9 December | EVERYONE
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." 1 Peter 2: 9,10
Full life comes from God and can only be lived in God. The people of Israel did not learn this basic lesson when they walked toward the glorious destiny that the Lord had prepared for them. The people failed the walk and never arrived. They conquered, perhaps, a piece of land, a soil of pain and contradictions, but they did not find the full life that comes from God and that is only lived in Him. He came to His own and His own did not receive Him.
Little did they know that the Christ they rejected was life itself. They preferred the vain illusions of an earthly empire and forgot that their true home was not in this world.
However, God’s plans know no defeat. Humans fail but not God. God's dream of preparing a people to live eternally with Him is still alive and fulfilled today in the church. We are today the chosen race, the royal priesthood, the holy nation, and God's own people.
It is crucial to understand that we were purchased with the precious blood of Jesus. We cost God the life of His own Son. That is why we are a holy nation. People separated from the world to live godly lives. Hence, Peter warned, "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul" (1 Pet. 2:11).
We continue our pilgrimage in this world to heavenly Canaan. You can already see the light emanating from its palaces. The night is ending. There is no more time to be distracted by the deceptive lights of this life. We are a holy nation, a generation chosen for salvation.
Take Action
Are you ready to proclaim to the world the character ("praises") of God, and do you accept such a challenge? Open your heart, say yes to Jesus, and He will fill you with His power.