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We have just come through the momentous commemoration of Passover, Night to be Much Observed, and the Days of Unleavened Bread. It was a huge week and a wonderful time of noting all that was done for the Israelites many years ago at the hands of Pharaoh, a type with the mindset of Satan the Devil. Thousands upon thousands of Hebrew slaves at the hands of the Egyptians miraculously walked through the Red Sea on dry ground with Moses leading them. The Exodus really happened despite what modern day pagans and the deceived say. Believing God and His Word, knowing that every word of the Bible in its original form is inspired and God breathed, is truly remarkable and very comforting at the same time, as it is written for us in 2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work". Those with His Truth embrace it fully and are ready to go on through living our lives in service to Him as we traverse our wilderness while keeping to the right path known as The Way. Coming out of Egypt was a monumental event and we certainly remember the time when we came out of the world as God rescued us from the bondage and captivity of our wicked slave master known as the enemy, the adversary, the devil, satan, the fallen angel who was once Lucifer (Ezekial 28:11-19 and Isaiah 14:12-17).
Counting 50 days until Pentecost — this year 28 May 2023 — it is becoming more and more evident that we are very different from the rest of the world. This is because we know we are strengthened through growth in our relationship with God as we love Him and keep His commandments (John 14:15). Then there is the matter of coming out of the world more and more despite having to live in it as those not called yet make very different choices from us (2 Corinthians 6:16-18). The contrast is vivid and becoming more so due to the oppressively heavy darkness all around as perversions increasingly multiply and reach new depths of sick depravity. Throughout the entirety of the Holy Bible God's people are told and reminded that we are different, peculiar, holy because God is Holy (Leviticus 20:26). Several supporting and meaningful scriptures to read and review are in Deuteronomy 14:2, Isaiah 9:2, Exodus 19:5-6, and 1 Peter 2:9. If ever there was a time to know that we are different from the rest of the world it has been through participating in Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread. Having and ingesting the Unleavened Bread of Sincerity and Truth for 7 days reinforced this and for me it was even more profound, richly full, and complete than previously. Have you noticed this too, that you are more connected to God than ever before? This may well be because we know the time is short and we are anticipating more to come that can only have its origin in the father of lies as it is written in John 8:44, and he is the god of this age as stated in 2 Corinthians 4:4.
If we were called peculiar as children it would definitely have been unwanted and hurtful but in the sense that the word is used here it is most welcome as we do not want to be like the rest of the world doing whatever is right in their own eyes (Deuteronomy 12:8, Judges 17:6). Far from it, we endeavour to get as far away from this as possible while we look to God for His will over our own, each and every day of the week. Oh the joy in being associated with being like GOD the Father and Jesus Christ His Son is incredible and an honour to strive to give them the glory from the way we live now with the aid of God's Holy Spirit. Nurturing His Spirit is important therefore we must not let our own will interfere by blocking God's will, for we do not ever want to have God's Spirit quenched. We must continue to make every decision count by getting out of the way for we do know that we battle the world, the devil, and our carnal human nature in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-13). Therefore we listen carefully and pay attention in all those quiet moments when we need to stand still despite our busy lives and counteract all those pesky distractions that our enemy diabolically delights in throwing right in front of us. Being different, peculiar, holy, and strange to the world, is the best position to be in as we are following in the footsteps of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Reading through Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy and Joshua this year, there were many instances where meditative thoughts gave potential insights into decisions made by those Godly servants of old such as Moses, Aaron, Miriam, Joshua, Caleb, Rahab (the Harlot), Gibeon and Deborah. Did they all feel peculiar, different, set apart to be a special people, holy, to serve God without fear of what man can do to them? Conversely, they all had healthy fear and awe of God despite being imperfect just like us, and for this they are known as the faithful people of God. Even though they made mistakes and suffered the consequences of their choices, we look to their examples with great interest. It should never be underestimated that their accounts are valuable for our learning and we do well to remember their journey out of slavery. Moses did not get to enter the Promised Land even after all the stressful times he endured at the hands of a bitter, jealous, and complaining people, Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu died, Miriam suffered with leprosy, and Joshua forgot to consult God on the matter of the inhabitants of Gibeon in Joshua chapter 9. Any one of us can let our guard down through inattention and allowing carnal human nature to rear its ugly head in order to be guilty of making decisions based only on physical eyesight rather than rightfully discerning and consulting God.
As we diligently prepare for Pentecost we need to keep in mind all that God has done for us in order to continue to grow in faith pleasing our Father by giving grateful thanks as it is written in 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Meanwhile we have much to study and meditate upon for we have been set aside for a special purpose and we really need to take this seriously and not waste even a precious moment. Be sure to listen to the sermon below from the link provided, especially taking notice from the 40 minute mark. As the speaker reminds us, don't fall into the ditch of only seeing the Promised Land because we have the Truth, but more importantly, be overcomers so that we will enter into God's Promised Land, the Kingdom of God. It is up to each individual as well as being part of a tight, cohesive group, a united front as the body of Christ against the wicked evil out there that drenches, permeates and saturates the world in all its systems. May God's holy yet peculiar people have a very fruitful countdown to Pentecost, which is now only 30 days away. https://www.ucg.org/sermons/a-different-take-on-the-exodus