There are books in the Bible which I’ll say are my favorite. Not that I don’t love His whole word, but some books, like Galatians or Ephesians, have just found a special place with me. And then there are some chapters in the Bible which are my favorite. Who doesn’t get jazzed by 1Corinthians 13 or Hebrews 11? And certainly I have favorite verses in the Bible . . . verses which have become my “life verses” establishing a framework and filter for doing the pilgrim walk, and those that are “go to verses” which are brought to remembrance during certain situations, providing strength or encouragement. But I don’t know that I’ve really thought about favorite words in the Bible. This morning though, I came across one that would vie for a spot among my top ten . . . irrevocable!

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.   (Romans 11:29 ESV)

Now here’s a promise in Scripture that you can hang your hat on. The context is Paul’s explanation of God’s dealing with Israel and the promise of a future work of revival in that nation where they come to know Jesus as Messiah and ” . . . will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again” (11:23). And the promise in verse 29 is true for all those whom God has called . . . even to us — the church . . . “even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will . . .” (Eph. 1:4-5).

I have been called of God . . . and that calling is irrevocable. Don’t you like . . . no, don’t you love that word . . . IRREVOCABLE! It’s the only time you’ll find that English word in the whole Bible . . . literally it means “without repentance . . . not to be repented of . . . without regret.” That is the nature of the calling of God on His people . . . true of Israel . . . true of the church. When God puts His call on something it is irrevocable. Wow!!!! No wonder Paul would break out in awe-inspired praise . . . “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” (11:33).

Irrevocable . . . it’s unsearchable . . . it’s inscrutable . . . it’s almost unbelievable . . . it’s definitely incredible . . . amen?

And then, I turned to Psalm 65 and, as if orchestrated to compliment this wondrous thought in Romans, I read this . . .

Blessed is the one You choose and bring near, to dwell in Your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, the holiness of your temple!
(Psalm 65:4 ESV)

Blessed is the person that God chooses . . . that God causes to approach Him. Why? I’m thinking, at least in part, because that choosing and that place of privilege are irrevocable.

God calls me to draw near . . . God woos me into the beauty of His holiness . . . God promises me that, in that place, I will be satisfied with the goodness of His house. How can this irrevocable and high and holy calling not compel me to “take off my sandals” and stand on holy ground . . . to cleanse myself, through the forgiveness made available by the cross, from the dirt I’ve accumulated along the way and enter into the holy of holies by the blood of Jesus . . . to set my heart, mind, and soul on that which I know pleases Him . . . and to determine, as much as lies within me, to do it God’s way? Irrevocable . . . it’s got to be one of my favorite words.

Here’s a couple of others. Immeasurable . . . as in the “the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7) . . . and . . . Acceptable . . . as in “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe . . . “