You Who Fear God, Listen

Acts 13:16-19 
16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it. 18 Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. 19 And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment.

God chose a people for Himself as He promised to faithful Abraham, and later chose Israel out of 400 years of slavery in Egypt.  He showed them and the world who watched that nothing was too hard for God.  Then His people disobeyed and wandered for 40 years in Sinai until all but a few faithful ones survived - then He destroyed nations in the land given to Israel, most of which they are living in today.  But all this was to point to an eternal redeemer, the Messiah/Christ.  In Him we have true freedom in reconciliation with our creator by His sacrifice for our disobedience.  This is the grace in which we stand.