Pastor David’s devotional for January 27, 2021

Favorite Bible Verses

1 Peter 2:9-10

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts 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.

I love this verse taken from St. Peter’s first letter! It is a message we need to be reminded of often. We are God’s own people, and that makes us somebodies!

We live in a world that often devalues human life. We hear news stories all the time about acts of violence toward others. We see people being treated as if their lives don’t matter. In the meantime, many of us have had the experience of being devalued by family members, friends and co-workers.

When was the first time someone made you feel as though your life didn’t matter, like what you said didn’t matter, or how you felt didn’t matter, or what you needed didn’t matter?

Maybe it is easier to remember the last time someone made you feel unimportant. It happens all the time. Sometimes it is dramatic, like acts of violence being perpetrated. Other times it is subtle, like a harsh word, a look, or being ignored all together.

Because of the brokenness of human life, people are devalued all the time. All of us have experienced being devalued in one way or another. Some of us have experienced it often and in very painful ways.

I Peter reminds us that, though we live in a world that devalues life, God is a God who loves us. We are chosen by God, loved by God, and valued so much that Jesus died for us. We are God’s people! And, that makes us somebodies! What we think matters, how we feel matters, what we believe matters, because we matter to God! We are God’s own.

Write these words on a sticky note: “I am God’s own, I am somebody.” Stick it on your mirror. Do it again, and stick it on your dashboard. Memorize the words. Recite them often.

God knows, there will be times today when something happens that tries to bring you down. Don’t let it. Remember who you are: You are God’s own, you are somebody!

God bless you and stay well,

Pastor Dave