Called out of darkness for a purpose

1 Peter 2:9. Peter tells his readers that they are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession. Each phrase is lifted from Exodus 19, where God speaks to Israel at the foot of the mountain. Now it is spoken to small groups of believers scattered through provinces where they had no standing and no protection.

The verse does not end with the titles. It ends with a purpose. They were called out of darkness into his wonderful light so that they might declare his praises. Identity leads to declaration. What God has made us is meant to be said out loud.

On a Saturday, it is worth sitting with the darkness Peter mentions. He does not describe it. He simply assumes his readers remember it. You may remember your own. Whatever it was, the call out of it was not a small thing, and the light is not ordinary light. It is wonderful. A people who know that will find something to say.