Can they Recognize you as God’s Child?

OLD TESTAMENT: Jeremiah 12 & 13

POETRY: Psalm 116

NEW TESTAMENT: 1 John 3

I love looking at my children and seeing which traits of theirs are mine and which are my husband’s. My eldest is my miniature, with her blue eyes and wavy brown hair. She also has all my attitude, but also my creative flair. My second has her father’s eyes and coloring and his gentle spirit. And our son…I’m not sure if either of us were ever that mischievous, but I think we can both claim his cleverness. 

What a beautiful thing to be recognized as God’s child, though. 1 John 3 starts out with this proclamation. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” He claims us as his own, and loves when people recognize us as being children of God. And who can recognize us as such? Only those who know the Father as well. 

Those who know me well, can likely look at my children and see that they belong to me. They recognize characteristics. But those that don’t know me? It’s not so obvious. And that is why the world does not understand us. If the world doesn’t know God, it won’t recognize God’s traits in us. 

This chapter speaks a great deal on sin and how we must turn from it. It speaks on love and hate. But my favorite part of this passage is the promise that it offers, right off the bat. Verse 2 says, “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” 

One day, we will be without sin. One day, our relationship to God will be obvious. We will look like his son, Jesus Christ our savior. Everyone will see the resemblance. But until that time, we struggle against sin and imperfection. Verse 9 tells us, “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.” 

The world is looking at us, Christians. They are seeing us proclaim to be children of God, followers of Christ, and they are suspicious. If they don’t know God, they won’t recognize our conviction and our faith. But they recognize sin as we all do. And they see when we proclaim to follow God but refuse to turn from our sin. They see when we don’t love. They see when we are spiteful, or petty, or cruel. They see when we say “Love your neighbor” but do not carry out the actions. They see selfishness, pride, and haughtiness. These traits are fully recognizable as worldly traits. 

The world may not always understand true, Godly love, but we are to show it anyway so that others can see glimpses of God’s love for them. It is his great desire that we all be his children, and that one day, at Christ’s return, we are all made pure and fully known as Children of God. 

Reflection Questions: 

What traits do you show that you hope others see as Godly traits? Which areas in your actions and attitude do you feel you need to work on so that others better recognize you as God’s child?

How can you better love those around you? Is there someone in your life right now that frustrates or hurts you that you find difficult to love and be kind towards? Read through verses 21-23 and pray now for some extra strength and grace from God to be more loving toward them, so that they can see God in you.

Praying over you this week, my brothers and sisters. I’m so grateful to be a part of God’s chosen family with you.

– Jenn Haynes

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Loving the Things in the World

OLD TESTAMENT: Jeremiah 10-11

POETRY: Psalm 115

NEW TESTAMENT: 1 John 2

What do you love? Love is such a flexible word. I love God. I love my wife. I love my children. I love my favorite sports teams. I love eating a good fettuccine alfredo. I love ice cream. The way we use the word “love” varies widely on the context.

In 1 John 2, John spends some time contrasting the way that we love the things of the world with our love for God. And while his words may sound harsh, there is a great lesson for us in them:

1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world–the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life–is not from the Father but is from the world.

17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

John commands us to not love the world or the things in the world. Does this mean that we are not to love people, like Jesus commands us to? Of course not! John is using expansive language to remind us of a key point: we are not to love the evil things we find in the world.

There is evil all around us: in the media, on TV, in movies, and on the Internet. We are bombarded with images all day everyday. While they had evil imagery in the ancient world, our modern world far outstrips the ancient world in how easy it is to see evil things and how often we are assailed with these images.

So what is John asking us to do? He is asking us to love the things of God, which means that we should avoid the evil of the world. We all have innate desires in our flesh that are not godly. If we act on those desires, we are separating ourselves not only from God through our sin, but we are also consciously deciding that our way of living is better than living the way God says that we should.

