God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace. — 1 Peter 1:2 NLT

Key Thought

The story of the prophet Isaiah’s calling by God is glorious and moving (Isaiah 6:1-8). He recognizes his sinfulness and unworthiness to be used by God and is cleansed by seraphim who came from the very presence of God himself. This cleansing made him holy and qualified him to serve God. In today’s passage, Peter reminds us that what God did with Isaiah, he has also done with us through the Holy Spirit and the blood of Jesus. We are cleansed and made holy! And, God did it on purpose, based on his planning long ago. Because of these gifts of grace, we offer ourselves in obedience and service to God, finding that his grace and peace overflow into our lives. Let’s never forget that we are cleansed by Jesus’ sacrifice, made holy by the Holy Spirit, and chosen by God to do his work in our world!

Today’s Prayer

Holy God, I confess that I don’t often think of myself as holy. But as I remember that you live inside me through the Holy Spirit and as I ponder the awesome sacrifice of Jesus to cleanse me, I am convicted that I have not sought to live as your holy person as passionately as I should have. Please forgive me for treating your holiness within me as something common. I pledge my devotion to serving you with holiness with all the power the Holy Spirit provides. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.