O the wonders couched in electing love! By James Smith From God's Special Treasure For you are a holy people who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be His own special treasure. Deuteronomy chapter 7 verse 6 God highly prizes his people. Yes, it is impossible to say how highly he prizes them. Those are wondrous words. For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for his own special treasure. Psalm 135 verse 4. Did the shepherd prize his flock? God calls his people, his flock, his beautiful flock. Does the miser prize his wealth? God says of his people, you shall be a special treasure unto me above all people, for all the earth is mine. Does the prince prize his jewels? God says of his people, They shall be mine in that day when I make up my jewels. Does the bridegroom prize his beloved and dearly purchased bride? It is written, As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. Does the reigning monarch prize his crown? God has said, you shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. What wondrous love such expressions as these represent! How precious must the Lord's people be to Him! Truly they are His special treasure. God chose them to be special unto Himself. He chose them out from among others. He chose them in preference to others. He chose them out from others, on purpose that they may be a special people unto himself, and in so doing, he acted freely. It was not on account of anything he saw in them, or on account of anything he expected from them, but in the exercise of his most free and holy sovereignty, he chose them to participate in the glory of his son. In choosing them, he acted also deliberately. It was no hasty choice. His thoughts had been eternally filled with them. His heart had been eternally set upon them. Therefore he chose them in Christ before the foundation of the world. In choosing them, he acted wisely as he really desired to have them, for each one of them is ready to confess that if God had not chosen them, that they would never have chosen him. The nature regulates the choice, and as our nature is carnal and impure, we would never have chosen God, who is spiritual and holy. His choice was just an early expression of his love. The love which chose them would do anything for them and give anything to them. Therefore God spared not his own son, but delivered him up for them all, and in so doing gave them the assurance that he will also freely give them all things in Christ. Oh, the wonders couched in electing love! This act of choosing such creatures as we are, to be a special people unto himself, displays such grace, such condescension, such infinite wisdom and love. God's election says, the Lord loves you, loves us, yes, and with a love that is eternal, immutable, sovereign, infinite and free. All the love of God is lavished upon us as his special people in Christ. Oh, those wondrous words of Jesus! You have loved them, even as you have loved me. John chapter 17, verse 23. But few among the worldly wise, but few of nobler race, obtain the favor of your eyes, almighty King of grace.