The families of the sons of Israel are numbered by name. This astonishing record of people, 601,730, is a testament to God of how He knows and holds people in his heart, by name. "I have called you by name, you are mine" and also it is a marvel that such a record should be taken and kept: I know of no other from such a period of history, that has preserved records so precisely taken from such a large body of people. Surely God is awesome.

David's song, having been delivered from the danger he was in with Achish King of Gath with whom he had sought refuge from King Saul but who had begun to suspect that David was not with him but against him and is about to act against David is witness to God's reality, that God is the only living, powerful and listening God and only He can deliver us from disaster even that brought on by ourselves and our own choices. He is God and there is no other.

" I sought Jehovah and He answered me and from all my fears did deliver me" and "This poor one called and Jehovah heard, And from all his distresses saved him" Psalm 34 vs 4 and 6

How grateful we should be that God hears and God answers. He is not a deaf God nor a God whose arm is too short. Ascribe ye greatness to Jehovah with me, and we exalt HIs name together Psalm 34 v3.

I have changed the word 'chosen' to the 'choice ones' in my reading of Mark 13, 21-37, because a misunderstanding has arisen among teachers of the Bible, false Christs, who have deceived many, that it is not our choice but God's which controls our destiny. This is a false teaching.

The word that has been translated 'chosen' needs to be understood as describing a characteristic of the believer, a quality, a principled person who has chosen to follow Jesus - we are able to be chosen because we choose to follow, we choose to believe.

To think otherwise is to remove all responsibility for our choices and also to deny our free will which God has freely given, because love cannot be made to happen, nor controlled, nor made mandatory in our lives. God does not control us. God offers us all good, life to the full, but we are free to reject him. Those who say God knows from the beginning, controls our destiny, has made His choice from the foundation of the world, are in error.

If a man were to come upon a woman or a woman come upon a man that they do not know and say to them, "I know that you are going to marry me" would a reasonable person accept this as truth?

It is a relationship in which love forms the bond that is the foundation of marriage, not a dictatorial announcement.

God is a God of relationship and in no human relationship would coercion, a position of no choice whether for good or bad, be considered a blessing. God woos us to Himself with evidence of His goodness, His love, His faithfulness, for He says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you"

It is this knowledge which causes us to break into songs of praise and joy. And I will praise you Lord, yes I will praise you Lord for all that You have done - a lightness in my spirit and joy that knows no limit, here in the grace of God I stand.

This is the relationship we are invited into.

LOVE a poem by George Herbert

Love bade me welcome yet my soul drew back, guilty of dust and sin, but quick-eyed love, observing me grow slack from my first entrance in, drew nearer me, sweetly questioning if I lacked anything - 'A guest,' I answered, 'worthy to be here'. Love said, 'You shall be he.' 'I the unkind, the ungrateful? Ah my dear, I cannot look on Thee.' Love took my hand and smiling did reply, 'Who made the eyes but I?' 'Truth, Lord; but I have marr'd them, let my shame go where it doth deserve.' ' And know you not' says Love, 'who bore the blame' 'My dear, then I will serve.' ' You must sit down,' says Love, ' and taste my meat.' So I did sit and eat.