Friends, that is a dangerous place to be. I know that I have walked in darkness at times, enjoying the desires of the flesh and of the eyes. But what I found is that those dark places lead nowhere good. God does not want us to avoid sin because we are good little trained creatures. It’s not like God is running a circus, and we get to play the part of the circus animals, just jumping through hoops of fire to prove to God that we love Him. That’s not it.

God designed life. God designed us. He loves us. He wants the best for us. Just like I tell my children “no” from time to time, that does not mean that I do not love them. I want what is best for my kids, even when something wrong or dangerous looks attractive to them.

Let’s avoid the evil things that our world is trying to sell to us. Let’s be examples of love and light instead. As we do so, we are examples to others of what life will look like in the coming kingdom of God. The kingdom of God and the things of God will abide forever.

-Will Barlow

REflection Questions

Do you have a love for the things of this world that is unhealthy? What can you do to return to a purer love for God?

    Have you ever noticed that when you feed your mind something, it focuses on that concept more and more? How can you guide your thoughts in a healthier direction?

    When people look at your life, can they recognize the kingdom of God? Can they see the fruit of the spirit, evidence of a changed heart and life?

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    Where are you Walking?

    OLD TESTAMENT: Jeremiah 7-9

    POETRY: Psalm 115

    NEW TESTAMENT: 1 John 1

    Have you ever felt completely at home someplace? Maybe it was your family of origin, maybe it was your first home on your own, maybe it was the first home you shared with someone special, like your spouse or a close friend. I hope that you have experienced that feeling.

    We want to feel at home in our relationship with God and with our Lord Jesus (and of course, with each other!). But sometimes, our brokenness, shame, and guilt get in the way of our feeling “at home” with God and others. Thankfully, the Bible tells us how to remedy this situation.

    In the beginning of 1 John, John talks about this “at home” feeling using the word “fellowship.” The word for “fellowship” basically means to share together or to participate together or to have close friendship with someone. We want to feel close to God, to Christ, and to each other. Those of us in church communities want to feel this closeness especially with those we are in community with on a regular basis. Living this way brings a special sweetness to life that is unlike any other feeling.

    Unfortunately, we don’t really experience this fellowship or “at home” feeling to the fullest extent possible in this life. Why? One reason is because, when we sin, our sin makes us feel distant from God.

    1 John 1:6-10 (ESV)

    6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

    7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

    8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

    9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

    10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

    Walking in darkness is having our lives saturated with sin. Christians should not live this way. Christians are called to become more and more like Jesus every single day through the power of the holy spirit. This is called “walking in the light.” Walking in the light does not mean that we will never sin again ever in this life, but rather that we will not practice sin.

    So, how do we restore this fellowship with God when we do sin? Verse 9 tells us to confess our sins. One often overlooked fact about verse 9 is that it says that God does not hesitate to restore us. It says instead that God is “faithful and just.” We can trust God to forgive us and restore us because He has been faithful through the ages. And when He does so, He is acting in a just way, because Jesus has paid the penalty for sin at the cross.

    Forgiveness by God is an act of justice accomplished through Jesus our Lord. 

    We have a lot to be thankful for!

    -Will Barlow

    Reflection Questions

    Have you ever experienced the “at home” feeling? What conditions made you feel safe and at peace?

      Do you have any parts of your life that are “walking in darkness”? What do you need to confess to bring them back into the light?

      What are the benefits to those around you when you are walking in the light?

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      Today’s Idols

      OLD TESTAMENT: Jeremiah 5 & 6

      POETRY: Psalm 115

      NEW TESTAMENT: 2 Peter 3

      Have you ever stopped to think about idolatry? In the ancient world, many groups of people would literally make statues out of wood or metal. They would sacrifice animals to these idols. They would pray to these made up, created things.

      The Psalmist talks at length about the silliness of such behavior, especially in the context of worshipping the actual Creator of the Universe:

      Psalm 115:3-7 (ESV)

      3 Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.

      4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.

      5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.

