Do you realize how special you Are?

 Read Deuteronomy 7. 

If you personally know the LORD, you are special. 

This was a reminder from Moses as he continued to prepare the nation to enter the new land.  They were to take full possession of what God was giving them.  They were to maintain spiritual purity by refusing to partner with unbelievers and worshipping their false gods. 

These were people who believed and followed the LORD.  What made them special?

1. They were declared to be holy by God. (v.6a)

2. They were chosen by God (v.6b)

3. They were treasured by God. (v.6c)

4. They were loved by God. (v.7) 

But why?  Why did the LORD choose to love them out of all the peoples of the earth?

-They had been declared holy, but they were not always obedient.

-They numbered in the millions, but they were not the largest of nations.

Truly, there was nothing about them to warrant such response from God.

The answer is in verse 8.  "But 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." 

5. They were brought out of their slavery by God. (v.8a)

6. They were redeemed by God. (v.8b)

7. They were protected by God. (v.15)

In response to the LORD, the people listened and did what God said. (v.12) 

And, the more personal question is why did God choose to love you and me?

-We may have made a mess of our lives.

-We may not feel holy or special.

-We may still struggle with disobeying the LORD.

-We may not be the strongest.

-We may not be the best in our field.

-We may not be the best looking.

-We may not have much to offer at all. 

God loved us when we were unlovely and forgave us.

"But God being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:4-5)