1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, the people who are God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. At one time, you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. At one time, you were not shown mercy, but now you have been shown mercy.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the mercy you have shown to us. Your mercy is entirely undeserved, but this is the point of your mercy: not giving us what we deserve while giving us what we do not deserve. Each day, we struggle with our pride and sinful desires in the things we think, say, and do; it is challenging to consider ourselves as being holy.
Without your salvational plan, we would remain stuck in our sins, which results in eternal condemnation and separation from you. However, you desired fallen people to be restored to you and live with you forever. You did this through Jesus, who willingly carried out the salvational plan to restore all people to you. He removed all sin by suffering and dying on the cross, taking the world’s sin into himself. Jesus’ forgiveness is delivered as a gift to each person by faith in him, knowing our sins, and trusting he has removed our sins forever. Those who reject your love and mercy remain condemned. In contrast, those who trust in you have become a holy priesthood.
We pray that You will strengthen our faith in You and allow us to share the good news of our salvation with those who do not yet know or trust You because You have called us out of the darkness of our sins into the light of Your salvation. We are now your people, your children, and heirs of heaven. Thank you for your love and mercy in restoring us to You. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
God wants everyone to be his people. Jesus has already taken your sins away so that you have the peace of forgiveness and the confident hope of salvation that comes to you by faith. Please do not reject God’s love for you.