      6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.

      7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat.

      The point is clear: idols look like they can speak, see, hear, smell, feel, walk, and talk, but they cannot. They offer something that is not real. It’s a mirage. It’s a false comfort. Worshipping that way is meaningless.

      What does this have to do with us, you might ask? I don’t have an idol in my house. I don’t worship to anything made with hands.

      Friends, I wish that was true. We still have idols today. They don’t frequently look like human images made of silver or gold. Perhaps they are other people. Perhaps they are the rectangular boxes we carry around in our pockets. Perhaps it’s our favorite sports team. Maybe it’s our job or our family. There are always things that vie for our allegiance and our attention.

      Unlike the ancient idols, many of these things are not bad in themselves, as long as we walk in a balanced way. The balance begins, however, with total devotion to King Jesus. Full stop. End of story.

      When we live unbalanced lives, we might find ourselves feeling more and more unsettled, anxious, or depressed. Living the way that God wants us to live does not guarantee a life free from those things, for sure, but the point remains: when our life is unbalanced, we get negative results. Just like the ancient people sacrificing to blind and mute forms of their own creation, we sometimes get too caught up in worldly things that take our minds in directions that are unhealthy and unhelpful.

      As the Psalmist reminds us, the Lord is our help and shield. The Lord is the One who blesses us. The Lord is the one who is worthy of worship and honor. We shall praise the Lord!

      -Will Barlow

      Reflection Questions

      Do you have things in your life that are idols or cause you to be unbalanced? What can you do to get back in balance?

        Can you think of a time when you came out of a longer period of darkness and into light? How did that feel?

        Can you think of a friend that has an obvious idol in their life? What can you do to help them find better balance? (Maybe telling the story from your answer in #2 could be a place to start.)

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        A Kingdom Promise

        OLD TESTAMENT: Jeremiah 3 & 4

        POETRY: Psalm 115

        NEW TESTAMENT: 2 Peter 2

        What are you tempted to do when things get bad? Especially in the USA right now, it seems like everyone is divided, the country is full of anger, and Christianity is on the decline. What’s going on? Is there any hope?

        Looking through Scripture, we can find examples of difficult times for the people of God. Jeremiah chapter 3 is one such example. In the beginning of the chapter, God talks again and again about how corrupt and faithless the people of Israel and Judah have been. God uses the language of divorce, sexual immorality, and idolatry to describe the past mistakes of Israel and the current status for Judah. The problems were obvious. The solution also seemed obvious — return to the Lord. And not only did God declare that this was the right answer — He actively called for His people to return to Him.

        But what did the people do?

        Reading the rest of the book of Jeremiah, we know that they did not return to the true worship of Yahweh, at least before the exile.

        Nevertheless, the middle of Jeremiah 3 should catch our attention. The story does not end with the faithlessness, corruption, and sin.

        Jeremiah 3:15-18 (ESV)

        15 “‘And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

        16 And when you have multiplied and been fruitful in the land, in those days, declares the LORD, they shall no more say, “The ark of the covenant of the LORD.” It shall not come to mind or be remembered or missed; it shall not be made again.

        17 At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the LORD, and all nations shall gather to it, to the presence of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they shall no more stubbornly follow their own evil heart.

        18 In those days the house of Judah shall join the house of Israel, and together they shall come from the land of the north to the land that I gave your fathers for a heritage.

        The story ends with the goodness of God. No matter what, God will send good shepherds, most importantly the Good Shepherd, Jesus. All nations will come to worship God in the holy city of Jerusalem. The people of God will be reunited again. This is a kingdom promise, a kingdom promise located in the darkest period of the history of the people of God.

        Friends, that is our lesson for today: no matter how dark the world gets, no matter how hopeless our future seems, the kingdom is coming. The King is returning.

        Instead of focusing on the darkness around us and the turmoil (war, politics, etc.), let’s focus on God and on the hope we have for the future. And let’s share that with others, too.

