You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you . . . into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
A news article in May 1970 contained one of the first uses of the idiom “on the bubble.” Referring to a state of uncertainty, the expression was used in relation to rookie race car driver Steve Krisiloff. He’d been “on the bubble,” having posted a slow qualifying lap for the Indianapolis 500. Later, it was confirmed that his time—though the slowest of those who qualified—allowed him to compete in the race.
We can feel at times that we’re “on the bubble,” uncertain we have what it takes to compete in or finish the race of life. When we’re feeling that way, it’s important to remember that in Jesus we’re never “on the bubble.” As children of God, our place in His kingdom is secure (John 14:3). Our confidence flows from Him who chose Jesus to be the “cornerstone” on which our lives are built, and He chose us to be “living stones” filled with the Spirit of God, capable of being the people God created us to be (1 Peter 2:5–6).
In Christ, our future is secure as we hope in and follow Him (v. 6). For “[we] are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that [we] may declare the praises of him who called [us] out of darkness into his wonderful light” (v. 9).
In Jesus’ eyes we’re not “on the bubble.” We’re precious and loved (v. 4).
In what areas of life have you found yourself “on the bubble” and struggling with uncertainty? What can you do to regain your confidence in Jesus?
Father God, when disappointments threaten to undermine my identity as Your child, remind me to put my hope and confidence in You alone.
INSIGHT
Peter wrote this letter to an audience experiencing difficulty because of persecution and in need of encouragement. His solution? To remind them of their identity as believers in Jesus.
Pulling from two passages in the Old Testament, Peter uses several phrases to describe the new identity of those who once “were not a people” (1 Peter 2:10). From Exodus 19:6, a passage that precedes the receiving of the Ten Commandments, Peter tells his readers that they’re “a royal priesthood” and a “holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9). From Isaiah 43:20–21, he tells them they’re a “chosen people” to “declare [God’s] praises” (1 Peter 2:9). Peter reminds his readers, and us, that like Israel who preceded them, they’re the special possession of God through His redemptive act.