The blood of the everlasting covenant

"The blood of the everlasting covenant!" Hebrews 13:20

Long before the day-star knew its place,
long before God had spoken existence out of nothing,
long before angel's wing had stirred the unnavigated ether,
long before a solitary song had disturbed the solemnity of the silence in which God reigned supreme
--the Father had entered into solemn counsel with Himself, with His Son, and with His Spirit--and had in that council decreed, determined, purposed, and predestined the salvation of His people!

On the Father's part--thus ran the covenant. I cannot tell it to you in the glorious celestial tongue in which it was written. I am glad to bring it down to the speech which suits to the ear of flesh, and to the heart of a mortal. Thus, I say, ran the covenant in lines like these:
"I, the Most High Jehovah, do hereby give unto My only begotten and well-beloved Son--a people, countless beyond the number of the stars . . .
who shall be washed from sin by Him;
who shall be preserved, and kept, and led by Him; and
at last, who shall be presented before My throne without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing by Him.
I covenant by oath, and swear by Myself, because I can swear by no one greater, that these whom I now give to Christ--shall forever be the objects of My eternal love!
These, I will forgive through the merit of my Son's blood.
To these, I will give a perfect righteousness.
These, I will I adopt and make My sons and daughters.
And these shall reign with Me through Christ eternally!"

The Holy Spirit also, as one of the contracting parties of the covenant, gave His declaration, "I hereby covenant, that all whom the Father gives to the Son--
I will in due time quicken.
I will show them their need of redemption.
I will cut off all their groundless hopes, and destroy their refuges of lies.
I will bring them to the blood of sprinkling.
I will give them faith whereby this blood shall be applied to them.
I will work in them every grace.
I will keep their faith alive.
I will cleanse them and drive out depravity from them.
And they shall be presented at last, spotless and faultless in Heaven!"
This was the one side of the covenant, which is at this very day being fulfilled and scrupulously kept.

The Lord Jesus also, as one of the contracting parties of the covenant, gave His declaration, "My Father, on My part, I covenant that in the fullness of time, I will become man. I will live in their wretched world--and for My people, I keep the law perfectly. I will work out a spotless righteousness for them, which shall be acceptable to the demands of Your just and holy law. In due time, I will bear the sins of all My people. You shall exact all their debts upon Me. By My stripes--they shall be healed. My Father, I covenant and promise that I will be obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. I will magnify Your law, and make it honorable. I will suffer all that My people ought to have suffered. I will endure the curse of Your law--and all the vials of Your wrath shall be emptied and spent upon My head! I will then rise again, and ascend into Heaven. I will intercede for them at Your right hand. I will make Myself responsible for every one of them--that not one of those whom You have given me, shall ever be lost! I will bring all My sheep of whom, by My blood, you have constituted Me the Shepherd--I will bring every one safe to You at last!"

Christ can say of what He promised to do, "It is finished!" He has paid the debts of all the elect. He has, for His people and for their redemption--suffered the whole of wrath divine. Nothing remains now, except that He shall continue to intercede for them--that He may safely bring all His redeemed to glory. All for whom Christ died, shall be pardoned--all justified--all adopted.

The Spirit shall quicken them all, shall give them all faith, shall bring them all to Heaven. And they shall, every one of them, without hindrance, stand accepted in the Beloved.

The antiquity of the covenant of grace demands our grateful attention. It is a truth which tends to elevate the mind. I know of no doctrine more grand than this! It is the very soul and essence of all Scripture! In sitting down and meditating upon it--I confess my spirit has sometimes been ravished with delight!

Can you conceive of the idea, that before all things--God thought of you? That when as yet He had not made His mountains--He had thought of you; you, a poor puny worm? Oh this cannot make us proud--but it must make us feel happy!

(Charles Spurgeon, "The Blood of the Everlasting Covenant!" 1859)

Salvation is of grace, from first to last!

"For those He foreknew--He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.
And those He predestined--He also called;
and those He called--He also justified;
and those He justified--He also glorified."
Romans 8:29-30

The Father chose His people to salvation before time, and gave them to His beloved Son.

The Son came into the world to be the atoning sacrifice for their sins--that they might live through Him.

The Holy Spirit accompanies the preaching of His Word with power--and as many as are ordained to eternal life, believe. Thus,
all whom He predestined, or eternally loved--He effectually calls;
all whom He effectually calls--He justifies;
and all whom He justifies--He glorifies.

The Father in His love chose them to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all people that dwell on the face of the earth.

The Son redeemed them by His blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.

The Spirit quickens, sanctifies, and seals them.

Yes, "Salvation is of the Lord!"

Salvation is of grace, from first to last!

(James Smith, "Salvation, for WHOM is it Provided?" 1859)

"The Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes every one He accepts as a son." Hebrews 12:6

Afflicted Christian, you are perhaps tempted to think that God cannot love you--or He would not so deeply try you. But the reverse is the case--if He did not love you, He might perhaps refuse to try you. But because He loves you, and is a Father to you--therefore He corrects you.

All of the Lord's children need correction! Many of them will not grow without very severe discipline--consequently your heavenly Father says, "I will melt them, and try them." "I will turn My hand upon you--and will purge away your dross."

Look to the generations of old, and see if the Lord's people in every age have not been an afflicted people. Look at Job, at the prophets, at Lazarus; God tenderly loved them--and yet how severely He tried them. He has commanded an earthly parent to chasten his son, and not to let his soul spare for his crying--and by this rule He also proceeds. He chastens us--that He may not destroy us. There is infinite mercy in your present trial--as dreadful as it may appear to you. There was an absolute necessity for it--for He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve His redeemed children.