        -Will Barlow

        Reflection Questions

        Self assessment: how are you feeling with all that is going on in the world today?

          What can you do to be a brighter light in the midst of this darkness?

          How can you stay anchored in the hope of the return of Jesus while also paying appropriate attention to the things of the world?

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          Standing for God

          OLD TESTAMENT: Jeremiah 1 & 2

          POETRY: Psalm 115

          NEW TESTAMENT: 2 Peter 1

          Have you ever thought that it was too hard to stand for God in the middle of this dark world? Have you ever feared ridicule that kept you from sharing your faith with someone? I know that I have thought both of these things at times in my life.

          One example in Scripture that serves to encourage us in this category is Jeremiah. Jeremiah served as a prophet in one of the darkest days for the people of God, beginning his ministry right before the exile into Babylon. Jeremiah 1 chronicles the “call” of Jeremiah to serve God.

          Jeremiah 1:4-5 (ESV)

          4 Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

          5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

          God tells Jeremiah that He knew him before he was born! Not only that, God called Jeremiah to be a prophet before he was born. What an incredible calling! And Jeremiah would need this kind of encouragement and consolation, because the people of God at this point in history were not inclined to listen to the Lord’s instruction. In fact, Jeremiah’s whole life would be filled with heartache and sorrow as he fulfilled his role as a prophet to the people of Judah in this time before and during the exile.

          Jeremiah, just like Moses and many throughout the Bible (and perhaps some of us, too!), argued with God’s choice. God responds with the only words that Jeremiah needed to hear (and the only words that we often need to hear):

          “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you.”

          They continue talking — God shows Jeremiah some visions. At the end of the chapter, God reiterates this simple word to Jeremiah:

          “They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the LORD, to deliver you.”

          Jeremiah faced many challenges in his life. He was tempted to be discouraged at every turn. And yet, in his darkest moments, he could remember the simple words that God told him the day that he was called:

          “I am with you.”

          Today, you can rest knowing that God is with you, just like He was with Jeremiah. We may face different types of battles than Jeremiah did, but the same God that was with Jeremiah is with us. He will deliver us.

          -Will Barlow

          Reflection Questions

          What do you notice in your mind and body when you face opposition? Do you tense up, get angry, feel intimidated? How can you acknowledge and hold space for these feelings while also living your faith out the way that you desire to?

            What can you do to be more intentional to stand for God bravely as Jeremiah did?

            Have you ever argued with God when He has asked you to do something? What did you do? What can you learn from that experience?

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            Shepherd the Flock & Be Watchful

            OLD TESTAMENT: 2 Chronicles 35 & 36

            POETRY: Psalm 115 (all week)

            NEW TESTAMENT: 1 Peter 5

            What is the best way to lead others in the church? What is the best way to follow church leadership?

            At the end of 1 Peter, Peter gives some exhortations to leaders in the church and then to the general assembly. His exhortation to leadership, while brief, is powerfully meaningful:

            1 Peter 5:2-3 (ESV)

            2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;

            3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

            Leaders in the church are commanded to shepherd the flock not by abusing authority but by being examples. Peter is repeating what Jesus taught him years before (see Matthew 20:25-28). Jesus served others in love, showing everyone how to live a godly life. He did not collect taxes, lead an army, start a big corporation, or run for President (or Caesar, not that it was a democracy!), but even if he held a prominent worldly position, he would not have led through fear or domination.

            How many times has this gone wrong in the history of the Christian church? How often are leaders tempted to lead this way? As a pastor, knowing how common this problem is leads me to greater personal reflection and humility. My job is to serve willingly and eagerly and to be a good example to the people in our congregation. That sounds simple and straightforward, but the other way is tempting. Leaders, we must keep the servant’s towel wrapped around our waist at all times!

