Date: 04-May-2023
Name: Eddy Aigbologa
Topic: YOU ARE GOD'S SOVEREIGN CHOICE
Content:
What we hope to gain before we pray is the understanding that we are the chosen ones of God. The implication is that we are God's special people, a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a Holy nation. In return, we should display God's praises and wonderful deeds to our world, as He was responsible for bringing us out of darkness into His marvellous light.
Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
I am yet to know of anyone chosen for greatness without preconditions or some element of hard work. Even for the lotto winners, there are preconditions and some input required. Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, God has destined humans to earn their living from working hard. There is no free lunch! Only a few people live to experience a life of accomplishing so much with just a little effort from themselves. Our world does not operate that way. So it sounds ridiculous for Christians to think and live as God's chosen ones with rights to the promises of 1 Peter 2:9.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Let us discuss a few of the many instances in the bible where God exhibited His sovereignty of choice over people of equal standing or similar behavioural tendencies.
- Jacob versus Esau (Romans 9:11-14)
- Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:5)
- Job & his friends (Job 42:7-8)
- Moses, Aeron & Miriam (Numbers 12:1-8; I Corinthians 2:15-16)
- Peter versus Judas Iscariot (John 17:12)
Prayer Points:
We will pray for three things we stand to gain from a firm understanding that we are God's chosen ones:
1. Boldness and courage.
- 1 Samuel 17:26 KJV
... for who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?
- Numbers 14:8-9 If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land which flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord , nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.
2. Dedication and commitment
- Job 13:15
Though He slays me, yet will I trust Him, I will defend my ways before Him.
3. Living Triumphantly
- Daniel 11:32
... but the people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits.
