I was reading the other day in Chronicles ... really ... and I noticed a verse in a new light.
For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee.
I Chronicles 17:25. Now compare this to Calvin's statement about faith.
For it were of no avail to us to know that God is true, did He not in mercy allure us to himself; nor could we of ourselves embrace his mercy did not He expressly offer it. “I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy loving-kindness and thy truth. Withhold not thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me” (Psa_40:10,Psa_40:11).
Institutes 3.2.7. Calvin says that knowledge of God would avail us nothing did we not know of the merciful promises of God. David expresses a similar sentiment. Because God had promised him a house, he found the fortitude to ask God for His blessings. Calvin goes on to say:
It were presumptuous in us to hold that God is propitious to us, had we not his own testimony, and did he not prevent us by his invitation, which leaves no doubt or uncertainty as to his will.
The revelation of God's merciful intentions toward us is the grounds on which we can have hope.
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2 comments:
Steve.
I have been hammering on this kind of stuff ever since our talk on PalTalk.
I still love your quote from Calvin:
Jesus is the mirror of your election.
I will be hitting, and have been hitting on this in my recent series called, "The Greatest Secret of God."
Thanks again for your words of encouragement on assurance. It really opened my eyes more clearly.
That's very encouraging, Seth. :-)
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