---

I. GOD HAS A CHOSEN PEOPLE. That God does choose men is beyond question. Why, how, and when He chooses them, are quite a different matter. It will be enough if we point out that the people of Israel were chosen of God, to enjoy as a nation such a good and happy lot as should serve to set forth in a figure the spiritual good of the spiritual Israel of the future. Similarly, even now, God has His chosen ones, who, like the ancient Israel, are brought into a very close relation with Himself; only that those relations with God are spiritual, where the relations of Israel with God were national and ecclesiastical. But who are these chosen ones, and how are they distinguished from others? If any of you to whom I speak imagine that you are in a position to enjoy the good of God's chosen, just because of your membership in the outward Church and your participation in the external ordinances of religion, this utterance alone is surely enough to undeceive you. Called you certainly have been, but do you wear the wedding garment? Are you clothed with that "righteousness which is of God by faith"? God dwells in hearts that are submitted — willingly and cheerfully submitted — to Him in the obedience of faith. These are God's peculiar treasures in a world that disowns and rejects Him; they are His "people of possession," and no wonder that He should reserve for them some special good, of which others can know nothing, until they too join this favoured company.

II. THESE CHOSEN ONES HAVE A SPECIAL GOOD OF THEIR OWN. It consists primarily in the possession of God. "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Surely in a world where foes are strong, and we are only too conscious of our weakness, it is no small matter to enjoy the help of Omnipotence. And in a world where trials and troubles are so numerous, it is something to have a refuge open unto us whereunto we may always resort. Why should you condemn yourselves to perpetual restlessness, when you have God's own peace which passeth all understanding within your reach? Why should you prefer the evil of God's enemies, the cruel Nemesis which they bring upon their own heads, to the good which might be yours if you were His? Have you not had enough of weariness and restless toil? Why not listen to the voice to-night which proclaims, "Peace, peace to those that are far off, to those that are near"? Why not offer the prayer, "O visit me with Thy salvation, that I may see the good of Thy chosen"?

(W. H. M. H. Aitken, M. A. .)

---

---

KJV: Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;

WEB: Remember me, Yahweh, with the favor that you show to your people. Visit me with your salvation,