September 21

Morning

Yes, I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will faithfully plant them in this land with all My heart and with all My soul. — Jer 32:41 BSB

How heartwarming it is for the believer to know that God takes delight in His saints! We often can’t find any reason within ourselves why the Lord would find pleasure in us. We struggle with our sins, feel burdened by our weaknesses, and frequently lament our unfaithfulness. At times, we may even doubt that God’s people take delight in us, for they, too, must see our many imperfections and shortcomings. They may sympathize with our struggles more than admire our virtues.

Yet, what a glorious mystery it is that, as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so the Lord rejoices over us! Nowhere do we read that God takes delight in the mighty mountains or the shining stars. But we do read that His delights are with the children of men. We don’t find it written that angels, in all their glory, bring Him such delight. Yet He says to us, fallen and redeemed by His grace, “You shall be called Hephzibah, for the Lord delights in you.”

The language God uses to express His delight in His people is so strong and profound that it’s hard to imagine. Who would have thought that the eternal God could burst forth into a song of joy? Yet, it is written, “He will rejoice over you with joy—He will rejoice over you with singing.” When He looked upon the world He created, He said, “It is very good.” But when He beholds those redeemed by the blood of Jesus, His heart overflows with joy. Shouldn’t we, too, respond with grateful hearts to this incredible declaration of His love? Let us sing, “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!”

Evening

Do not take my soul away with sinners, or my life with men of bloodshed, — Ps 26:9 BSB

Fear made David pray, “Gather not my soul with sinners,” for a whisper in his heart suggested, “What if, after all, you are counted among the wicked?” This fear, though tainted with unbelief, springs mainly from a holy concern, born from the memory of past sins. Even those forgiven will sometimes wonder, “What if my sins are remembered at the end, and I am not counted among the saved?” They recall their present shortcomings—so little grace, so little love, so little holiness—and they look forward with anxiety, seeing their own weakness and the many temptations they will face. Fearful that they may fall and be lost, they pray earnestly, “Gather not my soul with sinners!”

But, dear reader, if you have prayed this prayer, and your life reflects the characteristics found in the psalm from which it is taken, you have no need to fear. Do you walk in integrity, as David did? Do you trust in the Lord for your salvation? Are you resting in Christ’s sacrifice and drawing near to God with humble hope? If so, rest assured, you will not be gathered with sinners. That is an impossible fate for you. At the final gathering, the righteous will be separated from the wicked, like wheat from chaff. “First, gather the tares to be burned, but gather the wheat into My barn.” If you belong to God’s people, you will be gathered with them.

You are too precious to Christ to be lost. He has redeemed you with His own blood, and where He is, there you must be also. You are loved far too deeply to be cast away with the reprobates. Could one so dear to Christ ever perish? Impossible! Hell cannot claim you; heaven already does! Trust in your Savior and fear not.