THE ELECTION HATH OBTAINED IT--J.C. PHILPOT

J.C. PHILPOT (1802-1869)

"The election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded." Romans 11:7

Those that are blinded by the god of this world, have no knowledge of what power and feeling and savour and dew are; they see not these things, they are blind to their reality, they are dead to their importance; but the living family of God, who are brought by his blessed Spirit into some apprehension of eternal realities, have eyes to see what power is, and hearts too, to desire to feel its manifestation. Nay, it is the very seeing what reality and power are which makes them desire to experience the savour of eternal things in their conscience; and because they do not feel them as they wish, it makes them often fear that they are blind altogether (Isaiah 59:10). But the very inquiry, the very anxious cry, the very groaning desire, the very fervent supplication to the Lord that he would not let them live and die without a testimony from himself, that he would lift up the light of his countenance and grant them the life of his favour—these very cries are a proof of life. Were you blind, you would not see these things; were you deaf, you would not spiritually hear these things; were you dead, you would not feel these things. And, therefore, that which you seem to take as an evidence against you, is, in reality, an evidence for you; and the very sensations of trepidation, anxious inquiry, godly fear, and the crying out before the Lord that he would search and try you and really make your heart right in his sight—these very things are the symptoms of life, the evidences of a work of grace upon the heart, and are the spiritual breathings of the quickened soul, the Lord himself having communicated these feelings unto it.

(from Ears from Harvested Sheaves for April 19th)

OUR AWESOME GOD--by W.F. BELL

Psalm 104; 145:3; Colossians 1:14-16

The 104th Psalm is a commentary on the opening chapter of Genesis, and like many of the Psalms, renders much praise and adoration to the Creator of all things. But "the wicked" (verse 35) know nothing of this glorious Creator-God, so they talk of "mother nature" and "evolution." But to the Spirit-taught child of God, Psalm 104 is a delight to meditate upon, as the psalmist sings of the many voices of nature, and of God's "majesty" and providence. We live in a day when words have changed meaning, and some words have become meaningless. "Awesome" is one such word, as this adjective is now used in everyday conversation to describe the most trivial of things. But "awesome" (causing awe) is a word which should be used as a description of the great Creator alone. "O Lord my God, Thou art very great." That means the true God is awesome beyond words. "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable" (Psalm 145:3). Let us always "magnify the Lord" with true heart praise and with great reverence. "Bless the Lord, O my soul." This is no trifling matter. The list of "created things" in Psalm 104 includes the heavens, the waters, the clouds, the wind, the earth, mountains, thunder, valleys, springs, hills, beasts of the field, birds, grass, trees, the moon, the sun, sea creatures, darkness, light, angels, and man. Neither you nor I nor any human made any of these things! Yet men still reject this evidence of the great Creator's "handiwork" (Psalm 19:1). All "sinners" by nature are blinded by their sin, so do not acknowledge this awesome God. But in humility all those who are redeemed must say with the psalmist here, "I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of Him shall be sweet; I will be glad in the Lord" (Psalm 104:33-34). Not sad, but glad! Psalm 104 is all about God, His greatness, His glory, and His goodness. The holy attributes of God are wondrous themes to regularly occupy our thoughts. The true God is "clothed with splendor and majesty," and "covered with light as with a garment" (verses 1-2). "The glory of the Lord shall endure forever; the Lord shall rejoice in His works" (verse 31). "O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all; the earth is full of Thy riches" (verse 24). Note, God's works, wisdom, wealth. How this truly humbles us, for we are reminded that some day proud sinners are to "be consumed out of the earth" (verse 35). Our Lord Jesus Christ is the mighty Creator, "the firstborn of every creature," as "all things were created by Him, and for Him" (Colossians 1:15-16). The Son is eternal, though Jesus the Man appeared in the fullness of time. Let us worship, praise, and give humble thanks to our Saviour for creating "all things," including man, the crown of creation. Let us render true praise to the grace and mercy of God for His great salvation, which has been so freely bestowed upon us in Christ, "even the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:14). Psalm 104 teaches us that God's end and goal in creation was to glorify Himself, just as we know it is His "eternal purpose" to glorify His "manifold wisdom" by redeeming "the church" through Christ (Ephesians 3:10-11). His purpose shall never fail! So join me then in singing, "Bless the Lord, O my soul," for He is an awesome, gracious God. QUOTE FOR THE DAY "Dear Lord, assist our souls to pay, The debt of praise we owe; That we enjoy a gospel-day, And heaven begun below." John Newton