When you believe in Jesus and follow him, it shows that God is working in you (Philippians 1:13) and that already long ago he loved you and chose you (1 Thessalonians 1:4) and appointed you to eternal life (Acts 13:49). Your decision about the Lord flows out of a decision he made about you even before he created the world (Ephesians 1:4). This is humbling and encouraging.

Knowing God chose you is humbling, for his choice did not depend on anything he saw in you. "God chose the foolish things... the weak things... and the despised things... so that no one may boast before him" (1 Corinthians 1:27-30). God's choice was based not on our worth but on his love: "In love he predestined us" (Ephesians 1:4-5).

Knowing God chose you is also encouraging. If salvation depended on your choice and will, faith would collapse. But salvation springs from God's choice and will, so faith stands secure. Jesus said, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day... I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand" (John 6:44; 10:28-29).

If you trust and obey Jesus, then be humbled and encouraged by his words: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last" (John 15:16).

PRAYER--Father, we praise your glorious grace for choosing us in Christ and loving us with an everlasting love. Keep us in that love, as you have promised, for Jesus' sake. Amen.