‘For They Are Yours’

’For They Are Yours’

I pray for them:  I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

John 17:9

God has his own people.  He has chosen them, in Christ, ‘before the foundation of the world.’  He has given those people to Christ.  Christ, for His part, has done all that is necessary to secure their redemption.  He also intercedes for them.  As Christ prays His high Priestly Prayer, He makes it very clear for whom He is interceding, and for whom He is not interceding.  He says, ‘I do not pray for the world, but for them which thou hast given me.’  This is both a hard truth and a glorious one.  Woe to us if we are without Christ.  If He, Who so powerfully prevails at the Throne of Grace, does not pray for us, who will?  Who is more capable of understanding what we need and how to approach the High King of Heaven than the essential, eternal Son of God?  How blessed we are if He is praying for us.  How cursed we are if He says of us, ‘I do not pray for the world,’ and we are of the world.  It is for this reason that we continually point to Christ as the only Redeemer.  He prevails, at the Eternal Throne of Grace for all those who are His.  We who have embraced Him by faith, rejoice in this intercession.  We challenge any of you who read this little work to be diligent to make your calling and election sure.  Do not rest until you have closed with Christ.  Find in Him your all in all.

O, Great Shepherd of the Sheep,
we rejoice that You take eternal care of Your flock.
We praise You that You will continue
to make us to lie down in green pastures,
to lead us beside the still waters,
and to restore our soul.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning