“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.
“The Lord your God will keep with you the covenant and the steadfast love that he swore to your fathers. He will love you, bless you, and multiply you… You shall be blessed above all peoples.” Deuteronomy 7:6-9,12-13a,14a
“There is none who does good,
not even one.” Psalm 14:3
“You did not choose me, but I chose you.” John 15:16a
From the outset, God wanted His people to know that they were chosen, and why. He selected Abraham from a heathen background to come out from Ur, then Haran, to be a new nation in a new land, a new relationship, a new faith, a new purpose. He set His affection on them and set them apart to bring blessing to the world, ultimately His word and the Living Word, Jesus. His lure of their will and the light of His face would lead them. The call, the choice, the regeneration was all of Him; the obedience was Abraham’s. (Genesis 11:31-12:4a; Psalm 89:15,28,33-34)
Man likes to think of himself more highly than he ought. It feels good to compare ourselves with others and come out on top: more righteous, superior in knowledge, experience, strength. The better we are, the more we deserve. Hard work, latent talent, successes all contribute to an inflated self-esteem. But before Almighty God we are put in our place. We’ve all fallen short of His glory and perfection, and deserve not His favor. (Romans 3:23; 12:3)
His grace shines into our dark flesh to awaken faith. His undeserved mercy woos and transforms us to realize we are loved because He is loving, and love itself, not because we have earned it. (Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 John 4:8)
When did we last marvel at the deep love of the Father, allowing it to soak in and invigorate our love for Him and others? Would we spend alone time in meditation or song? When have we last confessed our smugness in thinking we deserve His affection? How does security in His steadfast love embolden our confidence and hope, and free us to love others?
“I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart –
His wounds have paid my ransom.” ~Stuart Townend (1995)
Lord, may I sing of Your steadfast love forever, and live as Your chosen to bring You the glory You deserve. (Psalm 89:1)
As the rain and snow 