Devotional Word for Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Today, I’d like for us to consider the immense privilege of being part of the people of God. In our everyday life we can lose sight of just what it is that God has done, is doing, and shall do with us – and by “us” I mean as individuals and as a corporate body. There is a passage of Scripture that will help us focus on this a bit better. It is Ephesians 2:19-22. Here it is:
. . . but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
How often do you think about the fact that – as a Christian – you are part of God’s household? We need to remember that fact! Household means family. It means close relationships. It means a shared inheritance. We are fellow citizens with the saints. That means with Abel and Abraham and Mary Magdalene and Martin Luther and Rose Stunkel my Sunday School teacher when I was young boy. Our stories and lives are intertwined. That’s because the head of the household, the One to whom we all look, is God. It’s His household. We have a home. We have stability. We have joys and expectations and assurances. We have duties and responsibilities. We have an identity. We are part of God’s family.
Regardless of all the different ages and locations and circumstances in which members of God’s household have lived, our text tells us we have a common foundation. That foundation is the apostles and prophets, that is, the writings of the OT and NT. When we look for family help, we look to the Bible. That’s where we find encouragement, wisdom, examples to learn from, and rock-solid truths to build our lives on. The focal point of all Scripture is Jesus Christ. He is the One who redeems us and makes us part of God’s household. Without Jesus Christ there would be no house! He’s the Cornerstone, He ties it all together. We are a people of the Word of God, the Bible, and the Bible from Genesis to Revelation is about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Here is an amazing thing: we are part of God’s household, but we also are the place where He dwells! Here’s the way I think of that. Each of us is a little brick, a little stone. Throughout our lives God is fashioning each one of us exactly according to His plan. He knows precisely where He intends to place us in the house He’s building. God uses the circumstances of our lives to shape us according to His perfect plan. The fit will be perfect! Don’t forget, the house is where He dwells, where His presence and glory and power reside. God’s house is glorious. It shows forth who He is: His beauty, His goodness, and His truth. We are part of that house.
Today, let’s remember and give thanks for these three truths: 1) We are part of God’s family, fellow citizens with the saints through the ages; 2) We are a people of the Word, the Bible, which from beginning to end is about Jesus; and 3) We are being built into a dwelling for God in the Spirit. We are His workmanship. These truths give us great comfort, hope, and joy.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we are overwhelmed at Your goodness to us. You have redeemed us and made us Your own. You bless our lives with Your presence, and shape our lives for Your glory. Thank You for making us to be part of Your people. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.