Today’s devotion comes from Acts 22:12-16.
“A certain Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me, and standing near said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very time I looked up at him. And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard. Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’” Acts 22:12-16.
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God appointed Paul to “know”, “see”, “hear”, and “do” certain things. Verses 14-15. See also Acts 22:10.
But, God did not only appoint Paul, God also appointed us.
“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.” John 15:16.
“… and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.” Acts 13:48.
But, there is more!
“Appointed” is defined by Merriam Webster as: “1: chosen for a particular job 2: officially fixed or set 3: provided with complete and usually appropriate or elegant furnishings and equipment”.
Let us not neglect all the wonderful promises to us whom God has chosen.
Let us also not be like those who are ashamed of the gospel, those who reject or minimize God’s choice a/k/a God’s election a/k/a God’s predestination. But, rather let us joyfully seek out and embrace God’s election, knowing that “election is the fountain of every saving good; from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself”. Article 9 of FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination of Canons of Dordt.
“… and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.” Acts 13:48.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32.
“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” Deuteronomy 7:6 and Deuteronomy 14:2.
“43 And He brought forth His people with joy,
His chosen ones with a joyful shout.
44 He gave them also the lands of the nations,
That they might take possession of the fruit of the peoples’ labor,
45 So that they might keep His statutes
And observe His laws,
Praise the LORD!” Psalm 105:43-45.
“10 “You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD,
“And My servant whom I have chosen,
So that you may know and believe Me
And understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed,
And there will be none after Me.
11 “I, even I, am the LORD,
And there is no savior besides Me.” Isaiah 43:10-11.
“But now listen, O Jacob, My servant,
And Israel, whom I have chosen:
2 Thus says the LORD who made you
And formed you from the womb, who will help you,
‘Do not fear, O Jacob My servant;
And you Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
3 ‘For I will pour out water on the thirsty land
And streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring
And My blessing on your descendants;” Isaiah 44:1-3.
“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13.
“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.” 1 Peter 2:9-10.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 