The Upper Room Daily Devotional from Nashville, Tennessee, United States “CHOSEN” for Sunday, 7 August 2016 with Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-8 But now this is what Adonai says,he who created you, Ya‘akov,
he who formed you, Isra’el:
“Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you;
I am calling you by your name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through water, I will be with you;
when you pass through rivers, they will not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire, you will not be scorched —
the flame will not burn you.
3 For I am Adonai, your God,
the Holy One of Isra’el, your Savior —
I have given Egypt as your ransom,
Ethiopia and S’va for you.
4 Because I regard you as valued and honored,
and because I love you.
For you I will give people,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
I will bring your descendants from the east,
and I will gather you from the west;
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Don’t hold them back!
Bring my sons from far away,
and my daughters from the ends of the earth,
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You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.[1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)]
“We pick Lisa.” “We want Debbie.” “Susan.” “Janice.” I listened as they called name after name, dividing my classmates into teams. Smiling girls ran to one side or the other, laughing and clapping their hands in excitement. Not me. Growing up, I failed at any and all sports. My inability to stay focused on the play matched my clumsiness. As a result, I was always among the last chosen.
Standing alone, waiting for a team leader to pick me, I felt the minutes drag by like hours. I wanted and needed acceptance. The day I graduated from high school, part of my joy involved putting that pain behind me.
No matter our experience in school sports, none of us has to feel unwanted, abandoned, or rejected because God has called our names. Inexplicably, God has chosen each of us for an all-star team. We don’t require special skills to earn a spot or need to stand on the sidelines waiting to be chosen. Before our birth, our Father selected us and will support us against every opponent, even sin and death. Blessed with the freedom of acceptance and secure in God’s promise never to reject us, we can excel. We are beloved children of God, cheering one another on toward final victory.
The Author: Heidi Gaul (Oregon, USA)
Thought for the Day: On God’s team, everyone belongs.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us remember that you have chosen us for your team. Amen.
Prayer focus: THOSE FEELING ABANDONED
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