            Peter goes on to admonish the whole assembly to be humble, to cast anxieties to God, and to be watchful. Each of these dispositions is important. First, humility is a foundational Christian attribute. It’s like the key to the door of growth. Humility says, “I don’t know everything yet. I can still learn more.” Everyone in the church should be humble before God and before the Scriptures. There is always more to learn. There is always more to live.

            Second, we are to cast our anxieties to God. This world is full of trouble and brokenness. All of us experience anxiety from time to time. We must remember that God cares about every aspect of our lives. What a crazy thing to believe, but it is true — the Creator of the Universe wants a relationship with you! God cares for you!

            Finally, we are to be watchful. There are influences of darkness in the world around us (see: anxieties above). The powers of darkness, led by the adversary/devil, have built systems to damage our faith and lead us into temptation. Just as our Lord Jesus taught, we seek God instead. He will deliver us from evil, and the promise is, that as we resist, the devil will flee (see also James 4:7).

            -Will Barlow

            Reflection Questions:

            1. (Leaders) How do you stay humble and focused on serving the people around you?
            • (Non-leaders) What can you do if you are concerned about your leaders and how they are behaving?
            • Are there things in your life that need more watchfulness or resisting the powers of darkness? What can you do to strengthen your resolve in those categories?
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            Using Your Gift

            OLD TESTAMENT: 2 Chronicles 33 & 34

            POETRY: Psalm 115

            NEW TESTAMENT: 1 Peter 4

            Have you ever wondered what gifts you have been given by God? Have you ever doubted that you even HAVE a gift from God? In the middle of 1 Peter 4, Peter gives a simple statement about gifts that should arrest our attention:

            1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV)

            10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

            11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies–in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

            We are first comforted (or perhaps surprised!) to hear that we have received a gift. What are we to do with our gift? We are commanded to serve one another in love — that is the way that we can use God’s grace appropriately.

            Peter also gives two large categories for gifts from God: speaking gifts and serving gifts. Unfortunately, in the modern Western church, most Christians think of the “speaking gifts” when they think of gifts. And so, when asked, “what is your gift?” so many are tempted to think that they do not even have one. But Peter does not teach this, nor do the rest of the Scriptures.  For example, giving mercy is listed as a gift in Romans 12, and administration is listed as a gift in 1 Corinthians 12. The gifts of God come in many shapes and sizes.

            If you are unsure what your gift is (or gifts are!), what can you do? I believe that Peter would encourage you to get more involved in a local congregation of Jesus followers. Try volunteering for a food drive, helping to set up for a special event, or working with the children’s ministry. Do you have any musical ability? Perhaps your worship team could use an extra instrument or voice. Has God put a desire for preaching or teaching in your heart? Ask your pastor how you can develop this desire into something more concrete. Do you have a heart for the homeless, those in prison, single parents, or another disadvantaged group of people in your community? The opportunities for exploration and service are virtually endless!

            Many times, I think we overcomplicate the idea of gifts. We are each unique people, valued by our infinite Creator. None of us are alike in every way. God has especially given you abilities that I may not have, and He has given me abilities that you may not have. And even if we have the same gift type, we will express it uniquely! This is the value and the beauty of the Body of Christ — we are both designed to fit in and belong to the church of Jesus Christ, AND we are designed to stand out in unique ways.

            Ask God to show you what desires He would like you to pursue. As you pursue those gifts, remember that it’s all about Him. It’s His ability, His power — even your life belongs to Him! So love Him with your whole heart and love your neighbor as yourself. As you do, you’ll learn more about Him and more about how He has uniquely gifted and enabled you to do good works that point back to Him. 

            -Will Barlow

            Reflection Questions

            1. Do you have any ideas about the gifts that you have? What can you do to learn more about yourself and about God?
            • What gifts of others do you especially appreciate? How does this practice of thankfulness for others’ gifts help us greater appreciate the Body of Christ?
            • What next steps are you going to take to develop an awareness of your gifts and how they can be used to serve others and glorify God?

