4 For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love

5 He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will,

9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,

10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.

— Ephesians 1:4-5; 9-10

He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.

— 2 Timothy 1:9

13 as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

14 He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

— Titus 2:13-14

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

God has purposefully redeemed and saved us for His eternal will and plan. He has been making us as His workmanship in Christ to express His multifarious wisdom, absolute sovereignty and unspeakable glory. Like Daniel, God enables us to faithfully live for Him in a godless culture. Like Esther, God causes us to recognize where He has placed us and the work He has delegated to us. Like Nehemiah, we labor to build His kingdom rather than only selfishly seek comfortable lives. Like God’s prophets, we stand for God even when those around us reject Him.

However, we cannot please God until He transforms us from the inside out. God requires a transformation of the heart to please Him. Humanity’s fallen nature means our desires and motives are self-centered, making it impossible to genuinely honor Him through our own efforts. Our true obedience requires a renewed mind. And God’s Spirit helps us love God more than our desire for our own comfort or other approval. Praise the Lord! God works within us what He requires of us.