You Have Received Mercy [1 Peter 2]

 9But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

21For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; 23and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.


If you haven't read this whole chapter, I encourage you to go to "Daily Reading" or turn to it in your Bible and do so.  There are many wonderful verses to consider besides the ones I have chosen above.  I pray that you will desire God's word like a newborn infant going after milk!  (v.2)


You are different than you were before.  You once were not a people of God but now you have received mercy and are "God's OWN POSSESSION."  You now have a different purpose in life - to "proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."  You, my friend, are chosen by God to be like Him!  You have been changed into His likeness and that change will reflect how excellent He is.  Throughout this letter from Peter, he will describe that reflection (just in case you have been deceived about who He is). 


But most importantly Jesus left us an example of God's reflection lived out in the midst of life in this world. What an example He left of "entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously." 

We praise You, Jesus, for bearing our sins in Your body on the cross "so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness."   Thank You for healing us with those wounds You received.  Thank You for continually receiving us when we return to You, the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls.  Thank You for Your mercy.

Verna McCrillis, 9/16/2009