Out of All the Peoples

“You are the sons of the Lord your God. You… are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth… For you are a people holy to the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 14:1-2,21c

“Thus says the Lord,
he who created you,..
    he who formed you,.:
‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
    Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
Because you are precious in my eyes,
    and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
    peoples in exchange for your life.'” Isaiah 43:1-4

“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

The divine retinue that is ours in Christ is extraordinary, limitless, and indescribable. A people holy, chosen, treasured, created, formed, called, named, redeemed, precious, honored, loved, possessed. And all that we might know and proclaim His excellencies. Amazing love, how can this be? It is wholly humbling (and God-exalting) that not all are saved, nor own these spiritual riches. Out of all people God has chosen us to be His cherished possession. In sovereign, irresistible grace He pursued us, and in inexplicable love He adopted us as His children. That is what we are, which should make a difference in perception of both self and purpose. (Ephesians 1:5-8; 2:4-6; 1 John 3:1)

With abounding privilege comes remarkable responsibility to serve the Lord and daily bless His name. We were created and called by Him to bring glory to Him. If I am indeed His, royal and holy, what distinguishes my choices, attitudes, and interactions with others from all the peoples of the world as I go about activity and service? How and where am I proclaiming His excellencies and displaying His beauty in my demeanor, speech, and industry? (Isaiah 43:7; 49:3)

The world seems increasingly dark under the influence of the prince of the air. Yet, we’ve been born again into a living hope to be luminaries, effusive with Jesus in everything we do. Do we flaunt His goods, hoard them, or grow complacent about our bounty? What needs to change in our attitude about God’s gracious benevolence toward us to compel sober gratitude and generous spreading abroad of His treasures and fame? (Ephesians 2:1-3; Philippians 2:14-15; 1 Peter 1:3-5)

“May the mind of Christ, my Savior, 
Live in me from day to day,
By his love and pow’r controlling 
All I do and say.

May the love of Jesus fill me 
As the waters fill the sea.
Him exalting, self abasing:
This is victory.” ~Kate B. Wilkinson (1925)

As Your beloved child, so be it, Lord, to Your forever glory.