Listen to this devotion
Grace-full Praise
In the Word
For he [God] chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will — to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves (Ephesians 1:4–6).
Of the Word
Some Bible verses are shrouded in mystery. There is no mystery, however, about the doctrine of God’s grace. God says it clearly: “I chose you.” But His people still have questions.
Chosen! But wait a minute, God. When did You choose me? Before I created the world.
Oh. Well, what did you choose me for? To be Mine. To belong to Me as a holy and righteous person.
Holy? Righteous? I’ve tripped up a little on that, God. Maybe You would rather un-choose me. Absolutely not. It’s all part of a covenant-promise I made. See, I adopted you as My own.
Adopted? How did You manage that? By sending My Son to do what you could not do. He died in your place, made you holy and righteous in His blood, then rose from the dead to bring you new life.
I see. God? You went to a lot of effort and expense for me. Yes, I did.
Why? I’m free to do whatever I want. And I wanted to choose you. So I did.
Walking with my Lord
Because of grace, You chose me as Your very own —
Because of grace, I praise You — Father, Spirit, Son.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 21/32 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
