“And in that day I will SET APART the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the land.” (Exodus‬ ‭8:22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

When God sets us apart, it means that we are no longer our own. We belong to Him. We go under the umbrella of His mercy and grace. He broadcasts our identity into the realms of the spirit that He holds us in the palm of His hand, deeply loved, cared for, marked blessed, sealed to be His and chosen to be the temple of His Spirit whose power no foe can come against.

How do we know then that we have been chosen and set apart for His use? I believe it is when we get to hear the good news that has been set to woo and divinely lure us to be reconciled back to the loving arms of our Father without guilt, shame and condemnation.  This gospel of peace powerfully catered to us 2000 years ago has been prepared for us to partake like a feast, fully paid for by the finished work of Jesus Christ. To walk, experience and explore it is to respond to His invitation to become His own.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17) and the Lord has a million and one ways to make Himself known to us.  In life, I so believe that nothing just happens. When we come to have an initial encounter with the Spirit of God at a designated time however way He chooses, MARK IT, for our knowledge of His love-pursuit of us has just begun.  This is when the Holy Spirit unveils our eyes to see the plans and purposes that He has set for us.

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.” (John‬ ‭15:16-17‬ ‭NKJV)

In my own personal experience, for years I knew ABOUT God and how awesome He is, but I really didn’t personally KNOW Him. I was familiar with His acts from the time I heard about Bible stories as a kid, but I really didn’t know how it could have an effect in my own life. I regularly went to church on Sundays but I wasn’t really connecting the dots because I only saw it as an obligation and nothing further than that, although the seeds of His Word may have been silently and secretly sown into the ground of my heart unknowingly.

One day, I had an uninitiated, unexpected‬‬ and powerful encounter with His presence. It was during communion. This church had a tabernacle hidden and submerged in an altar and when it was time for communion, it electronically, slowly and gracefully emerged so beautifully. I was in awe gazing upon it and the love of God so touched my heart that brought me to tears. I was undone by such beauty and grace. It was a touch from heaven. It was indeed a glorious encounter that dramatically changed my life from then on.

Was I expecting it? No! I had no clue what the Lord had in store for me that day. I just “happened” to be in church, listening to the gospel. But what I saw as a “just happened” moment was His appointed time for me to have such a glorious encounter. Truly, it is Jesus Who chooses to whom He reveals the Father to.  No wonder His word says, “No one comes to the Father except through Him.” (John 14:6)  Only in Him and by Him we can be restored back into our Heavenly Father’s presence.

“All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. ”” Luke‬ ‭10:22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Our part of the equation is to believe, receive and respond to what has been given. Just one touch of favor from the Lord brought my life to a whole new level. It opened my eyes to see what it means to be set apart for Him and eventually be used by Him all for His glory.

Look at the Israelites in Goshen, when the Lord spoke of them of being the people chosen to be SET APART. He made a distinction.

They were protected from the swam of flies (Exodus 8:22) while the whole of Egypt was filled with it.

When the fifth plague of severe pestilence was to come upon the livestock in Egypt, the Lord made a difference that nothing shall die among the livestock of Israel (Exodus 9:4)

When plague of hail came upon Egypt, only in the land of Goshen where the children of Israel were, there was no hail (Exodus 9:26)

When the plague of darkness was over the land of Egypt, there was thick of darkenss for three days. They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place but all the children of Israel had LIGHT in their dwellings (Exodus 10:23)

When the death of the firstborn was announced, none will be against the children of Israel (Exodus 11:7).

When passover came and the blood of the unblemished lamb was put on every Israelite’s house’s two doorposts and lintel, it was a sign that … “When I see blood, I will PASS OVER you and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt (Exodus 12:13)

Bear in mind that these plagues and protection don’t mean TODAY that the Lord is against Egypt. No! What happened in the Old Testsment is a type and shadow of what it means to be washed by the Blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, TODAY! These are a few listed promises that are made available for us to partake when we believe in the Son Whom the Father has sent.  His blood still speaks to today.  His blood still protects to today.  His blood still cleanses our sin, guilt, shame and condemnation. His blood still gives us life to today.  It is the power of the blood of Jesus Christ that SETS US APART, not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of God.  Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, and what He has promised still holds to today!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You, for setting me apart by the power of the blood of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for choosing me to partake of the glorious inheritance that You qualified me by the power of His Blood. Thank You, Jesus, for coming into my life that I may enjoy it to the full till it overflows to others. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for revealing, anointing and empowering me to walk the good life that You have predestined for me as I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that JESUS IS LORD. Amen!