“… Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” Exodus 19:5-6 (NIV)
Does God’s Covenant Glow in the Dark?
I think a lot of people automatically assume that Israel spiritually glows in the dark and levitates on a higher spiritual plane than other countries. Yes, it is a favored and holy nation. However, when I read those verses the other day I realized that God wants us (yes, all of us) to OBEY HIM AND KEEP HIS COVENANT. Does God’s covenant glow in the dark like lime green neon?
Recurring Big Idea Themes in the Bible that Jump off the Page:
I’m not going to name specific verses because these themes are polka-dotted all through the 66 books of the Bible.
- Do not be afraid. (This is repeated over and over throughout the Bible by angels when they come to deliver messages to mere mortals and by Jesus).
- Make God #1. Hello?! Look at the commandments and what happens to people who don’t make God el numero uno. Talk about Epic Fail. Think of Ananias and Sapphira being struck dead- KABOOM!
- Rest. Honor God by getting enough sleep, food, and water to nourish and take care of our bodies.
- God has paved the way. Look forward, follow God, and don’t look back. Do the footwork and keep going. Lot’s wife looked back and she turned into salt (literally). Figuratively, looking back means that you’re dwelling on the past and unable to move forward.
Funny how God was so close and evident in the Israelites’ lives— he hovered around them in the form of a CLOUD. He parted the Red Sea to escape hundreds of years of enslavement in Egypt. And they still whined.
He sent them manna for room service. He talked to Moses, Abraham, and others in an AUDIBLE voice. (I imagine it to sound like James Earl Jones booming over a grocery store intercom. “Manna! Clean up on aisle 777!”).
Spiritual Leadership
And yet the Israelites would still disobey, complain, and grumble. I guess that’s part of human nature. In terms of Christian leadership, an attitude of gratitude, a moment at a time attitude adjustment, and conscious contact with God helps pave the way for a clearer, courageous path to the Promised Land.
God has not forgotten or forsaken you. Open your eyes. Listen to the sounds in between the quiet. God is a covenant keeping God. He’s always there.