Live To Declare His Praises Daily
BRD REFLECTIONS:
1 Peter 2 and Psalm 37:1-19 (NIV)
(Rebecca Yong, PTM Missions)
READ:
As I read through these passages, 1 Peter 2:9-12 really stood out to me.
OBSERVE:
In contrast to those who have rejected Christ, Peter describes us as God’s chosen people in verse 9, telling us that God has formed us into a spiritual race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession. We belong to Him and are to be distinct from the rest of the world with the purpose of declaring His praises and greatness all the days of our life.
Before, we were not a people (v10), but in Christ, we have become God’s people. This is yet another round of emphasis of our belonging to Him as in the previous verse, highlighting a change in our status now, determining our new purpose in this world.
As a result of the change in our status and identity, as God’s chosen people, we are called to live as foreigners, exiles, strangers and aliens in this world, no longer fitting into the thinking and practices of the world we live in, actively keeping away from the worldly desires that wage war against our soul and solely living out His purpose for us in this world (v11).
We are called to live such good lives daily so that those around us will see the good deeds we do and give glory to God on the day of His return (v12).
APPLY:
I am reminded again of my privileged position as one of His people, not because of what I have done but because of what Christ has done for me. My identity and status as His chosen people, a holy nation determines what I do and how I live in this world, and it shouldn’t surprise me that the way I live and what I do can be vastly different from the rest of the world. The question I’d ask myself daily would be: how can I declare His praises and greatness today, so that those around me may see these good deeds and give glory to Him?
DO:
I want to give thanks to God for giving me a new life, status, identity and purpose on this earth and not take it for granted.
I will actively seek to walk in His ways daily with the help of the Holy Spirit.
I will intentionally testify of His goodness to others daily.
PRAY:
Dear God, thank You for giving me a new life, identity and purpose in this world, that I may declare Your praises and greatness all the days of my life. Grant me strength to not give in to the temptations of this world but to honour You in all that I do, think and say so that those around me will see You magnified and give glory to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
