Young Adults' Group

The Concept Of “My People”

by Pastor Mark
March 09, 2017

Reflections over the pre-camp special

Last Saturday, in preparation for this year’s Family Camp, Pastor Charles gave a strong word for us to consider the theme “My People”. There were a number of ways in which the phrase “My people” was used.

A key perspective that he taught was about “relationship”. At different points in time, Israel had various kinds of relationship with the Lord. It is good for us to check our own relationship with God in comparison with the significance of the different uses of the term “My people”.

Four ways to which “My people” was used

1. A special relationship

God commenced by offering a special relationship. In history, the Lord revealed to Moses that He would take Israel as His people when He redeemed them from captivity. (Ex 6:7) This special relationship will be based on the covenant that God would give to Israel.

2. A damaged relationship

Yet, in time, “My people” would be used to signify a damaged relationship because of the sins of the people. God had to point out their sins through the prophet Jeremiah who gave words of warnings concerning His chastisement of the people. He would bring about “the sword, the famine and the pestilence.” (Jer 14:12) But His people did not heed those warnings and the Lord had to set aside the old covenant.

3. A restored relationship

But, mercifully, there was a possibility of a restored relationship. A constant refrain that God told His people was to return, “‘Return, backsliding Israel’, says the Lord; ‘I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful,’ says the Lord” (Jer 3:12) It was necessary for Israel to return to the Lord and to be restored in their relationship with the Lord.

4. A New Covenant relationship

Going beyond a restored relationship, there was hope of a new relationship…a New Covenantal relationship. In this relationship, the Lord will put His words in their mind and write them on their hearts. He will be their God and they would be His people. (Jer 31:33) This is indeed a wonderful new relationship to have with God.

A personal reflection

I was deeply challenged by the perspective of a damaged relationship. For us, I think we all have damaged relationships with God in one way or another. We still allow ourselves to sin. We still struggle with being obedient to the Lord and His word. There is a great need for us to be restored in our relationship as we look ahead to the Family Camp. There is a great sense of hope in view of the New Covenantal relationship that we can have with God. Let us look to having this new relationship with the Lord in which we can have a future and a hope…that we can truly be called His people in the best sense of the word.

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