Thoughts for the Day

At the third new moon after the Israelites had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day, they came into the wilderness of Sinai.

Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, 'Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation.'

(New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I have often asked congregations over the years, "If your house was on fire and you had to take one thing out, what would it be?" I would then tease those who said something like "My mother's Victorian sewing box", asking them why they hadn't taken the children or their husband. But joking aside, what is your most treasured possession? Is it something you've had for many years?

I have a number of treasured possessions, like the two rings worn by my parents during the second world war with pictures of each other in them. But something else I value is a silver bracelet made in Northern Ireland when I lived there during the 1970s. It was designed personally for me, and has the history of Ireland engraved in picture form around the circlet. Its added value comes from the fact that it was given to me by my husband for my birthday.

However, if the bracelet is important to me it doesn't go anywhere near the feeling that we get from the story we read in Exodus Chapter 19. God has created a relationship with this tribe of people, the Israelites. He has rescued them from slavery in Egypt, and He offers to care for them as "a treasured possession". It conjures up an image of them being held safely in God's cupped hands. Despite their mistakes God never leaves them!

This is the God whom we worship, that sent His Son to save the world. This is the God that holds us as treasured possessions in the palm of His hand, whatever is happening in our world, and however hard life has become.

Heavenly Father,
Your Son has taught us
that we are your children -
Your treasured possessions.
Keep us safe at this time,
and may we gain more confidence
in learning to trust You,
and to know that You have only our good at heart.
Amen.