“Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. Wild animals …will honor me, because I provide water in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people” (Isaiah 43.19-20).

Something new and unexpected. A way in the wilderness like the way through the Red Sea. Israel was delivered from Egyptian bondage when she was formed as a nation. She would be delivered from Babylonian exile for her reformation as a nation. God is able to turn the Red Sea into dry land and to fill the barren wilderness with rivers of water. Even wild animals would honor Him because of such provision and goodness. God will ultimately fully restore Israel in the future Millennial Kingdom as well. God is merciful and kind to His chosen people. 

Why is Israel called God’s chosen? Why are believers in the New Testament designated elect or chosen by God? I think there are two primary reasons: 1) The word chosen distinguishes God’s people from all others; 2) The word chosen describes God’s people as loved and precious in His sight. Of course, no person on earth …no nation on earth deserves to be chosen. The only One worthy of being God’s chosen one is the Lord Jesus (see Isaiah 42.1). 

I am chosen to be distinct from all other people who are not. Israel is chosen to be distinct from all other nations. God first moved in me and drew me to Himself. I would not have chosen God if He had not first chosen me. I believed the truth of the Gospel – why the Elect One came to die for my sins and rise for my righteousness. My salvation was made effective when I believed. The sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit sets me apart from others because I am chosen in Christ to be sanctified or holy (2 Thessalonians 2.13). To be holy means to be set apart from the world and its people for God’s glory and purpose. 

I am chosen because God loves me. He delights in me and considers me precious. I don’t comprehend that in any way, but I am very grateful for it. Again, I think God delights in me because He delights in His Elect One. Since I am in Christ, I have privilege and position before the Father. This is why no one is able to lay anything to the charge of God’s elect, namely believers. We are secure in Christ. This is also why God will avenge His own elect and send angels to gather them in the last days. 

I am chosen in Christ. Christ is the only One worthy of being God’s Elect One. All who come to the Father through Jesus Christ enjoy the privilege of being chosen: chosen to be distinct; chosen to be objects of delight. God so loved the people of this world that He gave His one and only Son, the only One of His kind – His Elect One – to die for the sins of this world. He did this so that those who believe in the Son would have everlasting life. To have eternal life means to presently possess it. It is something new in quality. It is a gift that secures our eternal destiny and home in Heaven above. May Jesus Christ be praised!