While God wants us to fly—to soar like eagles—often the process is a challenge for us as we seek comfort, much like eaglets seek their nest. Why? Our maturity impacts our identity. When we trust God, spread our wings, and fly, we have matured, coming to know not only who we are but also who God called and created us to be.
As we study the Exodus, we see three important points God made to the Israelites, revealing their God-given identity—and ours as well. In Exodus 19:5, God said, “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,” revealing that God had chosen Israel to be His treasured possession. Yet the promise doesn’t stop there. In Galatians 3:29, we read, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
We, too, as believers, are His treasured possession. Like the Israelites, He didn’t choose us because of our pedigree, history, or accomplishments; He chose us out of His amazing love and grace.
In Exodus 19:6a, God tells the Israelites, “… you will be for me a kingdom of priests…” Later, we see God appoint Aaron and his sons to serve as high priests, but what we often miss is the point made here—God’s intent was that all Israel would serve as priests, revealing His truth and glory to the world. In 1 Peter 2:9, we find we have the same promise: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Every believer is called to ministry to reveal God’s glory to the world.
Finally, in Exodus 19:6b, God says, “…You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Holy doesn’t mean perfect. Holy means set apart for God. It means that as Christ followers, we are to be set apart on purpose so the world can find God through us! Let’s take a moment and ask God to help us fully comprehend our true identity in Him—as His treasured possession, as His royal priesthood, as His holy nation.
As we study the Exodus, we see three important points God made to the Israelites, revealing their God-given identity—and ours as well. In Exodus 19:5, God said, “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,” revealing that God had chosen Israel to be His treasured possession. Yet the promise doesn’t stop there. In Galatians 3:29, we read, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
We, too, as believers, are His treasured possession. Like the Israelites, He didn’t choose us because of our pedigree, history, or accomplishments; He chose us out of His amazing love and grace.
In Exodus 19:6a, God tells the Israelites, “… you will be for me a kingdom of priests…” Later, we see God appoint Aaron and his sons to serve as high priests, but what we often miss is the point made here—God’s intent was that all Israel would serve as priests, revealing His truth and glory to the world. In 1 Peter 2:9, we find we have the same promise: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Every believer is called to ministry to reveal God’s glory to the world.
Finally, in Exodus 19:6b, God says, “…You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Holy doesn’t mean perfect. Holy means set apart for God. It means that as Christ followers, we are to be set apart on purpose so the world can find God through us! Let’s take a moment and ask God to help us fully comprehend our true identity in Him—as His treasured possession, as His royal priesthood, as His holy nation.