You Have Been Chosen
By Karen L. Mechtly
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Ephesians 1:3, 4 (NKJV)
I picked up the ringing phone to hear a perky voice telling me "Congratulations! You have been chosen to receive a fantastic trip…" Instead of listening to the details, I hung up. I knew it was just an advertiser's scheme to sell me something. I knew I hadn't really been chosen for a fantastic trip, or anything else!
As I thought about the call later, I realized I really have been chosen, and for something far better than a trip! The Apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians that I have been chosen to belong to the God of the universe. How exciting is that? Because I am His, God has blessed me immeasurably.
The Apostle Peter echoes Paul's words. In I Peter 2:9 he writes "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God."
I don't need a telemarketer promising me a fantastic trip. I have the assurance of belonging to God. And all God's wonderful promises will come true.
Dear God, Thank You for choosing me.
No Longer Stuck in the Mud
By Karen L. Mechtly
Psalm 40:1-3
I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
There's a new "sport" capturing the imaginations of young people. It's called mud running. The participants compete on a course of knee-deep mud. As if running through the mud is not challenging enough, the field is also filled with obstacles, both seen and unseen. Amazingly, many are getting caught up in the sport.
While it is hard for me to understand why someone would want to slog through mud, there's something even harder for me to understand. Why would anyone choose to live in the mud and mire of sin? As I look around this world, I see many people living in the mud. But, we don't have to. David paints a beautiful picture of rescue from sin in the verses above. God can lift us out of the mud and mire of sin and set our feet on a rock. Then we can sing a new song of praise to God, and show others the joy of living for the Lord. Now that's something that appeals to me!
Instead of being stuck in the mud, we can be free to praise the Lord for His redemption!
Lord, Help me when I am stuck in the mud. Set my feet firmly on the Rock. Help my life to be a good example to others.
