24^th October 2009

John 15:19

These words were spoken to the eleven disciples
in the Upper Room and not to the multitude outside.
They speak to us because
they also apply to every future generation.

“I chose you” tells us that before we could reach out to God
He first reached out to us.
We thirst after the Living God
because He first put an urge within us.
Jesus said, “No man can come to me
except the Father who has sent Me draws him.”
As this prevenient grace works in us
we are encouraged to thirst after Him.

Here is a wonderful thought;
all the time we are thirsting after God
we are already in His hand.

As we heed the prompting of the Holy Spirit
God creates in us, another dimension for our living.
In spite of the world’s pressures this seeking will continue
until He calls us to Himself.
Paul says “If we live by the Spirit let us also walk by the Spirit.”

In using the words “I chose” Jesus is saying to us
“This is how God planned it for you even when you were in your mother’s womb.” (see Acts 1:15)
We sing the words of Bernard of Clairvaux:

“We taste Thee, O Thou living bread,
And long to feast upon Thee still,
We drink of Thee, the fountainhead,
And thirst our souls from Thee to fill.”