“We are meant to declare the praises of God in every aspect of our lives.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – August 19, 2023
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9, NIV
In 1 Peter, we are reminded of our true identity as the people of God: “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession.” Taken in isolation, these could easily lead to an inflated ego and elevated sense of self. And, with the Old Testament as our witness, there are plenty of times that they did this very thing, forgetting why they were set apart as God’s chosen people. Yet here in today’s verse, this identity is closely connected to the mission given to the “holy nation,” namely, that they “may declare the praises of him who called (them) out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
Of course, this begs the question, what does it mean to “declare the praises” of God?
For many of us, our first thought might be musical. Many Christian traditions have a custom of “praise music” and expressing adoration to God through song, and by all means this is good and right and to be celebrated! Yet if this is our only vision for a life of praise, our understanding of worship will be greatly limited and isolated to one small part of our lives. In truth, we are meant to declare the praises of God in every aspect of our lives.
As it says in 1 Peter 1:15, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” The primary way we praise God is by living a life that is filled with his life. Holiness in word and deed is our declaration that we are not bound by darkness but are children of the light. This is how we live lives that are worthy of our identity as “God’s special possession.” We are meant to show the world that it is possible to be transformed and renewed by the indwelling Spirit of God, not that they would look upon us as set apart or unapproachable, but that they would see in us the invitation into transformation that is offered to the entire world.
And so, let us declare his praises in song, yes, but also in the pursuit of his presence in every area of our lives.
Prayer
Father, continue your work of grace in our lives, that every day we may be changed more and more into the likeness of your Son, becoming holy just as you are holy. Amen.
Application
Reflect on ways that you can “declare his praises” in your life today.
Related Reading
Exodus 19:4-6; Deuteronomy 7:6; Isaiah 43:20-21
Worship Resource
CityAlight: Only A Holy God
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