FRIDAY
Finally, we come to the reason why God in his mercy has made the church a people for his own possession.
1 Peter 2:4–10 4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,
“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”
8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
This is a beautiful phrase that should characterize Christian worship. The term excellencies is only used a five times in the New Testament (four out of the five by Peter). Depending on the context, it can be used to refer to virtue and admirable character or it could also refer to acts of strength and great power. Both apply to God. It is his character of love and mercy that leads him to save his people. Believers are to proclaim the wonderful acts of God’s power, particularly in calling his people out of darkness and into light. Again, this is another reference to Isaiah 42:16. If nothing else, I hope this week you are seeing the great value of being saturated in the word of God. It just flows out of Peter.
This is another great image. Peter is a master of painting pictures for us to reflect on. Prior to being the people of God, we dwelt in darkness—the darkness of our sin, believing lies, without life and hope. Now, because of the mercy of God in making us a people for his own possession, we dwell in light—truth, life, hope, holiness.
Reflection
Take some time today to proclaim the excellencies of God who called you out of darkness and into his marvelous light. Worship him for his character of mercy and covenant faithfulness and love that has led him to act in such power. Worship Jesus for his heroic, mighty acts of proving he is the Messiah and God by calming the storm, healing the sick, raising the dead. Ultimately he proved his power by dying on the cross and rising from dead. He then gives his people who are in him this same life and power over death. This worship is the reason we have been given this new identity and have been chosen into the people of God.