1 Chronicles 4:22

Yet not so ancient as those precious things which are the delight of our souls. Let us for a moment recount them, telling them over as misers count their gold. The sovereign choice of the Father, by which He elected us to eternal life, before the earth ever was, is a matter of vast antiquity, since no date can be conceived for it by the human mind.

We were chosen from before the foundations of the world. Everlasting love accompanied the choice, for it was not a mere act of divine will by which we were set apart, but the divine affections were involved. The Father loved us in 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 immutable love and absolute sovereignty. The covenant is always described as being everlasting, and Jesus, the second party in it, whose own goings forth were from of old; He pledged Himself in sacred suretyship 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 blessed covenant union was established between the Son of God and His elect people, which will remain as the foundation of their safety when time is no more. Is it not well to be familiar with these ancient things? Is it not shameful that they should be so much neglected and even rejected by the majority of professing Christians? If they knew more of their own sin, would they not be more ready 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.”