Distinct

As we continue on with our isolation - and now it has been codified a bit more with a “Stay at home” order from Governor DeWine yesterday. It has me thinking about a good deal of things. But what I want to consider right now is something about who we are. As we face uncertain times, and everyone is going through this, as the people of God, what is it that makes us distinct?

When you think about the American people throughout history you think of resilience. You think about the whole grand American experiment - the melting pot. I think about how advanced we have become in technology. I think about my great grandmother who saw from the first car and first flight to the space shuttle in her lifetime. We have so much understanding of the way the physical world works. But this one is being tested right now by a microscopic virus that has wreaked havoc on much of the world’s economy and psyche as it is causing fear and anxiety to run rampant.

Those things above are really true of so many - but what is it about God’s people that sets them apart? How is it that God’s people are distinct?

Exodus 33:

14 And [the LORD] said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 And [Moses] said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. 16 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?” 

Moses pleaded with the Lord that His presence would continue to go with the people. Moses knew that was what set the people of Israel apart from all others.

[On a contextual note: this pleading came after the horrific golden calf incident. Moses had been delayed on the mountain (40 days) and the people clamored for Aaron to make them gods to worship. Aaron instructed the people to take off their gold and bring it all to him. And he fashioned an idol in the shape of a calf. Then he made a proclamation: Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD (32:5). The audacity to proclaim that the calf he had just made was Yahweh - was the God who brought them out of the land of Egypt. It is easy to see why the Lord called them a “stiff-necked people.”]

Moses understood that context, but he also knew that without the presence of the Lord going with them all - going on was not an option. And by Moses’ intercession, his mediation, the Lord promised His presence. Here is a beautiful aspect to this story: Moses prefigured the intercession and work of Christ on behalf of His people. We could spend much time looking at this, but back to the focus of the presence of God with His people - with those He has redeemed from slavery. God’s presence is with his people - and today that is not an ethnic group, but those who are called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). God is with the church.

It makes me think of one of the last interactions Jesus had with his disciples.

17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:17-20)

The promise of His presence. That is what makes us distinct. God is with us. He will never leave or forsake His people (Hebrews 13:5). And His presence is empowering. In this time - we (the church) has a tremendous opportunity to be a witness to the power and presence of God.

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Let us rest in His presence, and live as people who know this promise. May we be witnesses to His greatness and glory to all around us, especially in these times of great uncertainty. One thing is certain - those who know the Lord will be with him for all eternity.

This song may not be a perfect fit to all that I have written, but it is a beautiful song about our ability to rest in God’s work and his presence with us.