The Daily Devotional for Saturday, October 28, 2023: The Living Stone

 

The Daily Devotional
Saturday, October 28, 2023

The Living Stone

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him.
1 Peter 2:4 (NIV)

Have you ever looked through low-priced items at a yard sale and dreamed that you might find something of incredible value? It happened in Connecticut when a floral Chinese antique bowl purchased for just $35 at a yard sale was sold at a 2021 auction for more than $700,000. The piece turned out to be a rare, historically significant artifact from the fifteenth century. It’s a stunning reminder that what some people consider of little worth can actually have great value.

Reflection:

In a world filled with shifting sands and ever-changing standards, our human hearts long for something—or Someone—unchanging, steadfast, and true. In this passage, the Apostle Peter introduces us to a powerful image: Jesus as the Living Stone.

It's a paradoxical image. Stones, by nature, are inanimate, cold, and lifeless. Yet, Christ is described as a 'living' stone. He is both foundational, unchanging, and vibrant with life, a source of vitality for all who come to Him.

Peter doesn’t stop there. He reminds us that this living Stone was rejected by humans. The very foundation that could provide stability and purpose was disregarded, underestimated, and dismissed by many. Yet, God’s perspective is not as man’s. What was rejected by men was chosen by God and precious to Him.

Application:

Each of us, at some point in our lives, may feel disregarded or undervalued. We may face rejection or feel like we don't belong. Yet, this passage speaks hope into such moments. Just as Jesus, the cornerstone, was rejected but held immense value in God’s eyes, we too are invaluable in the sight of our Creator. Our worth is not defined by societal standards, peer opinions, or even our self-evaluation. It is defined by our Heavenly Father, who sees us as chosen and precious.

Moreover, as we draw near to the living Stone, we are called to be like Him—living stones, built into a spiritual house. Our lives, anchored in Christ, become a testament to God's grace, a beacon of hope in a world of fleeting promises.

Today, as you navigate the challenges and triumphs of life, remember the Living Stone. Find your grounding in Him, knowing that in the eyes of God, you are chosen and precious. Let this truth inspire you to live with purpose, integrity, and love.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus, the Living Stone, to be our foundation and source of life. In moments of doubt and rejection, remind us of our true value in Your eyes. As we draw near to You, mold us into living stones that reflect Your glory and love to the world around us. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.