Respect

[0:00] A pastor's reflections. Respect. Exodus 2.25. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them. Romans 2.11. For there is no respect of persons with God.

[0:18] Psalms 1.6. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish. In Exodus chapter 2, the nation of Israel has endured decades of abuse at the hands of the Egyptians. Not only has Egypt subjugated the people of Israel into slavery, they have also systematically hunted down and murdered the Hebrew male babies. After 40 plus years of this type of treatment, Israel is now realizing there is no way out for them. A new Pharaoh and a new administration has done nothing to stem the tide of abuse. In desperation, Israel now begins to cry out for help from their only source of real hope, God. The scripture states in Exodus 2.25 that God then hears their cry and has respect unto them. But what does that mean? In Romans 2.11, we are told that

[1:19] God is not a respecter of persons. So which is it? God respects no man, woman, or child for who they are.

[1:30] He is not impressed with someone's stature, position, or family history. Even his own chosen people, the nation of Israel, do not have special access to God. They too must come to God on the same terms that we all must, by faith. While Romans 2.11 says, for there is no respect of persons with God, Romans 2.10 says, but glory, honor, and peace to every man that works good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile. In other words, the peace of God and the redemption of God is available to all those who work good. But what is that good work? John 6.29, Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent. It's faith, faith in God that he will hear us, rescue us, and redeem us. In Exodus chapter 2, God's people were calling in faith upon their God to save them. And God was not slow to have respect unto their cry. For you and I today, we do not need special credentials or connections to get God's respect. We simply need to respond in faith to God and his word. When we put our trust in what God can do, we will find a God willing to do much on our behalf. Father, thank you for respecting the sacrifice of your son upon the cross. Thank you that his sacrifice opened the door for you to respect the faith of all who would come to you.

[3:12] Thank you that today, your people fall under the blessing of your word and their faith. Amen.