Day 2: I am Chosen

A few years ago my husband and I went through one of the roughest seasons of our marriage. We dated for 5 years before we got married; by year 2 of our marriage, a combination of childhood and church trauma left us broken and vulnerable.

In that season he wrote me a song that I still cherish when we endure hard times. Comprised of just a few lines, it was enough to let me know there was hope buried under the mess. He titled it “I’d choose you again.”

Through it all, deep down, I was still his choice. The thought still moves me to tears.

Even this tender act of love from my spouse cannot compare to the passion of our heavenly Father’s choice to love us.

God looks at us and sees every single mistake. Every moment where our hearts would stray and choose another, moments of outright refusal, and yet He still pursues us.

He always chooses us.

When we didn’t deserve it, and with a love, we could never earn, He set out to bring us close to him. This first promise we see in this chapter is simple - a promise of love and access through our faith in Jesus.

This intimacy is a part of our identity and is the bedrock of who we are. It is in being close to God that we gain access to everything we need. We are full because in Him is the “fullness of joy.” (Ps 16:11) Access to Him is all we will ever require.

He chose us for adoption before the earth began for two reasons:

1. To be holy and blameless in love (vs 4). He brought us close to himself, washing us with His love, and making us new. His love set us free, and He will continue to renew us, redeeming us bit by bit until the work is done.
2. For his good pleasure. (vs 5). He did it because he wanted to do it. Nothing brings Him more joy than to hold His children to himself again, reclaiming what sin once separated.

When I heard my husband’s song, it moved me. I was undone, overflowing with tears of thankfulness for that gift. Our hearts should be undone too in light of God’s work. For Him, a constant stream of gratitude and praise should be our response too.

Praise is the only worthy response to love like this. One uttered not just in words on Sunday but lived with joy our whole life through.

Affirmation-

I am the beloved of God. Lavished in love and pursued with grace and mercy. I walk confidently because I am chosen, redeemed, and supplied with everything my spirit needs to thrive in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Reflection Questions-

You are chosen by God. How does your thinking change as you reflect on the notion that you were always His choice and a part of His plan? How does knowing this about God’s love change or affirm how you feel about yourself?