            Will Barlow is the head pastor at Compass Christian Church in Louisville, KY. He lives near Louisville with his wife of 15 years (Becca) and three children (Liam, Hannah, and Isaac). Besides theology, he enjoys playing sports, watching sports, and spending time with his family.

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            Tremble!

            OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 65 & 66

            POETRY: Psalm 114

            NEW TESTAMENT: 1 Peter 3

            Isaiah 65:17-18 (LEB):

            “For look! I am about to create new heavens and a new earth,

            and the former things shall not be remembered,

            and they shall not come to mind.

            But rejoice and shout in exultation forever and ever

            over what I am about to create!

            For look! I am about to create Jerusalem as a source of joy,

            and her people as a source of gladness.”

            Isaiah 66:2 (LEB):

            “For my hand made all these things,

            and all these came to be,” declares Yahweh.

            “But I look to this one: to the humble and the contrite in spirit,

            and the one who trembles at my word.”

            Psalm 114:7-8 (LEB):

            “Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,

            at the presence of the God of Jacob,

            who turns the rock into a pool of water,

            the flint into a fountain of water.”

            1 Peter 3:8-9 (LEB):

            “Finally, all of you be like-minded, sympathetic,

            showing mutual love, compassionate, humble,

            not repaying evil for evil or insult for insult,

            but on the contrary blessing others,

            because for this reason you were called,

            so that you could inherit a blessing.”

            In Isaiah 65, God speaks of a future where He will create new heavens and a new earth, where the pain and sorrow of the former world will be forgotten. This promise is not only a vision of a restored creation but a source of deep joy for God’s people. Jerusalem, once marked by suffering and loss, will become a place of gladness, and its people will experience the fullness of God’s grace and redemption.

            As we move into Isaiah 66, the prophet emphasizes the kind of people God looks to in this time of renewal: those who are humble, contrite in spirit, and who tremble at His word. This passage reminds us that God’s renewal is not just about external transformation but also about the transformation of the heart. God values a spirit that is humble and reverent before Him, acknowledging His greatness and responding in obedience to His word.

            Psalm 114 recounts the mighty works of God during the Exodus, as He led Israel out of Egypt and through the Red Sea. The psalm paints a vivid picture of the earth trembling at God’s presence. The seas part, the mountains skip, and rocks turn into pools of water. This psalm highlights the awe-inspiring power of God over all creation, reminding us of His authority to transform not only nature but also our lives.

            As the earth trembles at God’s presence, we are called to approach Him with reverence. Just as He turned the hard rock into flowing water, God can bring life and renewal to the hardest and most barren areas of our lives. In times of dryness or difficulty, we can trust in God’s power to transform our circumstances and bring about new life.

            1 Peter 3 encourages believers to live in harmony with one another, showing compassion, humility, and love. Peter calls us to be sympathetic and humble, responding to evil and insult not with retaliation but with blessing. This instruction reflects the heart of Jesus’ teachings on loving our enemies and blessing those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). As followers of Christ, we are called to embody a radical love that seeks peace and extends grace, even in the face of opposition.

            Peter’s reminder that we are called to inherit a blessing is significant. As we bless others, we align ourselves with the heart of God, who has blessed us richly through Christ. Our identity as recipients of God’s mercy and grace empowers us to live in ways that reflect His love to the world.

            This week, meditate on the renewal God promises in Isaiah, the power He displays in Psalm 114, and the call to humble, compassionate living in 1 Peter. Let these truths remind you of God’s ability to transform both your life and the world around you, as you seek to live in harmony with others and bless them in Christ’s name.

            -Jeff Ransom

            Reflection Questions:

            How does the promise of a new heaven and new earth in Isaiah 65 inspire hope in your daily life, especially in the midst of challenges or sorrow?

            What does it mean to you to have a “humble and contrite spirit” before God, as described in Isaiah 66? How can you cultivate this posture in your relationship with Him?

            Reflect on the power of God over creation as seen in Psalm 114. How can you trust in His transforming power in areas of your life that feel difficult or barren?

