THE SEED
“I formed [my people] for myself that they may proclaim my praise.” Isaiah 43:21
“Why are we here?” The question is not limited to philosophers and theologians. And it’s not only “Why are we (humanity) here?” The question is more personal: “Why am I here?” Through Isaiah and Peter, God gives the same answer. God says he formed his people for himself, that we may proclaim his praise, and we “are a chosen people … God’s special possession,” that we may “declare [his] praises.” The truth stands today for all God’s people. And each one who believes is a valued part of this people (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). We have been formed for God’s praise, informed about Christ for his praise, and conformed to Christ for his praise. We are also being transformed by Christ for his praise. There are no exceptions. Every thought, every action and attitude, every glance, every memory and desire, every plan and hope—all are to be for his praise and only for his praise. And here is an amazing truth. Though our sin brings sorrow and detracts from praising God, it is forgiven so that we may give God praise. “In [Jesus] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins … for the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:7, 12).
BIBLE READING: 1 PETER 2:9-10
PRAYER: Father, may our worship and our lives be filled with your praise. In Christ our hope, Amen.
A DA ENIYAN FUN IYIN
IRUGBIN NAA
“Emi da [awọn eniyan mi] fun ara mi, ki nwọn ki o le ma polongo iyìn mi.” Aísáyà 43:21
“Kini idi ti a fi wa nibi?” Ibeere naa ko ni opin si awọn onimọ-ijinlẹ ati awọn akeko Oro Ọlorun. Ati pe kii ṣe “Kilode ti awa (eda eniyan) wa nibi nikan?” Ibeere naa jẹ ti ara ẹni: “Kini idi ti Mo Fi wa nibi?” Nipase Aisaya atí Peteru, Ọlorun dahun ibeere naa. Ọlorun sọ pé òun dá àwọn èèyàn òun fún ara rẹ̀, kí a lè pòkìkí ìyìn rẹ̀, àti pé “a je ènìyàn àyànfẹ́ . . . Oun ini Ọlorun to se pataki, ki a le maa yin n logo. Otitọ duro loni fun gbogbo awọn eniyan Ọlọrun. Ati olukuluku ẹniti o gbagbọ jẹ ẹya iyebiye ti awọn eniyan yi (1 Korinti 12: 12-27). A ti ṣẹ̀dá wa fún ìyìn Ọlọrun, ní ìsọfúnni nípa Kristi fún ìyìn rẹ̀, a sì ti fara wé Kristi fún ìyìn rẹ̀. A tun n yipada nipasẹ Kristi fun iyin rẹ. Ko si ayokuro. Gbogbo ero, gbogbo iṣe ati iwa, gbogbo iwoye, gbogbo iranti ati ifẹ okan, gbogbo eto ati ireti — gbogbo rẹ ni lati jẹ fun iyin rẹ ati fun iyin rẹ nikan. Ati pe eyi jẹ otitọ iyalẹnu kan. Bó tilẹ̀ je pé ẹ̀ṣẹ̀ wa máa ń mú ìbànúje wá, tó sì ń mu Okan wa kuro ninu yinyin Ọlorun lógo, a dárí jì wá ká lè fi ìyìn fún Ọlorun. “Ninu [Jesu] a ni irapada nipa ẹjẹ rẹ, idariji awọn ẹṣẹ… fun iyin ti ogo rẹ” (Efesu 1: 7, 12).
BIBELI KIKA: 1 PÉTÉRÙ 2:9-10
ADURA: Baba, je ki ijosin wa ati aye wa kun fun iyin re. Ninu Kristi ireti wa Amin.