Grace is a gift from God. Simply put, it is His unmerited favor to us
undeserving people. There is nothing that we have done or can do to deserve
God’s grace. This was Moses’ message to the people of Israel in Deuteronomy
7:7-11. He told them pointedly that they were chosen not because they were
greater in numbers. In fact, in terms of population, they were fewer in number
than all the people then. God chose them not on the merit of what they had
done. They were chosen because of God’s love for them, and His covenant
faithfulness to their forefathers, to whom He promised to give the promised
land.
The
magnitude of His love for them was fully on display in the dramatic deliverance
from the hand of Pharoah. By a mighty act, He delivered Israel out of Egypt,
the house of slavery where they had been miserably enslaved. He took them out
and made them His people. His covenant faithfulness could be seen in how He
continued to shower His lovingkindness on them and their children. He promised
to do so to many succeeding generations. However, He would not spare those who
would spurn and spike His love. For their ingratitude and hatred for Him, such
people would be dealt with to the face and be destroyed. Hence, they must be
diligent to take heed to His Word, and walk obediently to all His instructions.
Moses
also wanted to impress upon them that the privilege they were given should
never be an excuse for them to live as they liked. Instead, their favored
position should be a good reason to spur them on to live a holy life,
shunning a life of corruption. In just five verses, we see four
aspects of the wonderful blessings that God clearly outlined. Firstly, His
immeasurable grace poured out upon them to make them His own possession.
Secondly, His power was at work to deliver them out of their bondage. Thirdly,
His faithfulness was in full display, showing unending mercy to nurture them in
their journey. And fourthly, His providence was there to sustain them all
the way.
In
much the same way we are the recipient of God’s grace and made the people of
His own acquisition. We are also mightily delivered by the power of God through the outstretched
arms of Jesus who gave Himself for us at the cross. Furthermore, we continue to
experience His faithfulness as we walk with Him. He will guide us with His eye
upon us, leading us in the path of righteousness and to streams of living
water. And His providence will be experienced throughout our journey to ensure
that we make it to the very end with Him. Let us love Him with our whole heart,
mind, soul, and strength and not spurn His love!
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