I Peter 2:9-12 reminds us that we are a Chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, and the reason we are chosen is because we are Called to declare God’s praises.

Peter goes on to say that we are the people of God and we have received His mercy.  Oh how we need His mercy!  I don’t know where I would be without God’s mercy, love and grace in my life.

How about you, my friend?  Can you see God’s hand on your life?  Can you think of times when you knew beyond a shadow of doubt that God had taken care of you in a certain situation or life circumstance?

Peter writes in verse 11: “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”

Friend, when you commit your life to Jesus and walk with him, you become a stranger to this world.  As long as you are in your body on this earth, living in this earth-cursed system, you will battle sinful desires.  Peter writes that these “war against your soul.”  But do not despair!  Jesus gives us His Spirit to live within us, and the Spirit helps us to live Godly lives and stay away from sin.

Now maybe you have people in your life who criticize you and “accuse you of doing wrong.”  This world is so backwards that wrong is considered right and right is considered wrong.  Our enemy, the devil, has deceived many into believing these things.  It is only when someone’s eyes are opened to the truth from God’s word and they turn to Jesus that they can see the difference.

But, look at the last part of that verse: “…they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”  Friends, do not grow weary in doing good and living for Jesus.  There is coming a day when He will return and those who are still rejecting and resisting him and are still blinded to the truth will finally see that truth!

Philippians 2:10-11 assures us that: “…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

God WILL be glorified, Jesus WILL be exalted, and we WILL be saved!  Glory Halleluiah!