We are "saints." We are "holy ones" of God, called by God, chosen out of the world by the foreknowledge of the Lord. Once we are called to be a saint we have no other calling in life. To be chosen as a member of the royal priesthood is a calling so sublime that all else loses its significance. If we are wise we will give all that we are and possess to lay hold on our calling.

The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. (Deuteronomy 7:7—NIV)

There is a tendency today, at least in America, to associate God with crowds of people. God is not impressed with crowds of people and on occasion has reduced the number of people involved in a particular enterprise so they would not think they had accomplished their goal by their own wisdom and talents.

There is a time for thousands of people to be involved in a Christian activity. There are other occasions when just a few are needed. In fact, much of the Bible is an account of God using one person to do His will.

Let us never make the mistake of viewing the involvement of many people as being more significant than that which God is doing with one person or a handful of people. Desiring to accomplish the work of the Kingdom by means of numerous people, great amounts of money, and worldly techniques leads to Babylon—man-directed religion.

But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 7:8—NIV)

It is God who began the work of salvation in our life. We did not choose Christ. Christ chose us. We seem to forget that on occasion.

God desires that we be holy and wholly consecrated to His Person, way, and work. God does not need our help, actually. He permits us to work alongside Himself that we might learn of Him and might share in the inheritance.

But He doesn't actually need us!

It seems to me I can see the great Babylon shaping up, along with the False Prophet and Antichrist. Powerful social forces are leading us toward these gigantic group efforts.

The safest place is the shadow of the Almighty. This is our hiding place, our fortress, our rock. Men may plan and work to accomplish "great things." Let's you and I be content to know the Lord, who often works quietly and in secret. How comforting it is to know we do not have to join some great movement of people and wear ourselves out with their mighty plans. We can rest in the secret place of the Most High, do whatever simple thing we have been commanded, and look forward to going home to be with the Lord some day—when our work has been finished.

To be continued.