Morning By Morning #342

He chose the lowly things of this world.

1 Corinthians 1:28

From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

If you dare to walk city streets by moonlight, you will see sinners. When the night is dark and the wind is howling, you will see sinners lurking in doorways. If you go to the city jail and walk through the wards, you will see sinners there as well, men with deep-set eyes and furrowed brows—men you would not want to face alone at night. Go to a juvenile reformatory and notice teens who have displayed unbridled delinquency, and you will see sinners. Cross the seas and go to the deepest, darkest jungle where ancient tribes still practice cannibalism, and you will find sinners there. Go wherever you choose, yet you need not comb the entire earth, for sinners are very common. You will find them on every street and lane of every city, town, village, and hamlet.

It is for people such as these that Jesus died. Even if you find for me the worst and lowest specimen of humanity, as long as he is “born of woman” (Job 14:1) I still will have hope for him because Jesus Christ “came to seek and to save” (Luke 19:10) sinners. God’s electing love has chosen some of the worst to be changed into the best. His grace turns the most common of pebbles in the stream into jewels for His royal crown, and He can transform even worthless dross into pure gold. His redeeming love has set apart many of the worst of mankind to be the reward of the Savior’s passion. God’s effective grace calls many of the vilest of the vile to sit at His table of mercy. Therefore, none of us should ever despair for the lost.

I implore you, dear reader, consider the love coming from Jesus’ tearful eyes; the faithful, strong, pure, just, and abiding love also flowing from His bleeding wounds; and the amazing depth of the Savior’s compassion. Do not turn away as though it is nothing to you. Instead, “believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). Trust your soul to Him and He will take you to His Father’s right hand in glory everlasting.

From the pen of Jim Reimann:

Some people believe it would be wonderful for the Lord to save famous people who could then use their fame, reputation, and platform to spread the gospel. Indeed, it would be great for them to be saved, but the truth is—God doesn’t need their platform! Could He use it? Sure. But does He need it? No!

Think about what would bring God the most glory: using a “nobody” whom He has saved and changed into His messenger and whom He has given His platform, or the famous person who already has his own platform. If you look carefully at God’s Word, you will find it to be the story of “the nobodies” whom He has transformed into “the somebodies.”

Consider the story of David, when Samuel was sent to his father’s home to anoint Israel’s next king. David’s father, Jesse, didn’t even think enough of David to line him up with his brothers. Yet David became Israel’s greatest king and was given this promise by the Lord Himself:

I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel…Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth…Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.

2 Samuel 7:8 – 9, 16

Only God can do that, for He chooses “the lowly”!