Evening
Time: 1:01 PM PST
"Thou shalt be called, Sought out." --Isaiah 62:12
The surpassing grace of God is seen very clearly in that we were not only
sought, but sought out. Men seek for a thing which is lost upon
the floor of the house, but in such a case there is only seeking, not seeking
out. The loss is more perplexing and the search more persevering when a thing is
sought out. We were mingled with the mire: we were as when some precious
piece of gold falls into the sewer, and men gather out and carefully inspect a
mass of abominable filth, and continue to stir and rake, and search among the
heap until the treasure is found. Or, to use another figure, we were lost in a
labyrinth; we wandered hither and thither, and when mercy came after us with the
gospel, it did not find us at the first coming, it had to search for us and seek
us out; for we as lost sheep were so desperately lost, and had wandered into
such a strange country, that it did not seem possible that even the Good
Shepherd should track our devious roamings. Glory be to unconquerable grace, we
were sought out! No gloom could hide us, no filthiness could conceal us,
we were found and brought home. Glory be to infinite love, God the Holy Spirit
restored us!
The lives of some of God's people, if they could be written would fill us
with holy astonishment. Strange and marvellous are the ways which God used in
their case to find His own. Blessed be His name, He never relinquishes the
search until the chosen are sought out effectually. They are not a people sought
to-day and cast away to-morrow. Almightiness and wisdom combined will make no
failures, they shall be called, "Sought out!" That any should be sought
out is matchless grace, but that we should be sought out is grace beyond
degree! We can find no reason for it but God's own sovereign love, and can only
lift up our heart in wonder, and praise the Lord that this night we wear the
name of "Sought out."