God's People Are Comforted

Exodus‬ ‭19‬:‭1, 3-6 - In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

There is promise in those words. They speak to us today as they were spoken then. God's people were Israel. They can be seen as an example of who we are. We will all go through times of trial. We are all in captivity. Who do we look to for our strength? Doctors who are no more human than we? The government which also fails? Our families who often are just as powerless? When trouble hits we can be comforted by any of them, but we must look to someone higher for our strength. 

As God delivered His people, so God alone is our deliverer. The land of Egypt, a type of world, is where we live before we know Him. We are held captive by the world and by the world's trials. But God will deliver us from its grasp if we so choose. He may not take us out of the trouble, but He always promises to be with those who seek Him. 

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (‭1John‬ ‭2‬:‭15-17‬) 

oh yes, we definitely see the world passing away. But where God leads is good, even though we may perceive all goodness abounds in what we see and have at our fingertips. When God steps in to deliver we can see where we've been, how He brought us through and to Him. It's amazing how He does that. If we allow this to happen, He is beside us always. 

As He told Israel, He tells those who yield to Him, "If you will obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be a special treasure to Me." Few people accept this call. Few people realize the importance of who we can be in Christ. We become part of the holy nation, the Kingdom of God. We are to spread this news, despite the scoffing or rejecting. How amazing to be a special treasure by the God who created all things!

I know how difficult it is to really put knowing God in this special way into perspective. I was there once. I also know it is by God's Spirit that it must happen. And it's where trust and faith come in. Just because we cannot imagine this in our fleshly minds, it is true. It's getting beyond that human logic and believing as a little child. 

Sometimes it takes a trial, to bring us to that place. (Sometimes, though, those difficult times will work the opposite in a hardened heart.) We need to know that God only desires good for us but we must desire to put our trust and faith in Him alone. There may come a time when He's the only person to whom we can go. 

Who doesn't want to know that their final resting place is? We cannot assume we all go to heaven because that is not true. It is through trust and faith in the God who delivers. Let Him deliver you out of Egypt. See the great things He can do. We are to truly glorify God in our lives, recognize what He has done, how He has delivered us.

How long will it take for you to give your heart to the Lord? For His deliverance? To see how He works? Crossing the river from captivity to freedom? To be under His watchful, powerful wings as well as soar on top of them? You may not recognize this need. But He can surely make that change. Where He leads is good. I urge you to read all of Isaiah 40 to see who this God is. My Bible has it titled God's People Are Comforted. I pray that The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭5‬) My heart both wants to burst at these words and cry out to Him for others to recognize and know this! 

Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭1,31 - “Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” says your God. ...those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.