1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) But you are a chosen 
people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people 
belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of 
him who called you out of darkness into his 
wonderful light.  

1 Peter 2:9 (NLT) But you are not like that, 
for you are a chosen people. You are royal 
priests, a holy nation, Gods very own possession. 
As a result, you can show others the goodness 
of God, for he called you out of the darkness 
into his wonderful light.  

1 Peter 2:9 (AMP) But you are a chosen race, 
a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, 
[God's] own purchased, special people, that you may 
set forth the wonderful deeds and display the 
virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of 
darkness into His marvelous light.  

1 Peter 2:9 (MSG) But you are the ones 
chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of 
priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's 
instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to 
tell others of the night-and-day difference he 
made for you"  

INTRODUCTION

   In Old Testament times, people did not 
approach God directly. A priest acted as intermediary 
between God and sinful human beings. With Christ's 
victory on the cross, that pattern changed. Now we 
can come directly into God's presence without 
fear (Hebrews 4:16), and we are given the 
responsibility of bringing others to him also (2 
Corinthians 5:18-21). When we are united with Christ as 
members of his body, we join in his priestly work of 
reconciling God and people  
   People often base their self-concept on 
their accomplishments. But our relationship with 
Christ is far more important than our jobs, 
successes, wealth, or knowledge. We have been chosen by 
God as his very own, and we have been called to 
represent him to others. Remember that your value 
comes from being one of God's children, not from 
what you can achieve. You have worth because of 
what God does, not because of what you do. [Life 
Application SB] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   My husband, David, brought home a bouquet 
of flowers to brighten my mood, "just because." 
The rainbow assortment included many types of 
blooms, which I arranged in a vase and placed on the 
dining table. Their bright colors and fresh scent 
lifted my spirits during what was shaping up to be 
a dreary winter. 
   After a few days, some blossoms dropped 
their petals, so I removed those stems. One 
morning, I entered the dimly lit room to find all but 
one of the flowers wilted and dead. I was 
tempted to discard the last bud along with the 
others. The water was murky, and the container was 
far too large for a single flower. It would be 
easier to toss them all, but I noticed the one lone 
carnation still possessed its scent. As I brought it 
into the kitchen and selected a tiny glass bud 
vase, my mind flashed on Jesus's work in my life. 
   When my world seems dark in this season, 
Jesus plucks me from my hopelessness. He nurtures 
the spark of faith within me and cradles me 
safely in His embrace. Like that fragrant carnation 
I saved from the murky waters of the dying 
bouquet, Jesus rescued me. My value comes from being 
one of His children, regardless of my feelings 
or my circumstances. That everlasting truth 
brightens my mood even better than a surprise bouquet. 
Heidi Gaul 
   Faith Step: Consider the circle of loved 
ones in your lifes bouquet. How can you help 
them - and yourself - to bloom to the fullest 
beauty for Him? [Mornings With Jesus 2023 
Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] 

COMMENTARY

Chosen
   We all need to feel accepted. We need to 
belong. In fact, sometimes those longings can be 
mistaken for feeling hungry when we're really lonely 
or feeling unwanted. Maybe our parents were 
never satisfied with our grades or our appearance. 
Maybe our spouse or the people at work say 
critical things that cut us to the core. Those 
experiences make us doubt whether anybody anywhere truly 
accepts us as we are.  
   The great news is that God does accept us 
just as we are. You are a member of God's family. 
You belong. You're God's special possession. He 
didn't choose you because of how you look, what you 
do, or what family you were born into. He didn't 
choose you because of how many good things you do 
for your church or how successful you are as a 
parent. He chose you for you. 
   God chose you out of darkness, just as 
you are, to be part of his family. [The Daniel 
Plan 365-Day Devotional]  