He takes pleasure in the spiritual prosperity of His people--and therefore He uses means to promote it. He has received you as a son, and He is now . . .
using His paternal authority;
manifesting His infinite wisdom;
fulfilling His gracious covenant;
making good His precious promises;
and displaying His unutterable love!

Every one who is . . .
adopted into His family;
quickened by His grace;
and united to Jesus--
is made to pass under the rod, and prove the truth of the Scripture which says, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous--but the Lord delivers him out of them all."

He chastens you, not for His own pleasure or gratification, but for your profit--that you might be a partaker of His holiness. What a gracious design is this--every way worthy of God. It affords full proof of His infinite wisdom, care, and love!

Think within yourself:
I could not do without this affliction;
it is sent in love;
it is intended to do me good;
it is a proof that I am a child of God
--and you will then think rightly.

Do not despise the chastening of the Lord, by thinking that you could have done as well without it; or that there was no necessity for it. Depend upon it, you must either be . . .
pained--or ruined;
tried--or injured;
corrected--or lost.

Do not faint when the Lord rebukes you. He has promised you, that as your day is--so shall your strength be. He says to you, "Do not fear--for I am with you; do not be afraid--for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand!" Isaiah 41:10. Precious promise of a faithful God! He made it in love. He has not forgotten it--no, He intends to make it good. Yes, He is now making it good to you--as tried and afflicted as you are.

The rod which afflicts you, is in the hand of Jesus! In that hand which was once nailed to the cross for your redemption! In the hand of that Friend who loves at all times; and who is a Brother born for adversity. Will Jesus who suffered, bled, and died to redeem you--ever hurt you? Surely not! His heart is too tender! His love is too great! "He will not break the bruised reed--and He will not quench the smoking flax!" He will bind up the broken heart, and comfort the sorrowful spirit.

You say, "He is sorely trying me!" True--but He is only making you fit to partake of the inheritance of the saints in light. They are . . .
loving strokes,
valuable trials,
blessed afflictions!
As sharp they may be--short they must be.

Humble yourself then under the mighty hand of God;
mourn before Him;
surrender all to Him;
plead with Him;
justify Him--and . . .
the rod will soon fall from His hand,
the scourging will soon be over, and
peaceable fruits of righteousness will make their appearance.

Look up to your God, and say:

Submissive to Your will, my God,
I all to you resign;
I bow before Your chastening rod,
And mourn, but not repine!

Why should my foolish heart complain,
When wisdom, truth, and love,
Direct the stroke, inflict the pain,
And point to joys above?

How short are all my sufferings here!
How needful every cross!
Away then, my unbelieving fear,
Nor call my gain, my loss.

(James Smith, "The Believer's Companion in Seasons of Affliction and Trouble" 1842)

God is love!" 1 John 4:8

Believer, the author of your present affliction, is Jehovah (Amos 3:6); it comes at the command of the Lord Almighty, who is excellent in counsel and wonderful in working. But though He afflicts you, His heart is not, and cannot be turned against you--for He has revealed Himself in His Word, as LOVE. He does not merely tell you that He loves you, but that He is LOVE ITSELF--infinite, eternal, unchangeable love! Fury has no place in Him; His anger is turned away from you, by the sacrifice of Jesus.

Your present affliction flows from His love; though occasioned by your sin--or called for by the circumstances in which you are placed. For He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve His redeemed children without cause. But while He puts you to pain, while He lays His rod upon you--He loves you with an inconceivable love! There is nothing but love in His heart toward you! Every affliction is absolutely necessary, and could not be dispensed with. He will never fail you nor forsake you--and therefore He lays His rod upon you. The discipline may be sharp--but the design is truly gracious. He seeks the good of your immortal soul; and designs only your welfare--even your sanctification. He intends to . . .
remind you of your follies,
bring you to reflection, and
lead you back to Himself from whom you have wandered.
Or else He intends to prevent your falling into some real evils, to which you were fast hastening. He intends, in a word . . .
to conform you to Jesus;
to answer your prayers; and
to show you, your absolute need of His presence, power, and love.

It was Divine love which chose the trial. It was Divine love which sent it. And the God of love is waiting to hear your confessions, your prayers, and your complaints.

Believe that He is love; believe that your sickness flows from love; and entreat Him to sanctify it--and then remove it. But seek its sanctification before its removal.

Sanctified afflictions are among our choicest blessings! They . . .
wean our hearts from earth,
direct our affections above, and
give energy and fervor to our prayers.
Many have had to say, "It is good for me, that I have been afflicted! Before I was afflicted I went astray--but now I keep Your precepts."

The Lord watches over you in love; while you are in this furnace--He is about your bed. Do not forget that the God of love is present with you--present to . . .
hear your groanings,
number your pains,
mark your tears,
listen to your prayers,
and bless you indeed.
You may not have the comfort of His presence--but you have the benefit of it. Endeavor to realize that God is with you--with you as a kind and gracious Father, watching over you to do you good.

By this affliction, He calls you . . .
to self-examination;
to surrender yourself afresh to Him;
to seek your happiness alone in Him;
to cast all your cares upon Him;
to make known your request to Him!
He says, "I will be very gracious unto you at the voice of your cry. When I hear you--I will answer you." His eye is fixed upon you for good! He is full of compassion, and plenteous in mercy unto all who call upon Him in truth. Call then upon the Lord, in this day of trouble; He will deliver you--and you shall glorify Him.

"The Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes every one He accepts as a son." Hebrews 12:6

(James Smith, "The Believer's Companion in Seasons of Affliction and Trouble" 1842)