GRACE GAZETTE
Volume XIXIssue 46
Published occasionally for Zion's mourners
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Hebrews 12::12-13

THE CHOSEN HABITATION OF GOD

For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
Psalm 132:13

Many of the same men who will spend much effort and time in defending the “free-will” of men, will accuse GOD of unrighteousness (as they would define it) for the free exercise of HIS own will. David had no qualms about declaring the truth when HE said, “But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.” (Psa 115:3) Nebuchadnezzar discovered the same as he picked the blades of grass from his teeth and declared, “And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” (Dan 4:34-35) Neither is the LORD ashamed to assert HIS absolute dominion over all people, places, times, and things. “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.” (Isa 46:10-11)

Thus, we see that HE has determined the place where HE is pleased to dwell and with whom HE will share that habitation. Men, in their pride have, from the beginning, sought out the means whereby they assume that they can place limitations upon HIM who cannot be limited. “Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.” (Psa 135:6) There are no bounds to the place of HIS abode, except those which are prescribed by HIM who “sitteth upon the circle of the earth, ---that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in.” (Isa 40:22)

So, it is certain that HE can dwell wherever HE is pleased to establish HIS residency and if HE does determine that place then it is also certain that it is HE who marks out who it is that may dwell there with HIM. Since HE dwells in no uncertain place it also follows that HE dwells with no uncertain people. The scriptures call them “chosen”, “elect”, and “precious”. They are so because HE chose them and not vice versa. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” (John 15:16) “We love him, because he first loved us.” (1John 4:19)

How utterly amazing it is to consider that HE who lacked nothing and stood in need of no one, should condescend to dwell with men of low estate who, by nature, are rebels against HIM; those who regularly disregard HIS precepts. For it has pleased HIM not to leave those whom HE has chosen in CHRIST from before the foundation of the world, in this continual state of warfare against HIM. They are “precious” in HIS sight because they belong to HIM and HE has determined to dwell with them. Though they are by nature the children of wrath even as others, yet HE has sent HIS SON into the world to satisfy the claims of a broken law (the ordinances which were against them) and to reconcile them unto HIMSELF, causing them to throw down their arms of rebellion and submit to HIS overtures of love. Thus, they are described by the Psalmist as the righteous, “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” (Psa 34:17-18)

How is it that those who have delighted in unrighteousness can now be called righteous? Only because HE has imputed HIS righteousness to them. They are “righteous” because HE has deemed them so, hiding them in the bosom of HIS SON who has become their RIGHTEOUSNESS, dying upon Golgotha’s hill and swallowing up their sin and destroying their accusers. “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (1Cor 1:30-31) “Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it? Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships. I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.” (Isa 43:13-15)

HE has demonstrated HIS everlasting love for HIS elect bride by expressing HIS desire to dwell with her. “HE hath desired it for a habitation”. The “it” is ZION, which is synonymous with HIS Kingdom, throughout the scripture. As a RIGHTEOUS KING, HE does rule over HIS Kingdom, and though HE will not share HIS glory with any, HE does nonetheless, take up HIS abode with the sheep of HIS pasture. “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke12:32)

When the LORD had finished HIS creation, HE rested from it on the seventh day. JESUS CHRIST has now rested from HIS work of redemption, having completed that work which HE came to perform and does inhabit Zion forever with those for whom HE bled and died. “This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.” (Psa 132:14) Those who are HIS sons are ever ”Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:2)

As Hosea of old loved the harlot, Gomer, and made continual provision for her, in like fashion has the LORD set HIS love upon an unworthy people and given them everything they could desire or need. “I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.” (Psa 132:15)

As the LORD ordained the “sons of Aaron” to a temporary priesthood, in contrast the LORD has made the inhabitants of Zion, “kings and priests forever”. “I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.” (Psa 132:16) “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” (1Pet 2:9-10) “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Neh 8:10)

The LORD had promised David, that his “SEED” would occupy his throne, having a dominion forever. In the flesh David assumed that was manifest in Solomon, but Solomon proved himself to be but mere corruptible flesh, quite incapable of such rule. Yet ONE greater than Solomon is here, “There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.” (Psa 132:17) “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” (Isa 9:7)

The triumph of the LORD over all of HIS enemies (and those of HIS people) is absolute. “His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.” (Psa 132:18) “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Col 2:14-15) The finished redemptive work of CHRIST does manifest HIS glory and HE is satisfied with that which HE has performed. It is here in Zion that HE is pleased to dwell with those HE calls by name. “And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.” (Eze 34:23) Is HE your SHEPHERD?
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