This is the Upper Room Devotional for January 14, 2025. The topic is How Does God See You? and it is brought to you by Upper Room Ministries as written by Hedina Ojwang.

You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. – 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

TODAY’S READING: 1 Peter 2:4-10

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: God’s opinion of me is what matters most.

I have struggled with speaking highly of myself. I always felt I was not good enough, even from a young age — not good enough to be successful, to fit in, to be appreciated, even to be loved. Most of these thoughts came from other people’s opinions of me. But why do we think who we are depends on what others say about us?

Do we ever think about what God thinks of us? Do we believe in what God sees in us? God has already made it clear in scripture who we are. Today’s quoted scripture reminds us that we are “a chosen people.” It’s up to us to believe and embrace that truth.

God chooses us out of unconditional love — not our social status or physical appearance. Understanding who we are in God’s heart allows us to appreciate, accept, and love ourselves, as well as those around us.

TODAY’S PRAYER:

Dear God, help us always to know that our identity can be found in you. Remind us that we are your beloved and cherished people. Amen.

About Upper Room Daily Devotional

The Upper Room® is a worldwide group that helps Christians grow in their faith and connect with God better. It started in 1935 as a daily reading guide and has since expanded to include books, programs, prayer support, and other tools. These resources are designed to help people of all ages and backgrounds deepen their faith and serve others more.