You Dont Have to Earn Gods Acceptance
   Many of us spend our entire lives trying 
to earn acceptance. We want to earn it from our 
parents, peers, and partners - people we respect, and 
even people we envy. The desire to be accepted 
drives us to do all kinds of things. It can 
influence the kinds of clothes we wear, cars we drive, 
houses we buy, and careers we choose. 
   Sometimes people do crazy things to be 
accepted. A teen who badly wants to fit in might take 
a risky dare; their desire to be accepted 
overrules their desire for safety. If youve ever 
played baseball as a kid and teams were chosen, 
remember how great it felt to be picked by the best 
player? Remember how bad you felt when you were 
among the last few chosen? 
   We love the feeling of being accepted.
   Did you know that God has chosen you? The 
Bible says in 1 Peter 2:9, You are a chosen 
people (NIV). That should raise your self-esteem! 
Christ has accepted you - not because you tried 
hard or because you particularly deserve it. God 
simply says, I chose you. 
   When youre part of Gods family, 
that will never change. No matter what, God will 
always accept you. 
   Even if youve experienced rejection in 
your own family, thats not the way Gods 
family works. The Bible promises, Even if my 
father and mother abandon me, the Lord will take 
care of me (Psalm 27:10 GW). 
   You may have accepted Jesus into your 
life - but have you realized that Christ has 
accepted you? You dont have to earn it; you 
dont have to prove yourself. Youre accepted by 
Christ today, tomorrow, and always. No matter what. 
[Daily Devotional by Rick Warren: 
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/] 

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

   I called you out of darkness into My 
marvelous Light. I brought you not only out of 
darkness but into My royal family. I clothed you with 
My personal robe of righteousness, making you 
fit for My kingdom. You are one of My own 
special people: You belong to Me, and I delight in 
you. 
   I have chosen to use imperfect ones like 
you to proclaim My praises. I know you cannot do 
this as well as you would like. Actually, without 
My help it is impossible for you to do. This 
gap between My call on your life and your 
ability to respond is part of My plan. It heightens 
your awareness of your utter insufficiency. 
Because you are Mine, I allow you to connect your 
inability to My boundless sufficiency. Instead of 
focusing on your inadequacy, work on staying close to 
Me. In everything you do, consciously rely on My 
help, living in the joyous wonder of 
self-forgetfulness. As you look to Me for all you need, your 
face will reflect the Light of My surpassing 
Glory. (1Pe. 2:9; Isa. 61:10; John 15:5; 2Co. 3:18) 
[Jesus Always by Sarah Young] 

   Sit quietly in My presence while I bless 
you. Make your mind like a still pool of water, 
ready to receive whatever thoughts I drop into it. 
Rest in My sufficiency, as you consider the 
challenges this day presents. Do not wear yourself out 
by worrying about whether you can cope with the 
pressures. Keep looking to Me and communicating with 
Me, as we walk through this day together.  
   Take time to rest by the wayside, for I 
am not in a hurry. A leisurely pace 
accomplishes more than hurried striving. When you rush, 
you forget who you are and Whose you are. 
Remember that you are royalty in My kingdom. (Psa. 
37:7; Rom. 8:16, 17; 1Pe. 2:9) [Jesus Calling by 
Sarah Young] 

   Trust Me in every detail of your life. 
Nothing is random in My kingdom. Everything that 
happens fits into a pattern for good, to those who 
love Me. Instead of trying to analyze the 
intricacies of the pattern, focus your energy on 
trusting Me and thanking Me at all times. Nothing is 
wasted when you walk close to Me. Even your 
mistakes and sins can be recycled into something 
good, through My transforming grace.  
   While you were still living in darkness, 
I began to shine the Light of My Presence into 
your sin-stained life. Finally, I lifted you up 
out of the mire into My marvelous Light. Having 
sacrificed My very Life for you, I can be trusted in 
every facet of your life. (Jer. 17:7; Rom. 8:28; 
Psa 40:2; 1 Pet. 2:9) [Jesus Calling by Sarah 
Young] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY

1 Peter 2:4-6 - Living Stones of God's 
Temple. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220131-0921.html 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/