Evening, February 2, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“And the words are ancient.” — 1 Chronicles 4:22

Ancient, yes, yet not so ancient as those precious words which are the delight of our souls. Let us for a moment recount them, telling them again as misers count their gold. The sovereign choice of the Father, by which he elected us into eternal life, is a matter of vast antiquity, since no date can be conceived for it by the mind of man, even as ever long the earth was. We were chosen from before the foundations of the world. Everlasting love went with the choice, for it was not a simple act of divine will by which we were set apart, but His divine affection was involved. The Father loved us always 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 unchangeable love and absolute sovereignty. The covenant is always described as being everlasting, and Jesus, the second party in it, had His going forth from long ago, from the days of eternity; he struck hands in sacred contract long before the first of the stars began to shine, and it was in him that the elect were ordained to eternal life. Thus, in the divine purpose a most hallowed 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 acquainted with these ancient things? Is it not shameful that they should be so much neglected and even rejected by the bulk of those who profess? If they knew more of their own sin, would they not be readier 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.”