Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 27-29, Psalms 68
I recently added a new bookcase to my office. It required me to re-arrange everything. I removed a couch. Took down some pictures and hung up others. Changed the location of the chair where I sit most mornings as I spend time with the Lord. As I did so, a couple of thoughts hit me. First, I haven’t done a thorough cleaning in years. The build up of dust and dead moths underneath my furniture was embarrassing. In fact, things were so bad several of our office staff took a field trip down the hall to see it and take pictures! Second, my life should be a lot different than it is. Looking at my degree from college reminded me of the self-destructive path I was on when Christ first chose to save me. Looking at my degree from graduate school reminded me of how undeserved I was when God chose to send me to Princeton. Looking at my ordination certificate reminded me of how God chooses to use the unqualified and foolish things of this world for His glorious purposes. Looking at the signatures on my doctoral degree reminded me of how blessed I’ve been by the godly mentors God chose to bring into my life who took an interest in me long before I showed any promise. The fundamental reality of my life is I’ve been chosen. Chosen not for who I am or what I’ve done but simply by an act of God’s amazing grace.
The story of the Bible is the story of God choosing the most unlikely people through whom to accomplish His will. He chose Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He chose Moses and Joshua. He chose Deborah, Gideon, Samuel, and the rest of the Judges. None of them deserved it. None of them did anything to earn it. God simply set His heart on them. King David understood what it meant to be chosen. Listen to how he describes it. “The Lord God of Israel chose me out of my father’s entire family to become king over Israel and have a permanent dynasty. Indeed, he chose Judah as leader, and my father’s family within Judah, and then he picked me out from among my father’s sons and made me king over all Israel.” (1 Chronicles 28:4 NET) Notice how David takes no credit for all that has happened? He knows it is all from the Lord. Furthermore, He sees the same sovereign choice at work in Solomon’s life. “From all the many sons the Lord has given me, he chose Solomon my son to rule on his behalf over Israel. He said to me, ‘Solomon your son is the one who will build my temple and my courts, for I have chosen him to become my son and I will become his father. I will establish his kingdom permanently, if he remains committed to obeying my commands and regulations, as you are doing this day.’” (1 Chronicles 28:5-7 NET) David was a shepherd boy when God chose to send him against Goliath. Solomon was one of many sons God could have chosen and yet he would be the one through whom God would build His Temple.
So what is the human creature’s response to God’s elective purposes? We obey. We obey not out of coercion or obligation or shame but out of gratitude and thanksgiving. God is the potter. We are the clay. What can the clay say to the hands that shape it or make it? What can the creature say to the Creator? There is nothing we can say or do or think or give that would ever be enough to earn God’s favor. He simply gives it freely and generously to all who would receive it. Thanks be to God!
Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays