What a delightful and astonishing thought it is!

(James Smith, "Christ Exalted, Saints Comforted, and Sinners Directed" 1855)

"Since you were precious in My sight — you have been honorable, and I have loved you."  Isaiah 43:4

What marvelous grace is here!

What a delightful and astonishing thought it is — that such poor, vile, rebellious creatures — should be precious to the infinite, holy, and eternal Jehovah!

That He should delight in us! (Isaiah 62:4)

That He should shed His precious blood for us! (1 Peter 1:19)

That He should work precious faith in us! (2 Peter 1:1)

That He should make precious promises — to support, supply, and comfort us! (2 Peter 1:4)

That He should render Christ precious unto us! (1 Peter 2:7)

That He should indulge us with a knowledge of His thoughts, and make them precious to us! (Psalm 139:17)

That He should call us His precious children!

Well may we exclaim with David, "What am I — that You should be mindful of me?"