“I didn’t know you, I had just heard your name,” She flipped open her Bible and continued, “I started praying for you! I had heard all of these things about you, about the mistakes you had made, and about what kind of person you were.”
I could only image what she had heard. Stories of my choices and my actions always seemed to be greatly exaggerated. Whether or not it was good or bad, I wasn’t sure I could live up to her expectations.
“But,” she broke my thoughts off again, “I wanted to know you. So I asked God to show me who you were. Now that I know you, I understand what God showed me.” She thumbed through the pages and looked up again, “Do you mind if I read it to you?”
“No, I don’t mind at all. Please do!”
Her were bold as she read the word of God, “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?’” She paused, “Travis, that’s you. Satan is determined to destroy you and fill you with shame over the past, but that’s not who God sees. Satan is determined to sift you, but God won’t have it!”
With that, she knocked the wind out of me.
Her hand moved over the scripture and she began reading again, “Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said to those who were standing before him, ‘Remove the filthy garments from him.’ And to him he said, ‘Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.’ And I said, ‘Let them put a clean turban on his head.’ So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments.” She looked up again and into my eyes, “God has clothed you in his righteousness. He’s taken all the shame and washed it away. You have been made clean!”
My mouth opened as I still found it difficult to catch my breath.
Again she found her place, “And the angel of the Lord was standing by. And the angel of the Lord solemnly assured Joshua, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. You are his chosen one’” the Bible shut softly between her aged hands and she placed it back on the end table. Her eyes again pierced mine and she slid forward to the edge of her recliner. “That is you!” The statement was so emphatic it physically struck me across my chest and pushed back. “You are his chosen one.”
My eyes began to water, Father, who do you see?. How can you hold me in such esteem? Who am I that you are mindful of me?
“Travis, I know what you have been through and what has been done. God speaks through prophecy and his word, and this isn’t just applicable to Joseph. He told me it was you! I know how Satan is determined to see you fail, but you are God’s chosen one. The only thing he asks of you is that you follow him, walk in his ways, and keep his commands.”
I am his chosen one! The words pounded through my head.
This morning I remembered those words. My Father reminded me. He showed a then complete stranger who I was so that I could know. It’s very humbling hearing that God looks at you in a way you do not deserve. It makes the blood spent on the cross that much more visible. For it can only be by the blood of Christ that he sees me in such a way.
For it is by the grace of God alone that I could carry this name this title. Lord, it is by your act upon the cross that I may stand today and say with boldness, “I am his chosen one!”