But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
10 Once you were not a people,
1 Peter 2:9-10
but now you are God’s people;
once you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.
A couple of Sundays ago, I arrived at the church and took my usual route up the hill to the office door. Something caught my eye that confused me a little. I couldn’t place what it was, so I stopped and bent down to get a closer look. There, crushed and dried on the pavement, was a tree frog. (I thought of posting a picture here, but I’ll spare you.)
I know, that’s a gross way to begin what is supposed to be an encouraging word for the middle of our week, but stick with me.
As I shrugged and continued my walk into the building, the thought struck me:
“James, there are some who will gather here, today, that feel a bit like that frog.”
As I pondered that thought, I was reminded there have been times in my own life when I have felt beaten down by the circumstances of my life and crushed under the weight of depression and anxiety that can often accompany those circumstances. In the middle of those times, I have often responded with sword-wielding faith and found my footing in the declared truths of scripture. I have prayed with a power that is not my own, trusting that while Jesus intercedes for me at the right hand of the throne of God and the Holy Spirit prays for me with groanings to deep for words I have hope and a future. At other times, however, I have not responded this way. Like the frog, likely crushed under the tire of a passing car and then dried under the baking heat of the sun, I have found myself, seemingly, without a word on which to hang my faith and without a breath to even pray.
I’m not sure where you find yourself, today. Most likely, you are somewhere between those two extremes. Whatever the case, I pray that the scripture speaks life to you today.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
10 Once you were not a people,
1 Peter 2:9-10 (NRSV)
but now you are God’s people;
once you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.
Now…take a deep breath and confess these truths out loud.
- I am chosen by God.
- I am one of a royal priesthood, equipped for every good work.
- I am holy, by His grace and mercy.
- I am God’s (daughter/son), chosen and adopted.
- My life declares His excellence, and He empowers me to walk in victory.
- I am one of God’s chosen people, and He will never leave or forsake me.
- I receive His mercy, even today.
Give thanks!