Devotional
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Excluded. Rejected. Discarded. Abandoned. Forgotten. Pushed aside. Never picked. Each of these describes what it feels like to be a nobody. The evil one gives our sinful flesh the tools and the opportunities to speak these words of self-condemnation to ourselves. God, however, has extended his mercy and grace to us. "But now…" - two of the greatest words of hope when God is attached. "But now" we can trust that God has loved us in Christ, brought us into his family, and given us a purpose. We are now part of the people of God! We have been chosen to be part of the victorious team of teams. We have received mercy! Grace has washed over us, and God's love has adopted us into his family. Peter is reminding maligned and persecuted believers that they can choose to see themselves as "nobodies," or they can choose to see themselves by their new, God-shaped identity. Peter's words speak to our hearts, too. You, dear friend in Jesus, are God's child. You are part of his eternal and conquering people - like Moses, Esther, Paul, and Mary Magdalene. Mercy has reversed the power of sin and failure in your life and has graciously given you a new identity, empowered by the Holy Spirit's presence. Live today as you now are in Jesus: one of God's special people who "declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9).
My Prayer...O Father of mercy and God of all grace, thank you for making me part of your people, with a divine purpose for my life. In Jesus' name, I thank you. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. Questions or comments can be sent to help@verseoftheday.com.© 1998-2026, Heartlight, Inc. Verseoftheday.com is part of the Heartlight Network and is maintained by Infinite Publishing. | Privacy PolicyAll scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Disclaimer: Content provided by Heartlight, Inc. is for informational and inspirational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for church, pastoral guidance, or professional counseling. Readers are solely responsible for their use of this material.
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Cheesy Vegan Enchilada Skillet (30 Minutes!) from Minimalist Baker →
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RECIPES IDEAS
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LIFE BALANCE
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"I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Gives Me Strength"