He chose us in him before the foundation of the world. – Ephesians 1:4
Who do you look like… a parent, an uncle, a person you’ve only seen in a book of photographs? Most people long to understand their heritage, so much that entire television programs are designed to share the joy of watching someone discover their ancestral history for the first time. But as with all stories, it’s always best to start in the beginning.
The Bible says before you were someone’s child, YOU were God’s idea, every nuance, the parts you like, and the parts you hide. However, as you look for family resemblance with your Creator, you may be dismayed to discover, He is perfect and good, holy and powerful, and you obviously are not! That’s where God goes the extra mile to outline the family tree for you.
Spiritual family resemblance will not be found in photos, it will be seen in your heart. “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith” (Galatians 3:26). Through faith in Christ, you can see your Father clearly. “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). And it’s okay to double-check your place in the family. “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1John 5:13).
Give thanks today for God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ and your place in that story. Pray for America’s newly installed public servants to also find their identity in God’s plan. Ask that they will seek Him daily as they assume their roles and govern America.
Today’s Verse: Ephesians 1:4
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him, in love
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: John 1:9-13
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
