A Treasured People

Today the Lord has obtained your agreement: to be his treasured people, as he promised you, and to keep his commandments; for him to set you high above all nations that he has made, in praise and in fame and in honor; and for you to be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised. Deuteronomy 26: 18-19 NRSV

God wants to have a treasured people, a people that God sets above everyone else, a people to whom God gives fame and honor, a people who receive praise because of what God has done, a people that are set apart, holy to God.  

However, this gift of being a treasured people is not free. God asks for a commitment. This is in the form of a covenant. You agree to do these things and God agrees to do these other things. It should be a mutual bargain, rather than an exchange. In fact, God does two things - goes ahead and lets the people into the promised land and at the same time realizes that the people are not going to fulfill their part of the covenant. God wants them to follow his instructions. God wants them to be a treasured people. But God fully expects them to fail. 

God wants us to be God's treasured people. What rules do you think God expects us to fulfill? How accountable have you and I been with what God asks of us? Can you see the consequences of failure? 

God, forgive us when we let you down. We want so badly to live up to the honor and holiness that you have planned for us. We want you to be our Treasured God! In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 


Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims