For the Lord will not forsake His people, for
His great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you His people. Moreover, as for me, far be it
from me that I should sin against the Lord
in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.
(1 Sam 12:22-23)
The children of Israel had sinned
greatly in asking for an earthly king and rejecting the Heavenly King. They
looked away from God and looked to the world, and if we are not careful, we are
sure to do the same. Yet the Lord did not use Israel’s disobedience against
them, but He lovingly rebuked them and set Himself to bless them still. As
such, He is not only our God when we make right choices, but also when our
choices are poor. He is our God, even of our mistakes.
God chose us as members of His body
and church, and He knew what He was doing. He did not choose us because we were
righteous and able (we were not), but out of His love and His sovereign right
as God, He made us who we are by His grace. Our goodness did not qualify us,
nor will our shortcomings disqualify us, because His mind is already made up
about you and me;
Who
shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. (Romans
8:33)
Therefore, the children God chooses
must operate with a deeply–rooted confidence in the God who knows all, and we
follow Him with boldness and assurance even in precarious times. Good
decisions, good programs, good teaching, and skillful leadership are never the
point – they are simply the overflow of the life hidden with God in Christ. Stay
hidden, and go forward with the God Who see you in the secret place and rewards
you openly. He will never leave nor forsake you – even when you blow it!
Love and perfect peace,
Pastor Eric
