Two of my readings collided this morning . . . one in the Old Testament . . . the other in the New Testament. Collided, not in the sense of crashing into one another, but in the sense of coming together to reinforce a great truth. Both concerning Israel . . . both concerning grace . . . both having application to me.

As Moses pleads with Israel in Deuteronomy 6 through 8 to “love the Lord your God will all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” and to keep all His commandments “in your heart” (6:5-9), he reminds them that they “are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth” (7:6). They were a people of privilege . . . a people chosen to be a special treasure to God. Now if that’s not enough to give someone a bit of a swollen head, I don’t know what is. They must have been something pretty special . . . a cut above the rest . . . rating 6 on a 5 point scale . . . in order for God to pick them as His special treasure. Yeah . . . not really.

Moses goes on to remind them, “The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people; for you were the least of all peoples; but because the LORD loves you . . . ” (7:7-8a). God set His love on them, because He chose them to love. He didn’t pick them over other nations ’cause they were so special, instead He made them special because, in accordance with His grace and sovereign purposes, He determined to call them His people. It’s not because they were above all peoples that He chose them, but, in choosing them, He made them above all peoples.

And then I read in Romans 11 that the “gifts and calling of God are irrevocable” (11:29) and that, though Israel as a nation had rejected Jesus as Messiah and spurned the gift of salvation He offers, God had not cast away His people (11:1-2). In fact, Paul writes, “at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace” (11:5-6). And it’s that phrase, “the election of grace” that accentuates the Deuteronomy passage. That ancient people were chosen by grace . . . today, though the nation at large walks in unbelief, yet God has a select few who embrace Messiah as Savior . . . chosen by grace.

And I can’t help but take it personally. I can’t help but sit in awe and wonder that I should be among those chosen by grace. I can’t help but marvel that I am part of that company of believers declared to be “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1Peter 2:9-10). Not because I’m anything special . . . not because of anything I’ve done or haven’t done. But solely because God determined, in His grace, to love me . . . and, by that same grace, invited me to respond and love Him.

Through faith, God extended His grace toward me. Through His Son, God loved me. Through His Spirit, God has sealed me as one of His own. I’m not one of His ’cause I’m anything special . . . but I’m special, because I’m one of His . . . special because of grace.

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! “For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor? Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?” For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:34-36).