Lord God,
You are the One who chooses.
You set Your affection on Israel,
not because they were many,
but because You loved them.
Your choice was not earned,
Your covenant not deserved
it was mercy,
pure and steadfast.
You are the God who keeps covenant to a thousand generations,
who remembers His promises when we forget,
who remains faithful even when we are faithless.
You are not a God of chance or change.
You are the same yesterday, today, and forever
a God whose love is both sovereign and sure.
I confess, Lord,
that I forget the wonder of being chosen.
I grow proud, as if Your grace were my accomplishment,
or discouraged, as if Your love were uncertain.
But You remind me again
I am loved not because I am worthy,
but because You are good.
I am kept not because I am strong,
but because Your covenant stands firm.
You called Israel to destroy the idols of the nations,
to make no covenants with compromise,
to show no mercy to what would enslave their hearts.
So too, Lord,
tear down my idols
those subtle altars to self,
those silent agreements with sin.
Let no rival dwell beside Your throne.
Purify my loyalties until You alone are my delight.
You said, “You are a holy people to the Lord your God.”
So set me apart, Lord,
not in pride,
but in purity.
Let holiness mark my life
as belonging to You alone.
When the world tempts me to blend in,
remind me that love for You means separation from what defiles.
Make me bold to live distinct,
but humble to live dependent
holy, yet human, held fast by grace.
You promised Israel that obedience would bring blessing,
that faithfulness would lead to fruitfulness.
And though we no longer stand beneath Sinai,
Your heart is the same
You still delight to bless those who trust You.
So bless me, Lord,
not with comfort,
but with closeness.
Not with ease,
but with endurance.
Let my life overflow with the fruit of faith
love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
the covenant character of Christ in me.
You also warned that fear must be cast down.
“Do not be afraid of them,” You said,
“for the Lord your God fights for you.”
O God,
when enemies rise,
when obstacles loom large,
remind me that You are the Warrior of my salvation.
Your outstretched arm has not grown weary.
You are the same God who shattered Pharaoh’s pride
and led Your people through walls of water.
Fight for me, Lord.
Go before me.
And when fear whispers lies,
let faith answer with Your name.
You are the God who chooses,
the God who keeps,
the God who conquers.
So keep me, Lord, in Your steadfast love.
Count me among the covenant-keepers
not by my perfection,
but by Christ’s obedience.
Let Your faithful love define me more than my failures.
Let Your covenant grace sustain me until I see Your face.
In the name of Jesus,
the Chosen One,
the Keeper of every promise,
and the Victor over every foe,
Amen.