February 2019
February 2019
“All is mine……I have chosen you”
Psalm 50.12, John 15.16 (NRSV, ISV)
(This is a composite saying, combining words from two sources)
“All is mine” (Psalm 50.12): God is all powerful and Creator of all that exists in heaven and earth. This is a summons to God’s chosen people to show them how they should live as part of His covenant, for He wants a living relationship with them. God does not need any animal sacrifice that can be used as a bribe to satisfy Him, but it is the one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice who will glorify God.
This theme is taken up in Isaiah 43. God says “I have created and formed you….. I have called you by name, you are mine” (v1). “You are my witnesses and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me” (v10). Here God is referring to His chosen people Israel, who are part of his divine plan but who have failed Him. Still He encourages them.
The second part of our composite Saying is from the gospel of John, Chapter 15. Israel was often referred to as the Vine, but they failed to bear fruit, so Jesus tells his disciples that it is He who is the True Vine and believers are the branches. He warns that any branch that fails to bear fruit God will take away. “Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15.4). But His command does not end there. Jesus emphasises that we do not choose Him but it is He who chooses and appoints us that we will bear fruit, fruit that will last (verse 16). Jesus spent all night in prayer before He chose His disciples, who would be a vital part of His ministry. As He chose His disciples, He chooses us who make up His body on earth, for we all have special gifts that can be used to further His kingdom and will glorify Him. We are to safeguard our relationship with Jesus so that he can continue to abide fully in us.
The OT prophets envisioned a time when God’s people would “blossom and put forth shoots and fill the whole world with fruit”. (Isaiah 27.6, cf Hosea 14.4-8). Let us take our Saying to heart so that we, His faithful people, will blossom and bear fruit, fruit that will last. “All is mine…….I have chosen you.”