God is particular. Let us take hold of and maintain that truth with all of our strength. Every day we are bombarded with a denial of this truth. On bumper stickers, over the radio, from off the pulpit, and displayed where passers-by may read it, these unscriptural words are presented: "Smile, God loves you."
Whosoever reads or hears these words is supposed to be the object of God's love; and it is shouted out that Christ died so that every one who hears them has a chance to be saved. But let us get it deeply into our souls that God is not a gambler or a beggar. He is not one who strives to get His way and to save as many as He can. He chose certain definite people and sent Christ to die only for their sins. As clear as you could want it, He through Paul tells us in Romans 9:11-13 that before they were born, or had done good or evil, it was stated that the elder should serve the younger, "For Jacob have I loved and Esau have I hated."
The Psalms also speak of a particular atonement. For we read in Psalm 135:3, 4, "Praise the Lord: for the Lord is good: sing praises unto His name; for it is pleasant. For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto Himself, and Israel for His peculiar treasure." And plainly Israel consisted of a relatively small part of the human race in the Old Testament dispensation. God's election then was very particular. And the blood of Christ would be shed for a very particular people.
Jesus said that same truth in John 10:15, "As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My life for the sheep." THAT is very particular, for there were wolves as well as sheep, and the atonement is only for the sheep.
Sing this truth then in the words of our versification:
O praise ye the Lord for His goodness;
'Tis pleasant His praises to sing;
His people, His chosen and precious,
Your praises in gratitude bring.
Read: Psalm 135
Psalter versification: 374:2
(Words and Music of the Psalter)
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Joshua 7:16-26 ; Joshua 8; Joshua 9:1-2
Luke 16:1-18
Psalm 82:1-8
Proverbs 13:2-3
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Quote for Reflection:
“With a view to the truth, we also instruct the youth of the congregation. We do this in common. Don’t think that the consistory or the minister instructs the youth; the congregation does. It is the common calling of the congregation. With a view to preserving the truth, we have societies for Bible study. As an organism, we have Christian schools. Supporting Christian schools belongs to our common calling to maintain the truth…. Because there are many things that we do together, the apostle exhorts, “Be of the same mind.” (Romans 12:16).” -Herman Hoeksema
Additional Info
- Date: 13-April