll be my special treasure. The whole Earth is mine to choose from, but you're special: a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.'

"This is what I want you to tell the People of Israel."