Today's reading is from Deuteronomy chapter 7. I read the whole chapter and God is speaking to his people warning them from idol worship, charging them to love God and much as God loves them. And in the middle are these verses.
7-10 God wasn’t attracted to you and didn’t choose you because you were big and important—the fact is, there was almost nothing to you. He did it out of sheer love, keeping the promise he made to your ancestors. God stepped in and mightily bought you back out of that world of slavery, freed you from the iron grip of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know this:God, your God, is God indeed, a God you can depend upon. He keeps his covenant of loyal love with those who love him and observe his commandments for a thousand generations. But he also pays back those who hate him, pays them the wages of death; he isn’t slow to pay them off—those who hate him, he pays right on time.
Lent is a time to remember that I'm not special. Yes we are made in the image of God but so is every other man, woman and child. Yet in ways I cannot comprehend, God chose me. God worked through a small insignificant minority of people. Carefully shepherding them as a symbol and sign for how we will spiritually shepherd all people once Jesus came and destroyed all barriers.
Jesus died and according to scripture "the fact is there was almost nothing to you"
My cool social media day job? Nothing
My special gig as a pastor? Nothing
My general level of awesomeness? Nothing
Everything I bring to the table amounts to almost nothing. Not because I am so terrible but because God is so much more and bigger. A time of fasting and prayer helps drive home this reality. Not to make me feel like a wretch, but to help me see just how big and awesome God is and just how huge the gift of his Son is.
God stepped up mightily and brought me out of slavery and freed me from the grip of Pharaoh.
We all have a Pharaoh in our lives. Something that keeps us limited. Something that takes our creative hearts and sets it to simply making bricks. Your individual Pharaoh is the voice who says now when you want to leave the routine for the chance to find the Promised Land. Your Pharaoh is the voice that says NO when God wants to show you his loyal love.
Dear Lord, today help me to listen to your voice, not the voice of Pharaoh. Help me to depend on you and not the safety and comfort of slavery. Thank you for your most awesome and excellent love. Thank you for looking on me and choosing to love me and giving your Son so I can love you back. Amen
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