1 Peter 2:9 - Jesus Can Be Your Lifeline.
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) But you are a chosen
people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people
belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of
him who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9 (NLT) But you are not like that,
for you are a chosen people. You are royal
priests, a holy nation, Gods very own possession.
As a result, you can show others the goodness
of God, for he called you out of the darkness
into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9 (AMP) But you are a chosen race,
a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation,
[God's] own purchased, special people, that you may
set forth the wonderful deeds and display the
virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of
darkness into His marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9 (MSG) But you are the ones
chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of
priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's
instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to
tell others of the night-and-day difference he
made for you"
INTRODUCTION
In Old Testament times, people did not
approach God directly. A priest acted as intermediary
between God and sinful human beings. With Christ's
victory on the cross, that pattern changed. Now we
can come directly into God's presence without
fear (Hebrews 4:16), and we are given the
responsibility of bringing others to him also (2
Corinthians 5:18-21). When we are united with Christ as
members of his body, we join in his priestly work of
reconciling God and people
People often base their self-concept on
their accomplishments. But our relationship with
Christ is far more important than our jobs,
successes, wealth, or knowledge. We have been chosen by
God as his very own, and we have been called to
represent him to others. Remember that your value
comes from being one of God's children, not from
what you can achieve. You have worth because of
what God does, not because of what you do. [Life
Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
My husband, David, brought home a bouquet
of flowers to brighten my mood, "just because."
The rainbow assortment included many types of
blooms, which I arranged in a vase and placed on the
dining table. Their bright colors and fresh scent
lifted my spirits during what was shaping up to be
a dreary winter.
After a few days, some blossoms dropped
their petals, so I removed those stems. One
morning, I entered the dimly lit room to find all but
one of the flowers wilted and dead. I was
tempted to discard the last bud along with the
others. The water was murky, and the container was
far too large for a single flower. It would be
easier to toss them all, but I noticed the one lone
carnation still possessed its scent. As I brought it
into the kitchen and selected a tiny glass bud
vase, my mind flashed on Jesus's work in my life.
When my world seems dark in this season,
Jesus plucks me from my hopelessness. He nurtures
the spark of faith within me and cradles me
safely in His embrace. Like that fragrant carnation
I saved from the murky waters of the dying
bouquet, Jesus rescued me. My value comes from being
one of His children, regardless of my feelings
or my circumstances. That everlasting truth
brightens my mood even better than a surprise bouquet.
Heidi Gaul
Faith Step: Consider the circle of loved
ones in your lifes bouquet. How can you help
them - and yourself - to bloom to the fullest
beauty for Him? [Mornings With Jesus 2023
Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]
COMMENTARY
Chosen
We all need to feel accepted. We need to
belong. In fact, sometimes those longings can be
mistaken for feeling hungry when we're really lonely
or feeling unwanted. Maybe our parents were
never satisfied with our grades or our appearance.
Maybe our spouse or the people at work say
critical things that cut us to the core. Those
experiences make us doubt whether anybody anywhere truly
accepts us as we are.
The great news is that God does accept us
just as we are. You are a member of God's family.
You belong. You're God's special possession. He
didn't choose you because of how you look, what you
do, or what family you were born into. He didn't
choose you because of how many good things you do
for your church or how successful you are as a
parent. He chose you for you.
God chose you out of darkness, just as
you are, to be part of his family. [The Daniel
Plan 365-Day Devotional]
You Dont Have to Earn Gods Acceptance
Many of us spend our entire lives trying
to earn acceptance. We want to earn it from our
parents, peers, and partners - people we respect, and
even people we envy. The desire to be accepted
drives us to do all kinds of things. It can
influence the kinds of clothes we wear, cars we drive,
houses we buy, and careers we choose.
Sometimes people do crazy things to be
accepted. A teen who badly wants to fit in might take
a risky dare; their desire to be accepted
overrules their desire for safety. If youve ever
played baseball as a kid and teams were chosen,
remember how great it felt to be picked by the best
player? Remember how bad you felt when you were
among the last few chosen?
We love the feeling of being accepted.
Did you know that God has chosen you? The
Bible says in 1 Peter 2:9, You are a chosen
people (NIV). That should raise your self-esteem!
Christ has accepted you - not because you tried
hard or because you particularly deserve it. God
simply says, I chose you.
When youre part of Gods family,
that will never change. No matter what, God will
always accept you.
Even if youve experienced rejection in
your own family, thats not the way Gods
family works. The Bible promises, Even if my
father and mother abandon me, the Lord will take
care of me (Psalm 27:10 GW).
You may have accepted Jesus into your
life - but have you realized that Christ has
accepted you? You dont have to earn it; you
dont have to prove yourself. Youre accepted by
Christ today, tomorrow, and always. No matter what.
[Daily Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
I called you out of darkness into My
marvelous Light. I brought you not only out of
darkness but into My royal family. I clothed you with
My personal robe of righteousness, making you
fit for My kingdom. You are one of My own
special people: You belong to Me, and I delight in
you.
I have chosen to use imperfect ones like
you to proclaim My praises. I know you cannot do
this as well as you would like. Actually, without
My help it is impossible for you to do. This
gap between My call on your life and your
ability to respond is part of My plan. It heightens
your awareness of your utter insufficiency.
Because you are Mine, I allow you to connect your
inability to My boundless sufficiency. Instead of
focusing on your inadequacy, work on staying close to
Me. In everything you do, consciously rely on My
help, living in the joyous wonder of
self-forgetfulness. As you look to Me for all you need, your
face will reflect the Light of My surpassing
Glory. (1Pe. 2:9; Isa. 61:10; John 15:5; 2Co. 3:18)
[Jesus Always by Sarah Young]
Sit quietly in My presence while I bless
you. Make your mind like a still pool of water,
ready to receive whatever thoughts I drop into it.
Rest in My sufficiency, as you consider the
challenges this day presents. Do not wear yourself out
by worrying about whether you can cope with the
pressures. Keep looking to Me and communicating with
Me, as we walk through this day together.
Take time to rest by the wayside, for I
am not in a hurry. A leisurely pace
accomplishes more than hurried striving. When you rush,
you forget who you are and Whose you are.
Remember that you are royalty in My kingdom. (Psa.
37:7; Rom. 8:16, 17; 1Pe. 2:9) [Jesus Calling by
Sarah Young]
Trust Me in every detail of your life.
Nothing is random in My kingdom. Everything that
happens fits into a pattern for good, to those who
love Me. Instead of trying to analyze the
intricacies of the pattern, focus your energy on
trusting Me and thanking Me at all times. Nothing is
wasted when you walk close to Me. Even your
mistakes and sins can be recycled into something
good, through My transforming grace.
While you were still living in darkness,
I began to shine the Light of My Presence into
your sin-stained life. Finally, I lifted you up
out of the mire into My marvelous Light. Having
sacrificed My very Life for you, I can be trusted in
every facet of your life. (Jer. 17:7; Rom. 8:28;
Psa 40:2; 1 Pet. 2:9) [Jesus Calling by Sarah
Young]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY
1 Peter 2:4-6 - Living Stones of God's
Temple.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220131-0921.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/
