August 11, 2023
Prayer
Psalm 55:1-3
1 Listen to my prayer, O God,
do not ignore my plea;
2 hear me and answer me.
My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught
3 at the voice of the enemy,
at the stares of the wicked;
for they bring down suffering on me.
This is a prayer from deep in the heart and soul, asking for help with deep troubles and pain. “Distraught” is such a strong word that it brings depth to the psalm. And who is the “enemy”? The “enemy” is always the same though the faces may be different. Our enemy is always Satan. He brings the trouble into our lives often through people who hurt us and cause us to suffer. But God will hear our pleas and will ease our suffering, though the timing may not be what we wish. God’s timing is always perfect, though, and we need not fear though the relief seems a long time in coming.
1 Peter 2:9-10
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the promises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
What is this teaching me?
God’s chosen people are more than just the Jewish nation. That is an amazing thought to know that we, as believers, are as chosen as they were. Not only are we chosen, but we are “a royal priesthood” and “a holy nation”. How can this be? We are lowly, sinful beings. There is nothing royal or holy about us. That is where Jesus comes into the picture. His perfect life and innocent death have turned us into “a people belonging to God” and thereby made us “a royal priesthood” and “a holy nation”. Take a moment to let that really sink in – feel it in your heart. Feel the comfort and joy of knowing that you belong to God.
There is more. God called us out of darkness into “His wonderful light”. That light is amazing and blinding. What are we to do with this light? We are to share it. We are to “declare the promises of Him who called you”. We are to share the Gospel with a darkened worlds that desperately needs the light of the Gospel to set them free.
Finally, as a people adopted by God, we have received mercy, a free gift. We have done nothing to earn this gift. God has shown us mercy with the death of His Son on the cross to pay for our sins.
Going Forward
Where do these verses lead me to then? How do I respond to them? I let them sink deep into my heart and feel them cleaning out all the darkness that resides in there. Then, in joy and thanksgiving, I go out into this dark world and share my light, no matter how small it seems. Where am I going to shine my light? Within my family, doing my best to help my kids develop their own deep relationship with God. With my friends, supporting them and reminding them of God’s love. With strangers I meet, may I be bold enough to share the message of God’s love. With my words and actions in my every day life may I reflect God’s light to those around me.
October 10, 2022
1 Peter 2:9-10
Take Time to Pray
Psalm 55:1-3
1 Listen to my prayer, O God,
do not ignore my plea;
2 hear me and answer me.
My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught
3 at the voice of the enemy,
at the stares of the wicked;
for they bring down suffering on me.
Examine
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the promises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Notice
God
· God is light.
· God calls us out of darkness.
· God is merciful.
Lesson
· We are chosen by God, which means we, by our own power, cannot gain faith or salvation.
· God’s mercy is what saves us.
Do
Question
· How do I live as a child of God today?
Response
· Guard my tongue.
· Be in God’s Word.
· Work for God.
· Put others before me.