God's Treasured Possession

For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the Lord has chosen you to be his treasured possession. Deuteronomy 14:2

Who are you? Today we are called to a truth, using just this verse of the chapter. God wants us to know just who we are to Him. God is Father, who calls and chooses as He sees fit. He is Creator and Father of all, yet He calls some to be the examples for others and to serve them. May we be made teachable, as we are humbled to receive all that has been bestowed upon us.

Have a look at a class which you have been given to teach. Every student in your class, regardless of who he or she is, is your student. You love all and teach all, yet you set aside one of them to be the Form Captain, with specific instructions and duties. The one reason for choosing one above the others, is for service. It is not to have that student who has been set aside for this purpose, feel superior or special, in terms of being better than, brighter than, or bigger than any other. No! It is for service. Not all can be the Form Captain at the same time. Look at this verse in the same way, so that you will see who you are to God, and who you are to others. We are viewing this word in three parts.

• You are holy to the Lord.

• You have One God.

• You are chosen to be The Lord’s treasured possession.

You are holy to the Lord

Be it known to you that to be holy to the Lord is to be set aside by Him. Just as the Form Captain has been set aside by the teacher, so too, you have been set aside by the Lord God. No one set you aside but God.

In some classes, teachers have children vote for their Form Captain, while in other classes, the teacher simply chooses whom he or she wants. In this World Class, as it were, the Lord God chooses whom He wants, Himself. It was God, Father and Creator of all, who chose the Israelites to be His holy people. It is still God who chooses people in different communities and settings for His purposes. Note, when God sets aside, it is for Himself.

You have been called and set aside, not for evil, but for good; not for wickedness, but for righteousness; not to please man, but to please God. In short, you have been set apart to the Lord and no other lords.

You have One God

You may say that you know that you have one God, for you only worship one God. Many see only the big wise open worship of those who worship false deities. You even know their names, like Shiva, Baal and such. Some of you see examples of other gods that are not as defined with statutes and images, nonetheless, they are ardently worshipped also. I am referring to the gods of money, fame and such like. But do you admit to the gods of worry, self-pity and false pride? Who are your gods? Honestly, who is, or who are your gods? Know that you have One God and He is the Lord your God, whom you worship and serve. He controls everyone and everything and to let other things hold you to ransom, is to acquiesce to them and have gods in your life. In short, you have been set apart to the Lord your God and no other gods.

You have been chosen to be God’s treasured possession.

A person’s treasured possession is that which is owned, controlled, used and kept by that person. God treasured His children and made them examples, to show the world who He is. Whether through His fierce wrath, or His abundantly flowing blessings, the Lord would show Himself to the world.

It is through you that the Lord has chosen to show others who He is. It is through you that others will see Jesus and want to be His also. It is through you that many will see the truth of peace in the midst of war; calm in the midst of roughness; joy in the midst of worry; hope in the midst of hopelessness and grace in the midst of weakness. It is through the human you, that the Spirit is seen.

If the Lord has set you apart for this work, this service, how can you be anything else but His treasured possession? In short, you have been chosen to be God’s treasured possession and no other god’s possession.

O Lord, you have made me holy to Thee. You have set me apart for a specific work. You have chosen me, a sinner, and made me Your treasured possession. Lord, what have I returned to Thee? Holy Lord, convince me of who I am in You. Let me see my idols plainly Lord. Let me not make excuses for them and be blackmailed by them. Let me admit all that have taken Your place in my heart and mind, O Lord, for it is impossible to serve You and another. Through the strength of Your Holy Spirit, let me tear down all my idols, so that my total worship and service will be to You, O Sovereign God, morning, noon and night. Amen!