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Devotional 1.16.26

 


January 16, 2026 – Chosen, Called & Cracked

1 Peter 2:9 – 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.

Scripture Reading – Genesis 12:10-20

 

Our passages this week reflect the familiar saying, “God doesn’t call the equipped, he equips the called.” More often than not, we read about people in Scripture who are imperfect, weak, and mess up. They are often described as broken vessels, “cracked” jars of clay. Yet, these flawed people, people like us, are those who have become a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession.

 

Abraham was called by God, promised to be made a great nation and given land. In response he built altars and called upon the name of the LORD (Gen. 12:1-9). Yet, the next thing we read is an account of Abraham behaving as someone who fears man more than he trusts in the promises of God. However, God’s promises weren’t contingent on what Abraham did, but on who God is.

 

Similarly, Peter was one of Jesus’ chosen disciples, part of his inner circle, and went on to be a foundational leader in the early church. But there were bumps along the road. Peter doubted. He denied Jesus. He acted rashly and didn’t always interact diplomatically with others. None of that derailed God’s plans to use Peter mightily. Peter was sifted like wheat (Luke 22:31-32). His faith was refined, matured, and after he turned again (repented), he strengthened his brothers. That is Peter’s charge at the end of our reading – that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. This is the hope of the gospel. Jesus meets us where we are, in our brokenness, shame, and sinful state. But praise God, he doesn’t leave us there. He calls, and empowers, us to strive for holiness and to live in the light. 

 

Our worship songs on Sunday reflect these truths. We need Jesus. We can come to him honestly, trusting him with our flaws and brokenness. Though we fail, Jesus’s love is sure. We have assurance that we are completely known, completely loved, completely saved, not by any works we have done. We are covered in our Savior’s blood. Let us “turn again” in response.

 

Further reading: Gen. 12:1-9; 15:1-20; Heb. 11:8-12 | Matt. 14:28-31, 26:69-75; 1 Pet. 2:1-25   

 

Reflection Questions:

1.     Are there broken areas of your life that you haven’t authentically brought to Jesus?

2.     If so, how might that be hindering you from living fully in his marvelous light?

 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, that you that I am completely known and completely loved. Thank you for the assurance that I am covered by your blood. Forgive me for the times I’ve tried to clean myself up before turning to you. Give me courage to take an honest inventory of hidden sins that I haven’t confessed and brought to you. Help me to live in your marvelous light. Amen.


You can listen to a playlist of the morning worship songs here.


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