The Lord Jesus had goings forth for his people as their representative before the throne, long before they appeared upon the stage of time. From everlasting, he signed the covenant with his Father—blood for blood, suffering for suffering, agony for agony, death for death—all on behalf of his people. From everlasting, he gave himself up without a murmuring word.

From the crown of his head to the sole of his foot, he would sweat great drops of blood. He would be spit upon, pierced, mocked, torn asunder, and crushed beneath the pains of death. His goings forth as our Surety were from everlasting.

Pause, my soul, and wonder! You have had someone going forth for you from everlasting! Christ didn't begin loving you when you were born into the world. No! His delights were with the sons of men before there were any sons of men. Often did he think of them. From everlasting to everlasting, he had set his affection upon them.

What! My soul, has he been so long about your salvation, and will he not accomplish it? Has he from everlasting been going forth to save you, and will he lose you now? What! Has he carried you in his hand like his precious jewel, and will he now let you slip from between his fingers? Did he choose you before the mountains were brought forth, before the channels of the deep were carved, and will he reject you now? Impossible!

I am sure he would not have loved me so long if he had not been a changeless Lover. If he could grow weary of me, he would have been tired of me long before now. If he had not loved me with a love as deep as hell and as strong as death, he would have turned from me long ago.

Oh, joy above all joys! To know that I am his everlasting and inalienable inheritance, given to him by his Father before ever the earth was! Everlasting love shall be the pillow for my head tonight.