O the wonders couched in electing love!
(James Smith, "GOD'S Special Treasure" 1860)
to the LORD your GOD. Of all the people
on earth--the LORD your GOD has chosen
you to be HIS own special treasure!"
Deuteronomy 7:6
GOD highly prizes HIS people. Yes,
it is impossible to say how highly HE
prizes them. Those are wondrous words,
for HIMSELF, Israel for HIS own
special treasure!" Psalm 135:4
Did the shepherd prize his flock?
GOD calls HIS people, "HIS flock,
HIS beautiful flock."
Does the miser prize his wealth?
GOD says of HIS people,
above all people; for all the earth is mine."
(Exodus 19:5)
Does the prince prize his jewels?
GOD says of HIS people,
I make up MY jewels!" (Malachi 3:17)
Does the bridegroom prize his beloved
and dearly purchased bride? It is written,
so shall your God rejoice over you!"
(Isaiah 62:5c)
Does the reigning monarch prize his crown?
GOD has said,
"You shall be a crown of glory in
the hand of the LORD, and a royal
diadem in the hand of your GOD."
(Isaiah 62:4)
What wondrous love, such expressions
as these represent! How precious must
the LORD'S people be to HIM!
Truly they are HIS special treasure!
GOD CHOSE them to be special unto HIMSELF.
HE chose them out from among others. HE
chose them in preference to others.
He chose them out from others,
on purpose that they may be a special
people unto HIMSELF. And in so doing,
HE acted FREELY. It was not on account
of anything HE saw in them, or on account
of anything HE expected from them; but in
the exercise of HIS most free and holy
sovereignty, HE chose them to participate
in the glory of HIS SON!
In choosing them, HE acted also DELIBERATELY.
It was no hasty choice. HIS thoughts had been
eternally filled with them. HIS heart had
been eternally set upon them. Therefore
HE chose them in CHRIST before
the foundation of the world!
In choosing them, HE acted WISELY--
as HE really desired to have them.
For each one of them is ready to confess
that if GOD had not chosen them--
that they would never have chosen HIM!
The nature regulates the choice; and
as our nature is carnal and impure--
we would never have chosen GOD,
who is spiritual and holy.
HIS choice was just an early expression
of HIS LOVE. The love which chose them--
would do anything for them, and give
anything to them!
Therefore GOD spared not HIS own SON--
but delivered HIM up for them all; and in so
doing, gave them the assurance that HE will
also freely give them all things in CHRIST.
O the wonders couched in electing love!
This act of choosing such creatures as
we are, to be a special people unto
HIMSELF, displays . . .
we are, to be a special people unto
HIMSELF, displays . . .
such grace,
such condescension,
such infinite wisdom and love!
GOD'S election says,
"The LORD loves you!"
Loves us! Yes, and with a love that
is eternal, immutable, sovereign,
infinite, and free!
All the love of GOD is lavished upon
us as HIS special people in CHRIST.
Oh, those wondrous words of JESUS,
even as YOU have loved ME!"
John 17:23
But few among the worldly wise,
But few of nobler race,
Obtain the favor of YOUR eyes,
Almighty KING of grace!
~ ~ ~ ~
GraceGems has published the puritan Thomas Vincent's powerful article,
"Fire and Brimstone in Hell, to Burn the Wicked!"
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