“The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise.” (Isaiah 42:21)
This little verse is packed with insight that should inform and direct each of our lives as God’s people:
First of all, it tells us where we came from: “The people whom I formed.” We did not “evolve” or arrive by chance. The God of the Bible made us, “formed” us. Psalm 139 tells us that He sculpted our inward parts. We were created by God.
But the verse not only indicates WHO made us, but WHY: “The people whom I formed for myself.” Why did God make us? It says He made us “FOR HIMSELF.” God designed us to have a personal relationship with Him. Psalm 149 describes this relationship: “Let Israel be glad in his Maker … For the LORD takes pleasure in His people.” (:2 & 4)
God also made us for a certain task: to “declare His praise.” We do not exist to make a lot of money, or to “make a name for ourselves.” Rather, we exist to declare God’s praise in the world.
Knowing Who made us, WHY He made us, and WHAT He made us for, can radically impact our lives, and give clarity to many of our choices and decisions. It should also bring us to self-examination. If God made us for Himself, for the purpose of declaring His praise to the world — then we ought to ask ourselves how well we are doing what He created us for?
shawnethomas 
Truly this verse is packed with so much but very succinct. Highlighting in my Bible and making three little word notes-Creator, relationship, proclamation. Thanks for your blog, Pastor Shawn. Your devotionals inspire and encourage me in my personal walk with the Lord.
Thank you, Alan, for your continual encouragement to me, and for your example of one who continues to desire to learn and grow spiritually!
Thanks a lot Pastor Shawn. I’ve been reading from your blog and learned a lot from these. God be praised! With this scripture today, wow, “how well I am doing what He created me for?” a timely reminder…Lord, have mercy.
-Mike from the Philippines