The beloved of the Lord.
The marks and tokens of these are set forth here.
I. THEY HAVE SET THEIR LOVE UPON THE LORD. Their hearts have turned to him, away from sin, and now are "set," firmly fixed, upon him. Numbers of people feel a passing affection for Christ; their hearts burn within them for a while; but the fire soon dies down and out. But these have set their love, not their mere thought or approval, upon him.
II. THEY HAVE KNOWN HIS NAME. This is a higher degree. Their love has led to their keeping near to him, and to constant intercourse with him; and so now they have come to know him, as we say we know a dear and honoured friend, whom we have tested and tried and never found wanting. So these have come to know God; and, of course, they are "set on high." Such knowledge lifts the soul above the cares and trials, the temptations and sorrows, of life. As the small birds, whom the hawk seeks to prey upon, avoid their foe by keeping high above him, so do these, the Lord's beloved, live above where the sins, snares, and sorrows of this world can do them harm.
III. THEY PRAY EFFECTUALLY. "He shall call upon me, and I will answer." The life of prayer, the walk with God, ever characterizes these people. And they have power in prayer—their prayers are answered. This cannot be said of all or most prayers, of which, so often, nothing seems to come. But it is otherwise here.
IV. IN THEIR TROUBLES THE LORD IS WITH THEM. "I will be with them," etc. They will have trouble. They are God's jewels; but as the jewel needs to be put on the lapidary's wheel and ground ere it will reveal its brilliancy and worth, so do God's jewels. Therefore trouble cannot be escaped. But bearing it alone may be, and is, by these people. See Paul and Silas in the dungeon at Philippi, and the experience of all the saints in all the ages all along.
V. AND BECAUSE THEY ARE THE LORD'S BELOVED, THERE COMES TO THEM
1. Deliverance. How could it be otherwise? deliverance real, though not always visible to our eye.
2. Honour. See the golden cross on the top of St. Paul's Cathedral: how that tolls of what this nation thinks of the Crucified One! All the nations praise him.
3. Eternal life. Long life indeed!
4. Satisfaction. "Thou, O Christ, art all I want."
5. The vision of the salvation of God. For himself; for those dear to him; for the world.—S.C.