15. So that we are distinct

Exodus 33:14  And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?”

Numbers 14:14    They have heard that you, O LORD, are in the midst of this people.

Exodus 19:5-6    Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine;  and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’

Deuteronomy 4:7    For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?

1 Kings 8:53     For you separated them from among all the peoples of the earth to be your heritage,

2Corinthians 6:16  What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,  and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

Proverbs 9:6     Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”

Acts 2:40    And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”

My presence will go with you, so that we are distinct, treasured possession, separate, speak of the difference in the lives of those who live for God. 

His presence will be with them; “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”, “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love”, “By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.”

His people will be distinct;  “I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.” “declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” “ that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.”

6. Pay careful attention to him and obey his voice

Exodus 23:20   “Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. Pay careful attention to him and obey his voice; do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression, for my name is in him.  “But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.

Malachi 3:1    “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.

Isaiah 63:9    In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Psalms 91:11     For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

Numbers 20:16    And when we cried to the LORD, he heard our voice and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt.

Exodus 33:14    And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Hebrews 12:25    See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.

Hebrews 3:10     Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’

“Pay careful attention to him and obey his voice” – “They always go astray in their heart” – “They refused him who warned them” – “if we reject him who warns from heaven” – “they did not escape when they refused”   These verses indicate the natural intent of man’s heart.  They are given to make us aware of this intent and not to yield to it.

“I will send an angel to guard you” – “Bring you to the place I have prepared” – “he will prepare the way” – “he redeemed” – “Lifted them up” – “carried them” – “guard you in all your ways” – “heard our voice” – “Brought us out” – My presence will go with you” – “I will give you rest”  These verses are what is being rejected.  They are the promises of God and examples of what to be mindful of in ruction found in the natural intent of the heart of man.

Being mindful of these intents of the heart should drive us to our knees with humble confession.  These examples should make us aware of how the world follows this intent.  They should draw us to His word each day to keep the light of His holiness, power, strength, might, and love in our heart so that we are not led astray by the way of the culture we live in.  Being complacent and neglectful of His word leaves us powerless, blind, and deaf to His leading and guidance.

Dedicate your whole heart, mind, and soul toiIntentionally commit to humbly serving, honoring, glorifying, worshiping, following, and obeying Him.  Read His word each day with the intent of being fed, led, and being filled with the love of God.