Evening, February 2
Go To Morning Reading
“And these are ancient things.”
1 Chronicles 4:22
Yet not so ancient as those precious things which are the delight
of our souls. Let us for a moment recount them, telling them over
as misers count their gold. The sovereign choice of the Father, by which he elected us unto eternal life, or ever
the earth was, is a matter of vast antiquity, since no date can be
conceived for it by the mind of man. We were chosen from before the
foundations of the world. Everlasting love went with the choice, for it was not a bare act of divine will by
which we were set apart, but the divine affections were concerned.
The Father loved us in and from the beginning. Here is a theme for
daily contemplation. The eternal purpose to redeem us from our foreseen ruin, to cleanse and sanctify us,
and at last to glorify us, was of infinite antiquity, and runs side
by side with immutable love and absolute sovereignty. The covenant is always described as being everlasting, and Jesus, the second party
in it, had his goings forth of old; he struck hands in sacred suretyship
long ere the first of the stars began to shine, and it was in him
that the elect were ordained unto eternal life. Thus in the divine
purpose a most blessed covenant union was established between the
Son of God and his elect people, which will remain as the foundation
of their safety when time shall be no more. Is it not well to be conversant
with these ancient things? Is it not shameful that they should be
so much neglected and even rejected by the bulk of professors? If
they knew more of their own sin, would they not be more ready to adore
distinguishing grace? Let us both admire and adore tonight, as we
sing—
“A monument of grace,
A sinner saved by blood;
The streams of love I trace
Up to the Fountain, God;
And in his sacred bosom see
Eternal thoughts of Love to me.”