July 5

For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” — Rom 9:15 BSB

It’s a great honor to be chosen by God for an important role or a significant task.

Abraham was chosen from among all the people of his time to begin a family that would serve the Lord and receive His grace. Jacob was chosen to be the father of God’s people, to whom divine revelations would be given.

Jesus chose twelve men to be His apostles, training them to become His witnesses after He left. Christ is always choosing men and women for special roles and responsibilities.

In fact, He is always choosing us for something good or beautiful—sometimes for joy, sometimes for sorrow. “You didn’t choose Me,” He says, “but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.”

Whatever we’re chosen for, whether it’s joy or hardship, we know that Christ’s ultimate goal is for us to bear fruit in love and service.