A People Formed for a Purpose

A People Formed for a Purpose

     “But yet are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.”  With title upon title, strung together like pearls on a silver thread, Peter ascribes the people of God.  It is an old, familiar, and exciting theme.  God used the concept in the days when He inspired Isaiah to write his prophecy.  What was true of Israel of old is true of us who are spiritual Israel today, in this respect: God has formed us into a people for the purpose of our bringing praise to Him.  It is important that we understand that we are the people whom God has formed.  He had it upon His heart to form us personally and corporately.  By glorification, He will form us eternally.  He has formed us with the greatest purpose in view – – for Himself.

     We exist as a people for God.  That is our raison d’etre; hence, the exhortation “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”  The writers of the Westminster Shorter Catechism summarized it well when they answered the question “What is man’s chief end?” with the response “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.  God’s people alone fulfill that purpose in its fullest implication.  God Himself declares in our text that “they shall show forth my praise.”  We will bring praise to the God who has formed us for that purpose.  We will bring Him praise in our work and in our worship;  In our songs and in our sorrows; in our youth and in our age; in our closet and in the street; on our own and in company.  With everything else that does so, we will praise God with all we are and have.  We will bring praise to God; for so He has purposed it, and so He will perform it.  Our praise to Him has begun in time, and will continue throughout eternity.  How will you go about praising Him today?

Where the Bush is Burning
Tomm Tice