CHOSEN
- UnstoppableRevKev
- Aug 13
- 3 min read
📖Scripture: “…chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father…”
– 1 Peter 1:2a
🔎Reflection: God the Father's foreknowledge in choosing the elect is not some sterile or passive awareness of future events—it is His sovereign, loving, and personal determination regarding His redemptive plan (Rom. 8:29-30). Before creation, God knew us, loved us, and purposed to redeem us in Christ Jesus, the eternal Son of God (Eph. 1:4-5). This is not some nebulous cosmic or universal force called “fate;” it is the Heavenly Father’s divine, perfect, providential, and gracious will.
For the elect, i.e., members of Christ’s Body & Bride, the Father's foreknowledge reveals that nothing is random. No trial, loss, or hardship… no victory, win, or open door ever comes that catches God by surprise. Simon Peter, who once panicked and denied Christ - THREE TIMES - when life spun out of control, now, here in 1 Peter, testifies that everything unfolds under and according to the Father’s divine foreknowledge and sovereign rule. Faith rests in this reality: that especially when we don’t understand the “why,” we can always trust the “Who” (Prov. 3:5-6), God our Father.
This divine biblical truth and ultimate reality demolishes Satan's schemes (steal, kill, and destroy) and worry’s stranglehold. Worry is a sinful declaration that our timing, plans, strategies, and tactics are superior to God’s. But when we intentionally choose to see life through the lens of God’s perfect omniscience and foreknowledge, our perspective shifts radically.
Hard seasons become times of contentment in those necessary refining fires. We no longer perceive them as unwarranted and pointless sufferings (1 Pet. 1:6-7). When we submit to God's divine prescription, “rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thess 5:16-18), faith is no longer merely hypothetical or theoretical. Trusting in the LORD is a divine prescription for our benefit, not God's. So the elect choose intentionally to trust that the God who began a good work in us, as devoted members of Christ’s Body & Bride for the advancement of Christ’s kingdom (that’s the context of Phil 1:6)... we have perfect peace that He who started it will see it through to completion!
🤺Action: Identify a situation or time in your life (past or present) when you were worried, anxious, fearful, or frustrated and manipulated the outcome (intentionally or unintentionally) rather than trusting in the LORD with all your heart. When things didn’t develop the way you had hoped or planned, was your response one that glorified Christ in and through His Church (Pr 3:5), or was there collateral damage for pursuing a way that merely seemed right to you (Pr 14:12)? God's desire for us is to be conformed, transformed, sanctified, edified, purified, and equipped to reflect His grace and glory. Repentance of sin (anything that doesn’t come from faith is sin… Rom 14:23b) is a gift. Lean into God's grace by repenting where convicted and confessing His sovereignty.
Prayerfully reflect on ways God has used past trials for your benefit, correction, growth, edification, and sanctification as a way to rescue you from the philosophies of the world (Col 2:8) and pattern of the flesh (Pr 26:11). Most importantly, crave and embrace God’s loving correction and enduring faithfulness moving forward in life, because, as 1 Cor 6:19-20 reveals, “You are not your own; you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God with your body.” That’s love. That's sanctification. That's what it means to be chosen by God the Father!
🙏Prayer: Heavenly Father, You knew the end from before the beginning. Please forgive my foolish pride when I strive to govern life based on my fears, insecurities, desires, dreams, and delusions. Through the redeeming power and presence of the Holy Spirit, help me to trust in You and Your perfect wisdom in all things. Please teach me to rest in Your sovereign providence, to endure with contentment and faithfulness, and to rejoice (leaning into grace) in faith that You are working all things together for the good of those who love You… for Your immeasurable glory. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Click the following link for a short video version:
Blessings & love,
Kevin M. Kelley
Pastor
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