Big Words of the Bible - Called and Predestined

TJ Addington‘s Weekday Devos Podcast

Have you ever realized that God had you in mind - yes - you, before the creation of the world took place? In fact, He knew your name, He knew how you were going to be wired, He knew what your personal story and journey would be and even your greatest failures. And knowing all this, He chose you and predestined you for His family.

Listen to these words of Paul in Ephesians 1. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”

This is an amazing truth. I know myself well. Too well. I know my failures and my deep unworthiness. You know yourself and your stuff. And yet, God chose me and He chose you. That is amazing love. That is an indication of how special you are to God. How much He loves you and me!

But even more amazing, He chose us for something. He chose us to be holy and blameless in His sight. In His love he predestined us to become sons and daughters of the King of the universe. He lavished his grace on us along with His redemption and forgiveness. And most amazing of all he gave us something of Himself, the Holy Spirit, as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance in Him.

We often wonder if anyone knows our name. If anyone notices our existence. If we are important in a world of billions of people. The answer is yes. God knew your name before you were. He knew everything about you and He chose you to be a trophy of His amazing grace. How cool is that?

Father, I stand amazed that you knew me before I was and chose me even before you had created this planet. All I can say is thank you. I love you. I want to be a trophy of your amazing grace. Amen.