Scripture

God the Father knew you and chose you long ago and his Spirit has made you holy as a result. You have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Observation

The letter is from Peter, and he writes to believers in the provinces in Asia Minor. He says they were known by God and chosen by Him long ago.

It is by God’s mercy that we have been born again. We live with great expectation and we have a priceless inheritance kept in heaven for us.

Through our faith, God is protecting us by his power until we receive the salvation which is ready to be revealed on the last day.

Application

It is an awesome thought that God knew us and chose us from long ago or actually, from before the world was created.

He has known me forever and will know me forever. He knew who I would be and what I would do in my life.

When times of hardship come, or even persecution, it is encouraging to know that God knew about it, and that in some way it will turn out to to His glory and for my good. This can give me a bigger perspective and rescue me from the temptations of introspection and self-pity.

Because He knows me, God has chosen me. I can’t go down the theological rabbit hole of predestination. Suffice it to say that God saw in me something He valued and that He could work on to bring me to salvation. He also saw that when the time came to be invited into the kingdom, I would say “yes.”

Prayer

You knew me and chose me from long ago. All praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.