His People

The LORD will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the LORD to make you his very own people. [1 Samuel 12.22]

God would not abandon His people because it would bring dishonor to His name.

God will not abandon His people because it would bring dishonor to His name.

If God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, then both statements above are true.

The defining words however are "His people." Who are His people?

Israel was God's people - at least as long as they honored and served God. We see numerous occasions where God temporarily abandoned Israel when they repeatedly abandoned Him.

We have also seen that God intended to wipe out Israel on at least one occasion and would have started a new people from Moses and his descendants. But Moses interceded.

This is all very compelling talk. What does it mean for God to abandon His people?

I just keep coming back to the phrase, "His people."

Did Israel have a choice in being God's people? Again, according to the Bible records that God refused to help them on more than one occasion, it would appear Israel did indeed have a role to play in being God's people. Just because they were chosen did not mean they accepted God's choice. 

The relationship was a tumultuous one.

So, the question really is, would God abandon His chosen people who are submitted and looking to Him? Absolutely not.

However, would God abandon His chosen people who are in rebellion and looking to idols? The Bible is clear that He did many times, ...at least for a while.

God is not quick to abandon anything that has His name on it - His association with it. Why? Because He doesn't want the world to look at anything "in the refuse pile" that has His name on it! That would be a dishonor.

There is much to consider when following this line of thinking, but, suffice it to say, that God is certainly not going to abandon anyone who does everything in their power to be associated with Him.

Maybe 2 Chronicles 7.14 gives us an indication of who God's people are...

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

What role does humbling themselves, praying, seeking God's face, and turning from their wicked ways have to do with anything concerning 'God's people'?

Could we go so far as to conclude that 2 Chronicles 7.14 is not only a promise, but a definition of who God's people are? Just a thought...

Father, help me to see clearly what all Your Word says and what it does not say about Your people today!