I Samuel 12:22

They that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.—I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.

If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

O Lord our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name.—We are thine: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.

All people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord ; and they shall be afraid of thee.—The Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people.

God's choice of His people is the reason for His abiding by them and not forsaking them. He chose them for His love, and He loves them for His choice. His own good pleasure is the source of their election, and His election is the reason for the continuance of His pleasure in them. It would dishonor His great name for Him to forsake them, since it would either show that He made an error in His choice or that He was fickle in His love. God's love has this glory, that it never changes, and this glory He will never tarnish.

By all the memories of the Lord's former lovingkindnesses let us rest assured that He will not forsake us. He who has gone so far as to make us His people will not undo the creation of His grace. He has not wrought such wonders for us that He might leave us after all. His Son Jesus has died for us, and we may be sure that He has not died in vain. Can He forsake those for whom He shed His blood? Because He has hitherto taken pleasure in choosing and in saving us, it will be His pleasure still to bless us. Our Lord Jesus is no changeable lover. Having loved His own, He loves them to the end.