Today's Latin Lesson: Ex Mero Motu

Bible study never looks the same for me two days in a row. One day I'll start reading Scripture and not get past the first verse because the Spirit starts talking to my soul. (That happened this weekend reading Exodus 32. That whole chapter just spoke to my heart, and I'll share that thought with you soon.) Other days I just read and read and read and soak it all in like sunshine.

Last week I was reading Exodus 19 and came upon the phrase "peculiar treasure." In the KJV, peculiar is obsolete English, so I looked it up in the concordance. Strong explained that it's the word for a jewel or something special, not weird and odd. Good, I thought, because I'd much rather be a jewel than odd.

For a little more clarification, I went to my Matthew Henry commentary on the chapter. If you've never read Henry before, prepare yourself. He is very detailed, very descriptive, and often very wordy. He is by far my favorite commentator, though - he and I understand each other. 

As I was scrolling down through my Bible program to what Henry wrote about Exodus 19:5, another phrase caught my eye. (This happens a lot.) It was the Latin ex mero motu. I don't read Latin, so I had to look that up, too. It means "on his mere motion." The courts often use it for doing something voluntarily, without being influenced by another person.

Whoa. 

Matthew Henry used ex mero motu in reference to God extending free grace and mercy simply because He chooses to do so. Nothing is dependent on me doing or saying or trying anything. God has planned this day, this Monday, for my good and His glory simply by His own choice. He is not influenced by time or space or the circumstances of the day. No, He is creating the time and the space and the circumstances for His perfect purpose. 

Here is what Henry said next: "In all our dealings with God, free grace anticipates us with the blessings of goodness, and all our comfort is owing, not to our knowing God, but rather to our being known of him."

I am known of God. You are known of God. And that's all that matters. 

Whatever this day brings, know that you are known of God, He has planned this for your good, and He will ultimately get the glory for it all.

Ex mero motu. Remember that God is not influenced by anyone or anything. Rest in simply being known.

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