Blessed to be a blessing

Then Moses went up the mountain to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain: “This is what you must say to the house of Jacob and explain to the Israelites: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you will carefully listen to me and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples, although the whole earth is mine, and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites. Exodus 19:3-6

God is calling individuals to become members of His kingdom. God did not just deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt so that they could enter and enjoy a land flowing with milk and honey called the “Promised Land.” He freed them from Egyptian bondage so they could come to know and worship Him. From our text, three months after they left Egypt, God reminded His people why He had delivered them “on eagles’ wings.” It was to bring the people to Himself. That is, God saved them so that they could enjoy intimate fellowship with Him. While in Egypt, the Israelites had been slaves with no freedom to worship God. Now, having their own land, they could come to know and serve God freely. God’s call was not to destroy the idolatrous nations in Canaan so the Israelites can settle the lands they conquered. Rather, God called them primarily to be a people who loved and worshiped Him and, in the process, fulfill what God told Abraham. “I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2). Through God’s act of deliverance, they came to know Him as the Almighty and compassionate God, and they were now free to respond to Him. When God saved us from the bondage of sin, He expects that our life will change. Included in this change is the experience of having peace, joy and new purpose. Then the transformation continues where we start to overcome selfishness and realize that we are called to be a blessing to others. We find that as we start to live each day and discover truths in His Word, we become inspired to live the Christian life on a daily basis. In short, we become an expression of God’s presence, that God is real, and that we are called upon to celebrate Him through worship and give Him the glory He deserves. “Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen” (Jude 1:24-25).

Blessings,

Noel De Guzman

www.my-wbc.com