Psalm 33:12  “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.”

[Blessed is way too weak a word for the wonder of being the people of God, being chosen for His inheritance, being included in His Kingdom and future.

These great privileges are highlighted when I consider what I actually deserved as an enemy of God, incapable in myself of obeying you. You would have been right and righteous to strike me down upon birth, sending me to hell and separating yourself from me for eternity.

Yet you called me to be one of your children, a princeling in your family. You cleansed and transformed me, you chose and cherished me, and I stand before you dearly loved, deeply cared for, doted on and delighted in. Not because of what I am, but because of who you are: Love itself, Light itself, Life itself, breathing new creation into a life born a ruin, giving worth to what was destructive, making useful what was dangerous.

To belong to you, O Holy God, is a marvelous shift of fortune, a wonderful change of status, an undeserved privilege of grace, a miraculous outcome—all dependent on your goodness. Praise be to you that you gave worth where there was waste, you gave value where there was viciousness, you gave life where there was death. In you we are wanted, worthwhile, wondered about and watched over. To be your people is a privilege beyond comprehension.

To think on this brings praise to my lips. Praise is your due, praise is our privilege, praise is our gift, praise is our joy. You are worthy, O Lord, in every way.

So we eagerly give you glory, honor and praise for the incredible goodness of your heart, the unbelievable forgiveness of your character, the incomprehensible love of your being.  We bow before you in thankfulness, gratitude and joy. We rise up to return your love in obedience, rejoicing and praise. Glory be to you in our lives today. Amen.