God’s Election
The Source and Cause of all Blessedness
Psalm
65:4
God’s choice and election of his people is
not the result of something we do, but the cause of everything he does for us
in Christ. In Psalm 65:4, election is spoken of as being in the present tense,
though it was done before the world began, because this great work of grace is
known and experienced in time. No one knows his election until he has been
effectually called by the Holy Spirit to life and faith in Christ.
Notice
the progression of grace running through this verse of Scripture. "Blessed
is the man whom thou choosest.” That is election. God chose to save
some in eternity; and those whom he chose to save in eternity he graciously
cuts out from the rest of mankind in time, like a rancher at round up time cuts
his own cattle out of the many roaming the open range. They were his cattle
before. He simply rounds them up at the appointed time.
“And causest to approach
unto thee.” This refers to irresistible, saving grace, the effectual call of God
the Holy Spirit. Election both precedes and is the source and cause of this
call. Look at the next line.
“That he may dwell in thy
courts.” Sinners
chosen and called by grace are caused to dwell, not to visit, but to dwell in
the courts of Divine worship. Those who are chosen and called by the grace of
God to life and faith in Christ, are kept and preserved by that same grace unto
eternal glory.
Moreover, election is the
source and cause of the everlasting happiness and satisfaction of God’s saints
in heaven. “We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy
holy temple." The house and temple of God in the Old Testament
were typical of and representations of Christ and heaven, of God’s salvation
and our everlasting nearness to and worship of him. This is true blessedness;
and this blessedness, according to Holy Scripture, arises from and is
effectually caused by God’s election of his people unto salvation in Christ
before the world began.
No wonder David sang, “O the blessedness of the man whom thou
choosest and causest to approach unto thee.” No wonder God’s election was
so much on his mind and heart. It was the thought of God’s election that made
him leap and dance before the ark of God (2 Sam. 6:21). It was the fact of his election
by God unto salvation and eternal life in Christ that sustained his heart and
rejoiced his soul as he lay upon his deathbed. Indeed, this is a doctrine full
of joy and comfort to every child of God. As we conclude the year that is past
and anticipate the beginning of another by God’s wise and good providence, we
cannot do so in a more profitable, God honoring manner than this - Let us bless
and praise him for his free, electing love in Christ, the fountain of all past
blessedness and the guarantee of all future blessedness for his people. God
does everything in accordance with his electing love toward us.
Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Grace For
Today Radio Message #756
2734 Old Stanford Road -
Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438
Donald S.
Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 606-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net