Mon., 8/31/09 Devotion (Ps. 39:7)

Today's encouragement comes from the words of Psalm 39:7, which say this:

"And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You."

In vv. 4-6, David had surveyed his life, and determined that there wasn't really much to it, especially time-frame-wise. Now, it's as if he says to God, "In light of the brevity of my existence, what does it all amount to? What am I here for?" And the answer, of course, is, "I am here for You, Lord. You are the only One I hope in."

What do we "wait for"? If it is anything less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself we are wasting our lives, and our days. Let us put our hope in Him. Let us "wait" for Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "True [gospel] mourning begins in the love of God, and ends in the hatred of sin." --Thomas Watson, in "The Beatitudes"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 8/28-30/09 Devotion

So as to help prepare you for the Lord's Day's church worship services, here are some good words from the great Jonathan Edwards, as they are taken from his sermon entitled, "God Glorified in Man's Dependence":

"The grace of God in bestowing this gift [of grace] is most free. God was under no obligation to bestow it. He might have rejected fallen man as He did the fallen angels. We never did anything to merit it; it was given while we were yet enemies, and before we had so much as repented. It was from the love of God, who saw no excellency in us to attract it; and it was without expectation of ever being requited for it. And it is from mere grace that the benefits of Christ are applied to such and such particular persons. Those who are called and sanctified are to attribute it to the good pleasure of God's goodness alone, by which they are distinguished. He is sovereign, and has mercy on who He will have mercy."

Wed., 8/26/09 Devotion (Ps. 34:4)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 34:4, where we read these words:

"I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."

David's method (above) for dealing with fears is a great model for all believers. Usually, our natural tendency when we are fearful--instead of going to God with it--is to allow it to worry us, and to wear us down. Fear is a powerful emotion; the only true antidote to it is the peace that only Christ can give.

And how do we attain to the experience of that peace? By seeking the Lord (see above). Once God has "heard" us, we have the assurance that our concern is laid to rest. The Holy Spirit communicates this to our hearts; and we can go on living confidently and courageously, in the grace and love of Christ--all by faith.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When a man can praise God for what he has, God will give him more, and give him a better condition."
--William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Tues., 8/25/09 Devotion (1 Sam. 17:26b)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Samuel 17:26b, where we read these words:

" . . . For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

The church needs "Davids" today, who will stare down the bloated "Goliaths" of this world, who seek to "defy the armies of the living God." David did not fear Goliath, because he (David) knew that the true God was on his side; and Goliath had nothing to lean on but his own strength, and his hope in his fake (Philistine) gods.

So it is with all churchmen today: God's enemies parade themselves in front of us; they try to get "in our faces"; and they do everything they can to seek to dismantle all that is good in the world. But the church may say with David, "Who [are these uncircumcised Philistines, that they] should defy the armies of the living God?"

[Puritan quote of the day: "We must go to heaven by hell gate; and he that is not troubled sometimes by Satan is possessed by him." --Wil-
liam Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Mon., 8/24/09 Devotion (Ps. 32:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 32:1, where we read these words:

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered."

What sweet words these (above) are, for those who are clothed with the righteousness of Christ, by grace through faith. "Blessed" is "happy." Those whose sins are forgiven are blissful and free--they realize that they have been given a magnificent gift, and that they are no longer bound by the prison bars of sin, death, and condem-
nation.

*This* is true happiness: to have one's sins forgiven. Nothing can replace this: no amount of money, no degree of good health, none of the good things of the world. If you are forgiven your sins today, take time to heartily thank your Heavenly Father for the gracious sacrifice of His Son Jesus, on your soul's behalf.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A promise [of God], once given, shall never be reversed or repealed." --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 8/21-23/09 Devotion

Wahoo--it's almost Sunday! In order to help get you ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his book, entitled, "The Ten Command-
ments":

"True faith is grounded upon knowledge. Knowledge carries the torch before faith. There is a knowledge of Christ's orient excellencies, (Php. 3:8). He is made up of all love and beauty. True faith is a judicious intelligent grace, it knows Whom it believes, and why it believes. Faith is seated as well in the understanding as in the will. It has an eye to see Christ, as well as a wing to fly to him. Such therefore as are veiled in ignorance, or have only an implicit faith to believe as the church believes, have no true and genuine faith.

"Faith lives in a broken heart. 'The father cried out with tears, "Lord, I believe," ' (Mark 9:24). True faith is always in a heart bruised for sin. They, therefore, whose hearts were never touched for sin, have no faith. If a physician should tell us there was a herb that would help us against all infections, but it always grows in a watery place; if we should see a herb like it in colour, leaf, smell, blossom, but growing upon a rock, we should conclude that it was the wrong herb. So saving faith always grows in a heart humbled for sin, in a weeping eye and a tearful conscience. If, therefore, there be a show of faith, but it grows upon the rock of a hard impenitent heart, it is not the true faith."

