6“You are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 7:6-8
We make a lot of choices every day. We choose what to eat for breakfast. We choose what to wear. We choose what we are going that day. Here is something God chose. These verses from Deuteronomy 7 show that God’s most treasured possessions are His people. He loves and cherishes us above everything else. As baptized children of God, we are His treasures. We are more special to Him than anything.
To explain why God chose us, here is a little story: Once a mother dog had eight pup¬pies. Of all the puppies, one was very small. He was nervous around people. He was frightened of loud noises. He huddled in the corner of the pen away from the other puppies. As the weeks went by, the owner noticed the little, scared puppy and worried no one would want to adopt him.
Finally, the big adoption day came. Families came and looked at the dogs to take home to their new surroundings. A few families were introduced to the puppies. Kids got excited about the happy, playful puppies as they ran around the yard with them. But the littlest puppy cowered in the corner. One family arrived with a little girl named Clara. Clara had some developmental delays, but she was quick to make a decision that day! She pointed right at the little puppy and said she wanted him. The puppy and Clara soon became best friends. The puppy helped Clara express herself, and with Clara’s gentle care, the puppy became confident and happy.
This story may be a little bit like how God chooses us. He chooses us who are weak and sinful. We are His most precious treasured possession. In fact, He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for the sins of each one of us. He counted us even above His own Son! Jesus died for our sins so that we could be brought close to God again. The Lord God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, loves us!!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for choosing us to be your own dear children. Thank you for making us your most treasured possessions. Help us to trust that you always will care for us, your dear children. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Your servant and fellow brother in Christ,
Pastor Bacic
*Adapted from the children’s message “God chose you” in the issue of Concordia Pulpit Resources, Vol. 30, Part 3, Series A, June 7-September 6, 2020.