Read 1 Peter 1:1-2

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To God's elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:

Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

Reflect

Because of persecution in and around Jerusalem, Jewish Christians dispersed throughout the Roman world. God used this potentially alienating scattering to bring the good news of the gospel to the entire empire. Peter, the first disciple to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, reminds Christ-followers of their true identity: chosen by God, sanctified through his Spirit, and redeemed forever by Jesus' death and resurrection.

Respond

What if you began your day as though Peter's declaration had been hand delivered to you? "To (your name), who has been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance." What strength might you find? What petty concerns might fade?