Forever Welcomed: A Five-Day Journey Into God’s Heart for Allনমুনা

RESCUED AND SET APART

Have you ever felt . . . just kind of forgotten? Wondering if God will come through on His promises?

Covenants in the ancient Near East were shaped by social structures along with political and religious life. People lived in constant fear of fickle gods whose anger was unpredictable and whose favor was fleeting.

But the God of the Bible is different. Unlike the distant, changeable gods of the nations, the Lord invites His people into a relationship of trust and faith. He offers security through a covenant with clear, defined expectations. God is willing to bind Himself to sinners, not because they’ve earned it, but because of His grace and their willingness to receive it by faith.

At Mount Sinai, after the Israelites are delivered from slavery, God enters into a covenant with His people, inviting them into a relationship marked by faithfulness, love, and obedience (Exodus 19:5-6; 20:1-3). The laws God gives are not arbitrary rules; they’re reflections of His character to set Israel apart as a kingdom of priests who would represent Him to the nations.

This is the story of God’s people, the Israelites, yes, but it’s also the story of how God forms and transforms His people, a pattern that continues to this day. In Exodus 19:5-6, God calls Israel to be His treasured possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Centuries later, 1 Peter 2:9 echoes this language, applying it to all who belong to God in Christ Jesus.

Together, these passages reveal a consistent biblical theme: God sets apart an imperfect people for Himself, not because He overlooks sin, but because His impartial love meets us in our brokenness and calls us into holiness.

Where do you feel forgotten in your life today, as if God has forgotten His promises according to His word? How does God’s covenant with the Israelites and covenant with us through Jesus give you hope?