His Wonderful Light

Date: October 11, 2023

I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional. 

B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Voice and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share

You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?

B - Bible Verse: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." - 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

L - Listen for God's Word and pray: Heavenly Father, as I dive into this passage, open my heart and mind to receive Your Word. Help me understand the significance of being a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation. May Your truth resonate within me, and may I be inspired to declare Your praises in a world that so desperately needs Your light. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

E - Explore the History and Meaning: The Apostle Peter wrote this letter to the early Christian communities, addressing their challenges and encouraging them in their faith. In this verse, Peter emphasizes the unique identity of believers in Christ.  Peter reminds us of our incredible identity in Christ. We are chosen by God, belonging to a royal priesthood, and part of a holy nation. This means that we have a special role and purpose. We are called to declare God's praises, shining His light in a world that can often feel dark and lost.

S - Study the Key Words or Phrases: 

Chosen people: This phrase signifies that God has intentionally selected and set apart believers for His purposes.

Royal priesthood: We are called to serve God as priests, mediating between Him and the world, representing His love and grace.

Holy nation: As a holy nation, we are set apart for God's purposes, living by His standards and values.

God's special possession: We are treasured and valued by God, marked as His own.

S - Summarize and Share:

This verse reminds me of the incredible privilege we have as believers. It's not just a casual association with God; it's a profound and purposeful identity. We are chosen by the Creator of the universe, handpicked for His divine plan. We're not just ordinary people; we're chosen people.

Imagine being part of a royal priesthood. It's like having an exclusive backstage pass to God's presence, not for personal gain but to serve others. We're called to bridge the gap between God and the world, showing His love, grace, and mercy. We're God's representatives on Earth, and that's an awe-inspiring responsibility.

We're also part of a holy nation. We belong to a community of faith, set apart by God for His purposes. We're called to live by His standards, reflecting His character in all we do. It's not just about personal holiness; it's about being part of a collective that embodies God's righteousness.

We are God's special possession. Think about that for a moment. The God who created galaxies and oceans, who knows every star by name, considers us His treasured possession. We're not just statistics or faceless names in a crowd; we're precious to Him.

So, what does this mean for us today? It means that we're not defined by our past, our mistakes, or even our successes. We're defined by our identity in Christ. We're called to declare God's praises, to shine His light in a world filled with darkness.

This verse challenges me to live with purpose, to remember who I am in Christ, and to walk confidently in that identity. It reminds me that I have a role to play in this grand narrative of God's redemption. Today, I'm encouraged to step out boldly, knowing that I am chosen, part of a royal priesthood, a member of a holy nation, and God's treasured possession. In a world that desperately needs hope and light, let's embrace this identity and declare His praises.

4 Bible Cross References:

Exodus 19:6 - "You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."

Revelation 1:6 - "and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen."

1 Peter 2:5 - "you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Isaiah 42:6 - "I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles."