When I was saved so many years ago there were two verses that God showed me almost immediately. The first was Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
That verse has sustained me through many a person discouragement, failure, or doubt. God began this work in me … God will finish this work in me. The second verse I learned was 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God (God’s special possession), that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
That verse holds special meaning for me also. To be God’s special possession is an overwhelming thought. To be called out of darkness into His marvelous light lifts my spirits. But there is one little phrase in that verse that reminds me of my life’s goal … God did all this so that “[I] may declare the praises of Him.”
What privilege! Last Wednesday I wrote out a little reminder and put it on the bottom of my computer monitor at work. It simply says, in all thing give thanks. Whenever I have even a moment I am remembering to offer thanksgiving to Him who chose us, made us royalty in His kingdom, took us as a holy nation (God’s special possession) and brought us from darkness to His marvelous light. There is so much for which to give thanks in that one verse alone.
Father, to be declared Your special possession is beyond my ability to fathom. It makes me cry, “Why me?” I am so lowly and insignificant in Your grand scheme and yet You have declared me to be Yours. Forever, thank you! Amen.