            In what ways can you embody the compassionate and humble living described in 1 Peter 3? How can you actively bless others, even when faced with opposition or insult?

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            God’s People and His Clay

            OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 63 & 64

            POETRY: Psalm 113

            NEW TESTAMENT: 1 Peter 2

            Isaiah 63:7 (LEB):

            “I will make known the loyal love of Yahweh,

            the praises of Yahweh,

            according to all that Yahweh has done for us,

            and the great goodness to the house of Israel

            that he has done for them according to his compassion

            and according to the abundance of his loyal love.”

            Isaiah 64:8-9 (LEB):

            “Yet, Yahweh, you are our father;

            we are the clay, and you are our potter,

            and we all are the work of your hand.

            Do not be exceedingly angry, O Yahweh,

            and do not remember iniquity forever!

            Look! Behold, we all are your people.”

            Psalm 113:3 (LEB):

            “From the rising of the sun to its setting,

            the name of Yahweh is to be praised.”

            1 Peter 2:9-10 (LEB):

            “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession,

            so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light,

            who once were not a people, but now are the people of God,

            the ones who were not shown mercy, but now are shown mercy.”

            Isaiah 63 begins with a reflection on God’s loyal love and compassion. Despite Israel’s history of rebellion, the prophet praises God for His great goodness and mercy. This loyal love is not based on Israel’s worthiness but on God’s steadfast character. The passage recounts how God delivered His people, bore their suffering, and worked for their redemption throughout history.

            However, Isaiah 64 shifts to a cry for mercy and forgiveness. The people of Israel acknowledge their sin and unworthiness, likening themselves to clay in the hands of a divine potter. They plead with God not to remember their iniquity forever and ask for Him to show mercy once again. This chapter reminds us that no matter how broken or far from God we may feel, He remains our loving Father, and we are the work of His hands. He is able to mold us, forgive us, and restore us according to His mercy.

            Psalm 113 calls all creation to praise the name of Yahweh from the rising of the sun to its setting. This psalm exalts God’s sovereignty, lifting Him high above all the nations. Yet, despite His greatness, the Lord cares deeply for the lowly. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from their affliction. God’s majesty and compassion are held together in perfect harmony, and His name is worthy to be praised at all times and in all circumstances.

            This psalm challenges us to recognize God’s goodness, even in the midst of difficulty. From the moment the sun rises until it sets, His name deserves our praise. Whether in times of blessing or struggle, God’s compassion remains steadfast, and our response should be one of continuous worship and gratitude.

            In 1 Peter 2, we are reminded of the incredible transformation we experience through Jesus Christ. We, who were once in darkness, have been called into God’s marvelous light. Peter describes believers as a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession.” These titles reflect our new identity in Christ and the purpose for which we were called—to proclaim the virtues of the One who saved us.

            Peter contrasts our former state of not being a people with our new reality of being God’s people. Once, we were outside of mercy, but now we have received mercy. This passage is a powerful reminder that our identity is not defined by our past or our failures, but by God’s choosing and grace. As His chosen people, we are called to live in holiness, reflecting His light to the world.

            This week, reflect on God’s mercy in Isaiah 63-64 and His greatness in Psalm 113. Let these truths shape your understanding of your identity in Christ, as Peter describes. As God’s chosen people, live in His light, praising His name, and proclaiming His goodness to the world around you.

            -Jeff Ransom

            Reflection Questions:

            How does the imagery of God as a potter and us as clay in Isaiah 64 speak to your relationship with Him? In what areas of your life do you need to submit to His molding?

            How can you live out the call to praise God from the rising to the setting of the sun, even when circumstances are difficult?

            Reflect on your new identity as described in 1 Peter 2:9-10. How can understanding that you are a chosen and holy person shape the way you live and share your faith with others?

            In what ways can you proclaim the virtues of the One who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light in your daily life?

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