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Most mornings I like to drink coffee, read the Bible and pray the Lord’s Prayer. I have been reading through Exodus and recently read chapter 19. Finishing the chapter, I began praying the Lord’s prayer. Then it hit me. They have a lot in common! Let’s take a look.
In the Lord’s Prayer and Exodus 19:5-6, we find remarkable similarities that reveal essential aspects of our relationship with God. Both passages emphasize holiness, the establishment of God’s kingdom, obedience to His will, and the profound truth that we are treasured possessions in His eyes. Through a closer examination of these shared themes, we can gain a deeper understanding of our identity and purpose as God’s chosen people.
Holiness: Reflecting God’s Nature
The Lord’s Prayer begins with the acknowledgment of God’s holiness with the phrase, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” By starting our prayers with reverence for God’s holiness, we acknowledge His pure and perfect nature. In Exodus 19:5, God calls the people of Israel to be a “holy nation,” set apart for Him. Both passages underscore the importance of reflecting God’s character in our lives and striving for holiness in all aspects.
As believers, we are called to pursue a life of holiness, marked by love, righteousness, and obedience to God’s commandments. By living out this distinctiveness, we become a living testimony to God’s glory and grace, drawing others closer to Him.
Kingdom: God’s Sovereign Rule
The Lord’s Prayer contains the petition, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” This plea expresses our longing for God’s kingdom to be established on Earth, signifying His reign over every aspect of our lives. Similarly, in Exodus 19:6, God designates the people of Israel as a “kingdom of priests,” intended to represent Him and His rule to the nations.
As members of God’s family, we have the privilege of participating in His kingdom. Our daily choices, actions, and attitudes should align with His will, reflecting His lordship in our lives. By actively seeking His kingdom and its righteousness, we become ambassadors of His love, peace, and justice, bringing hope and transformation to a broken world.
Obedience to God’s Will: Embracing Our Covenant
The Lord’s Prayer includes the plea, “Your will be done,” which expresses our surrender to God’s divine plan. In Exodus 19:5, God’s promise of making the Israelites His treasured possession is contingent upon their obedience to His voice and keeping His covenant.
Obedience to God’s will is not a mere obligation but a pathway to experiencing His blessings and favor. By following His guidance, we align ourselves with His purpose for our lives and open ourselves to His transformative power. God’s desire is not for blind obedience, but for a loving, intimate relationship with Him, where we willingly submit to His will, trusting in His goodness and wisdom.
Treasured Possession: Chosen and Cherished
In both passages, the concept of being God’s treasured possession stands out prominently. The Lord’s Prayer reminds us that we address God as “Our Father,” signifying our adoption into His family, making us His cherished children. Similarly, in Exodus 19:5, God calls the people of Israel His treasured possession among all the nations.
Knowing that we are treasured by God should fill our hearts with gratitude and humility. This understanding reinforces our identity and purpose, motivating us to live lives that honor and glorify Him. Recognizing our worth in His eyes empowers us to walk boldly in our faith, sharing His love and grace with others.
In the Lord’s Prayer and Exodus 19:5-6, we find helpful insights into our relationship with God. Through the themes of holiness, God’s kingdom, obedience to His will, and being His treasured possession, we discover our identity as beloved children of the Almighty. As we embrace these shared elements, let us walk in holiness, submit to His will, and spread the light of His kingdom to the dark world around us. Embracing our identity as God’s treasured possession empowers us to live happy lives with purpose and significance, impacting others with His love and grace.
About once a month I share in morning devotions at the home for needy children here in Oaxaca, Mexico. On Tuesday I talked about finding rest from 1 Peter 5:6-8,
In verse 6 Peter writes about humbling yourself in the sight of the Lord, and he will lift you up. In my Spanish version Bible it says humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God. The Mighty Hand of God. Many times I like the Spanish version better than the English version. It seems I can try to lift my bad old prideful self up, by myself, or I can humble myself and trust my life to the mighty hand of God and let him do the heavy lifting. Seems like a no brainer to me. But that idea of humbling ones self generally goes against the grain of most proud, individualistic Americans, and Mexicans, who think they can handle life on their own, thank you very much! We encounter great peace, rest and happiness, when we are able to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand.
Next Peter says cast your cares on God, for he cares for you. What a word of encouragement, Our loving Father cares for us and wants to shoulder our burdens, anxieties, and worries. That doesn’t mean he takes them away necessarily, but that he gives us a new perspective on them, one that makes the burden lighter, and enables us to rest knowing that his mighty hand is lifting us up to a safe place. Reminds me of Jesus words in Matthew 25, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” Resting is a learning process.
Finally, Peter writes about our enemy, the devil, who wants to destroy us. Devour us. How? With worries, anxiety and stress. I read recently that one third of teenage girls thought seriously about suicide over the last few years. Why? Because of depression brought on by worries and anxiety, brought on in a large part by social media. The devil lion is ready to pounce, and if they don’t humble themselves and cast their cares on God, he will devour them. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among all teens, especially females. Coincidentally, one third of the group in devotions was teen girls. I hope and pray that they humble themselves and cast their cares on God, and find rest for their weary souls!
Of course the devil also has ways to destroy the proud, self confident, arrogant and self righteous. Peter is telling all Christians to be on guard. Beware. Watch out. I think of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” The best way to really stand firm is to stand on the Rock, Jesus our Savior.
God loves us and wants us to be happy. Through the words of Peter we learn we have tools to be happy and rest. Humble ourselves under his mighty hand. Cast our anxieties on him. Watch out for the devil who wants to devour us. Using these three tools we can enjoy the rest of God.
I have a bunch of colorful zinnias growing next to my patio. They bring a smile to my face every time I gaze upon them. They make me happy. What happens when they fade and die? Here at the home for needy children in Oaxaca, Mexico, we have a big mango tree that is full of mangoes. Everyone here loves mangoes. They make us happy. What happens when they become wormy (as they have of late), or we eat the last good one? The children here have wonderful house parents who they love and become attached to. What happens when the house parents move on?
In a world filled with fleeting pleasures and momentary happiness, we are often left longing for something more substantial, something that can fill the void within our souls. True happiness cannot be found in flowers, mangoes or even in the love of house parents. However, the psalmist reminds us of a profound truth that has the power to transform our lives – our ultimate source of joy lies in the Lord.
Psalm 32:11 beckons us to “rejoice in the Lord and be glad.” It is an invitation to experience a deep and abiding joy that surpasses all circumstances. This joy is not dependent on our external situation but is rooted in a relationship with the One who created us. It is a joy that springs forth from the depths of our being, from a heart that has been transformed by God’s love and grace.
As believers, we have a unique reason to rejoice. We have been justified by faith in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. Our sins have been forgiven, and we have been reconciled to God. We are called the righteous, not because of our own righteousness, but because of the righteousness of Christ imputed to us.
This joy is not merely an emotion; it is a choice we make every day. We choose to rejoice in the Lord despite the challenges and trials we face. It is a deliberate decision to focus our hearts and minds on the goodness, faithfulness, and sovereignty of God rather than being consumed by the troubles of this world.
When we rejoice in the Lord, our perspective shifts. We begin to see life’s difficulties through the lens of God’s grace and providence. We find comfort in His presence and in the promises of his Word.
All of us at the home for needy children, staff, volunteers and the kids, can truly rejoice and be glad following our Savior who loves us and wants us to be happy, eternally.
To Enjoy God 