“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s treasured people. Such riches of grace overflow into a life proclaiming God’s magnificence and mercy. For he called you out of darkness into his marvelous light—out of death into new life in Christ. Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s beloved people.” (paraphrase of 1Pet.2:9-10)
Heavenly Father, it’s my spiritual birthday—hallelujah, woohoo, and thank you. On March 7, 1968, everything changed—and that’s true for each of your beloved children. No matter how long and how well we already know you—we’re still neophytes, novices, and newbies to all the riches of grace you have lavished on us in the Gospel. Who are we presently and forever in Christ?
- “A chosen race” – Not choice people but chosen—desired, redeemed, delighted in and beloved beyond all calculation.
- “A royal priesthood” – Mercy-servants and grace-conduits in your unshakable and eternal Kingdom. We “rule” with a towel to wash feet, not with a scepter to control anyone.
- “A holy nation” – With a heavenly citizenship that transcends our passport privileges, all earthly citizenships, our voting record, and temporal alliances.
- “God’s own possession” – Hallelujah a gazillion times over—we’re no longer our own but yours—bought with the price of Jesus’ finished work, now loved as much as you love Jesus.
- Praisers and proclaimers of your excellencies, generosity, and love – With our next and last breath, with everything we have and are, we want to show and tell the nations what a glorious and gracious God you are.
Father, on this particular March 7th, there is so much wrong, disconcerting, evil, and broken in our world, but we still sing with gusto and grace—“This IS my Father’s world, and though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.” You had the first word, Father, and you’ll get the last. Jesus and the fullness of “all things new” is barreling towards us at the speed of grace. Hallelujah and So Very Amen.
