Evening, February 2
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
1 Chronicles 4:22
"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."