302. PEOPLE OF GOD

Balaam's words about God's people (Num 24:5-9, 17-19; Deu 33:29), illustrate what God does for them.

1. God's people are a goodly people (Num 24:5). Goodly because partakers of the goodness of God. The valleys, with their fruitfulness and flowers, are an illustration of the goodly fruits and fragrance that are produced in the lives of those who are possessed by, and are under the power of Him.

2. God's people are a supplied people (Num 24:7). Water poured out of buckets is but a simile of His continual supply and His all-sufficient grace to meet our every need.

3. God's people are an exalted people. "His people shall be higher than Agag" (Num 24:7). Our King is Christ; He is exalted to the right hand of God (Phl 2:9), and we are exalted with Him (Eph 2:6).

4. God's people are a delivered people. We are delivered

• from the wrath to come (1Th 1:10);
• from the second death (2Cr 1:10);
• from our enemies (Luk 1:74); and
• from this present evil world (Gal 1:4).

5. God's people are an honoured people (Num 24:17-19). Israel was honoured because Christ came from them, and was of them.

6. God's people are a happy people (Deu 33:29). Happy…

• because their sins are forgiven (Psa 62:1-2);
• because chosen by Him (Psa 33:12);
• because trusting in Him (Psa 34:8);
• because occupied with Him (Psa 40:4);
• because ministering to others for Him (Psa 41:1);
• because abiding in Him (Psa 65:4; Psa 84:4);
• because strengthened by Him (Psa 84:5).

The word "blessed" in the Psalms is the same word that is rendered "happy" in Deu 33:29.

7. God's people are a saved people.

• Saved by the death of Christ as to the means of salvation (Jhn 10:9-11);
• saved by the Holy Spirit as to the effectual cause of salvation (Tts 3:5);
• saved by faith as to the reception ot salvation (Luk 7:50);
• saved by the Gospel as to the knowledge of salvation (1Cr 15:2);
• saved by the risen living Christ as to being kept from sinning (Rom 5:10); and
• saved by hope as to the completeness of our salvation (Rom 8:24).