PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• Usually, when I read Exodus and the Pharaoh’s resistance to Moses’ demand, “Let my people go,” I’m overwhelmed by the sheer stubbornness and arrogance of such a man. To be that pig-headed is beyond me. The 10 plagues the Egyptians endured are horrific to me. The flies and locusts freak me out the most. Ugh!!!
But this morning, something else caught my eye. In between the gnats and the flies, God said, “But on that day I will give special treatment to the land of Goshen, where my people are living; no flies will be there. This way you will know that I, the Lord, am in the land. I will make a distinction between my people and your people” (Exodus 8:22-23a CSB).
Besides the fact that I would have made a beeline for Goshen, I find great comfort in these words, “I will make a distinction between my people and your people.”
The same holds true today. Even now, as Sons and Daughters of the King, we are distinctly different from the world. Our gift of salvation separates us and sets us apart. While God was speaking of His chosen people the Israelites, those of us who would be considered Gentiles have been grafted onto the family tree of God (Romans 11:11-24). We share in the inheritance of Salvation (Ephesians 1:11)! We have been sealed and protected (Ephesians 1:13)!
Now, with that said, while God has made a distinction between us and the world, we have own responsibilities to address. Jesus said in John 15:19 CSB, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.” And in Romans 12:2 CSB, we are reminded, “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
Because of that distinction, we have to constantly remind ourselves that we are in the world, not of it. We should be living according to God’s expectations and not according to what mankind says is okay. We have to be the light and let Christ shine through us. And in these ways—following God’s will and being the hands and feet of Jesus—the world will notice… “they are different.” And in noticing, others may want to know Jesus too.
As the saying goes, “Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.” Let your life speak differently and live a life of gratitude for what God has done for you.
Today, as you pray, thank God for the distinction of being His redeemed child, set apart from the world. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live differently so that others will want to know why, and ultimately want to know Jesus.
