Forever Faithful 10-Day DevotionalExemplo

Greater Than Our History

Those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. -Romans 8:29

Young Black filmmakers, such as Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King), J. D. Dillard (Devotion), and Chinonye Chukwu (Till) are making history by bringing to light untold stories of the trials and triumphs of Black people.

Their films tell stories of a people whose history does not begin and end with slavery but rather with nobility.

As we consider these films’ inspiring messages—respectively, royal African heritage; the soaring career of the Navy’s first Black fighter pilot; and a mother who by faith overcame the disfiguring, brutal death of her beloved only son—we are reminded of who Black people are and prompted to consider who each of us can become.

As individuals, when we become believers in Jesus Christ, we are granted nobility as “co-heirs” (Romans 8:17). We are lifted to “heavenly realms in Christ” (Ephesians 2:6).

This is made possible by the faithfulness of God through the suffering and death of God’s one and only Son (John 3:16).

However great the history and the achievements God allows Black people, these glories cannot be compared to the glory God has destined for all of us who believe and whom He conforms to the image of His Son.

The same God who knew what we would both suffer and achieve in this life is the same God who foreknew us and gave us His Son so that we might become like Him. Our destiny is, indeed, greater than our history!

Melanie Johnson

How can you find ways to celebrate both the great history of Black people and the destiny that God has made possible for you through Jesus?

Heavenly Father, I thank You for my history, and for the glorious destiny of being conformed to the image of your Son.