God’s Calling

“Whom he did predestinate, them he also called.”

Romans 8:30 But whom He predestinated, these He also called; and whom He called, those He also justified. And whom He justified, these He also glorified.

This is another excellent devotional by Charles Spurgeon.

For past 3 ½ years since my retirement I wasn’t exactly sure what God had planned for my life. Was this ministry I have been pursing a calling I put on my heart or was it a calling from God? As I read this devotional my eyes stared at Spurgeon’s statement, “As he that hath called you is holy, so must you be holy. If you are living in sin, you are not called, but if you are truly Christ’s, you can say, “Nothing pains me so much as sin; I desire to be rid of it; Lord, help me to be holy.”

[In the second epistle to Timothy, first chapter, and ninth verse, are these words-”Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling.” Now, here is a touchstone by which we may try our calling. It is “an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace.” This calling forbids all trust in our own doings, and conducts us to Christ alone for salvation, but it afterwards purges us from dead works to serve the living and true God. As he that hath called you is holy, so must you be holy. If you are living in sin, you are not called, but if you are truly Christ’s, you can say, “Nothing pains me so much as sin; I desire to be rid of it; Lord, help me to be holy.” Is this the panting of thy heart? Is this the tenor of thy life towards God, and his divine will?]

Yes, I cry, Yes! As I was reading the ending to this great devotional I found myself saying this more and more to my Lord and Savior!

[Again, in Philippians, Phi_3:13, Phi_3:14, we are told of “The high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Is then your calling a high calling? Has it ennobled your heart, and set it upon heavenly things?]

Yes, yes!

[Has it elevated your hopes, your tastes, your desires? Has it upraised the constant tenor of your life, so that you spend it with God and for God?]

Yes, yes!

[Another test we find in Heb_3:1-”Partakers of the heavenly calling.” Heavenly calling means a call from heaven. If man alone call thee, thou art uncalled. Is thy calling of God? Is it a call to heaven as well as from heaven? Unless thou art a stranger here, and heaven thy home, thou hast not been called with a heavenly calling; for those who have been so called, declare that they look for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God, and they themselves are strangers and pilgrims upon the earth. Is thy calling thus holy, high, heavenly?]

Praise God Yes!

[Then, beloved, thou hast been called of God, for such is the calling wherewith God doth call his people.]

My friends this calling from God on my life is not a calling for works for Him, which I gladly obey and do, it is God’s calling to me to Him, that through His Son’s love and sacrifice, the Father cares for us today!

To Him be the praise and glory!

The Lord blessed me with this poem a couple years ago,

I‘m Talking To You

Why are you so down?
What can it be?
I raised my eyes above and asked
“God, are You talking to me?”

He said, “Everything that is,
and all you see,
was made just for you
and it all comes from Me!

The blood I shed,
the tears I cry,
is all for you
and still you doubt, why?

All I ask,
since you don’t seem to see.
Is that someday you will choose
to believe in Me!

My Word was left
so you would know,
I am always here
and love you so!

So don’t be so down
And to My name always be true
Yes, my child
I’m talking to You!”

From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott