Monday, September 22, 2008

Mon., 9/22/08 Devotion (Ps. 73:28a)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 73:28a, where we read these words:

"But it is good for me to draw near to God . . . "

It is very good for all God's churchmen to draw near to Him. Are you ever reticent about doing this, since you imagine yourself to be too unworthy, dirty, imperfect, or unacceptable? If so, that is *all* the *more* reason to "draw near to God." There is only one way the Lord will allow Himself to be approached, however, and that is by virtue of the merits of Jesus' blood atonement (the benefits of which we apprehend by grace through faith alone).

The devil seeks to discourage God's people from drawing near to Him. With faith, let us come boldly to our Father in heaven--recognizing that we are clothed in the perfect righteousness of Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "For from our neglect of prayer comes that deadness of spirit, that worldly-mindedness and unaptness to pray, to hear the Word, and to keep the Sabbath." --John Preston, in his sermon entitled, "The Saint's Daily Exercise"]