A Peculiar People
Exo 19:1-9 Three months after leaving Egypt the Israelites entered the Wilderness of Sinai. They followed the route from Rephidim, arrived at the Wilderness of Sinai, and set up camp. Israel camped there facing the mountain. As Moses went up to meet God, GOD called down to him from the mountain: "Speak to the House of Jacob, tell the People of Israel: 'You have seen what I did to Egypt and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to me. If you will listen obediently to what I say and keep my covenant, out of all peoples you'll be my special treasure. The whole Earth is mine to choose from, but you're special: a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.' "This is what I want you to tell the People of Israel." Moses came back and called the elders of Israel together and set before them all these words which GOD had commanded him. The people were unanimous in their response: "Everything GOD says, we will do." Moses took the people's answer back to GOD. GOD said to Moses, "Get ready. I'm about to come to you in a thick cloud so that the people can listen in and trust you completely when I speak with you." Again Moses reported the people's answer to GOD.
Many believers today have this false belief that only certain individuals are able to hear from God, like Pastors, Evangelists etc. This belief comes from the way one is taught, it is the way that many churches present Christianity. Moses himself may have felt this way, that he was special, for it was he that God called to lead the children of Israel. Moses was special but not compared to anyone else; he had his place, as well as every member of Israel. Just as his father-in-law corrected him for trying to do everything on his own, now God corrects him for not teaching Israel that they too can hear from Him. So God told Moses to give this message to Israel that they are all special, and that He is going to come to them make Himself known.
One usually does not follow someone they do not know. If someone tells me to do something from someone I don't know, I certainly will not listen. I cannot expect those God has given me to follow me, if what I tell them is not confirmation in their spirit from what God has already spoken. The greatest thing I can teach those God has given me is to hear from God for themselves, for only then will I be able to lead a people to where I believe God has destined them to go. Because this was not established from the beginning the children of Israel were full of rebellion, they lacked trust in Moses and God, and they murmured and complained. Likewise, many leaders today have difficulty fulfilling the vision God has given them, because the people don't trust them and therefore don't catch the vision God has given. Each person God has put in my life has a place in His vision being fulfilled, but I cannot expect another's obedience unless they know that for themselves.
When each person knows that they are part of the picture they will find their place. So my duty is to help each person understand that they are special, that God has called them, and separated them, and wants to use them in fulfilling His plans.
1Pe 2:9 But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you-- 1Pe 2:10 from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.
Some people's behavior can seem so uncontrollable at times, but all they are looking for is to be given attention, to be liked, to feel special, and when this is given they are the most likely to follow. A good leader is able to look beyond how one may appear to be, and see their potential, and what it will take for them to get there. The disciples were not the pick of the crop to most, they were uneducated, ignorant, prejudice, but Jesus chose them out of everyone, simply because He knew they were willing to follow. My duty is to help each of you know you are chosen by God, you have a place in His plan, and you are special. The word chosen in the Greek means picked out, selected, highly favored. God has picked you out, you have found favor with the King, and He has called you into His priestly service.
Jam 2:1-5 My dear friends, don't let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith. If a man enters your church wearing an expensive suit, and a street person wearing rags comes in right after him, and you say to the man in the suit, "Sit here, sir; this is the best seat in the house!" and either ignore the street person or say, "Better sit here in the back row," haven't you segregated God's children and proved that you are judges who can't be trusted? Listen, dear friends. Isn't it clear by now that God operates quite differently? He chose the world's down-and-out as the kingdom's first citizens, with full rights and privileges. This kingdom is promised to anyone who loves God.
Maybe we are having little results when it comes to the service of the Lord because we are using the standards of the world to judge who we do or don't reach out to. God sends us to those who are hurting; those that are truly down and out, for it is them that God wants to reveal Himself to. A good doctor is patient, they take the time to truly find out the root of why one is sick and they have the wisdom to give the right prescription. A doctor gets paid well, because they have people's lives in there hands, they work long, hard, and must be available whenever a emergency arises. God has called us as doctors to the world, we have the cure for every problem, and that is Jesus. We must be willing to lay down our life and give Christ life to whomever He has us meet, it will not always be pretty, a doctor sees a lot of blood and deals with a lot of people in pain, but the reward for our service will be all worth it.
Joh 12:26 "If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you'll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment's notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me