Thurs., 8/20/09 Devotion (Jer. 49:38a)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 49:38a, where we read these words:

"I [the Lord] will set My throne in Elam . . . "

What a strange place for God to "set [His] throne"--Elam, an ancient pagan power east of Babylon. This is a good reminder of the fact that nothing is outside of the Lord's sovereignty: He is king everywhere--in heaven, and on earth. No devil, no sinners, no evil can overthrow Him; and God remains on His throne at all times, in every situation.

Having said that, it is true that there is a "positive" reign of Christ (in His church), and a "negative" reign of Christ (in His judgment of wickedness). The same Sovereign is in control--it's just that in one case God grants forgiveness and imputed righteousness (from Christ), and in the other case He exercises His prerogative as a Just Judge (in condemnation).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Praise God for every smile, and rejoice in the least." --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Wed., 8/19/09 Devotion (1 Sam. 11:6)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Samuel 11:6, where we read these words:

"Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard this news, and his anger was greatly aroused."

I know that King Saul of the Old Testament is not the greatest example; but this is an interesting text. Have you ever considered that there is no absolute disparity between the Holy Spirit (and His blessed influences on a person), and righteous anger? The wrath of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God (Jas. 1:20); but this does not mean that godly people should not, on occasion, be angry.

In fact, we *are* to "be angry," and yet not "sin," (Eph. 4:26a). At any rate, I'm not trying to stir anyone up. Still, do you see sin in yourself, in those you love, and in the world in which you live? If you do, it should upset you (and me). A proper response is one of godly warfare against it; and we cannot fight well without being riled-up a bit.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When a man is shaken in his own right-
eousness, then he sees the emptiness and the lying disposition of it."
--William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Tues., 8/18/09 Devotion (Rom. 8:26)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 8:26, where we read these words:

"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

Sometimes it is hard to know just *how* to pray, or for *what* to pray. This is a "weakness," but it is not a debilitating one. The reason: the Holy Spirit Himself "makes intercession" for us. When I have a hard time knowing how to pray, I usually try to discern what the main and pressing *concerns* are, that are on my heart.

I then try to bring those to the Lord, and to ask for strength and wisdom. In any case, it is better to *try* to pray, than to leave off praying altogether (because it is often so difficult). God is pleased with our faith-driven efforts, even though they are sometimes paltry. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit "fills in the gaps."

[Puritan quote of the day: "God has two arms whereby He draws us unto Himself--the arm of His love, and the arm of His anger and justice." --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Mon., 8/17/09 Devotion (Jer. 46:27b)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 46:27b, where we read these words:

" . . . Jacob shall return, have rest and be at ease; no one shall make him afraid."

Do you know that there is nothing wrong with the faithful church being "at ease"? After all, we rest our souls in Jesus--trusting Him alone for our right standing with God; we take a Sabbath rest every Sunday; we rest from all works-righteousness; and we have eternal rest in heaven throughout eternity.

Sloth and indolence is not being "at ease"; but true faith in the Redeemer *is*. Therefore, do not feel guilty because you are feeling "at ease," and are not "afraid" of anything. These (guilt) feelings belong to those who trust in themselves, or something else. They are not the realm of those who repose their souls in Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "For the bent and desires of the will carry the whole man with it." --Richard Sibbes, in "Glorious Freedom"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 8/14-16/09 Devotion

Hip, hip, hooray--it's almost Sunday! Here's TW, to help get you ready for church. This comes from his "A Plea for the Godly" book:

"See how dearly God loves the righteous and how near to His heart they lie. They are more excellent. The word 'excellent' carries affection in it. Things we prize we love. The righteous are God's treasure, (Psalm 135:4); and where His treasure is there is His heart. They are God's delicious garden where He plants the flower of His love. They are the dearly-beloved of His soul. They are His darling. He engraves them upon the palms of His hands that they may be never out of His eye. He rejoices over them with joy and rests in His love. It is no ordinary affection that God bears to the righteous. The sun shining upon a burning glass sets on fire only the object that is near the glass. The beams of God's love are more intensely enflamed towards them who are near Him by grace; these have the strength and spirits of His love distilled, He loves them as He loves Christ. Indeed, in one sense, God's love to Christ and believers is not alike, for Christ is loved purely for His own sake but believers are loved for Christ's sake. Yet, in another sense, God the Father loves believers as He loves Christ. It is the same love for the quality, the same for the unchangeableness of it. God will no more cease to love believers than He will to love Christ."

Thurs., 8/13/09 Devotion (Rom. 3:20a)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 3:20a, which says this:

"Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His [God's] sight . . . "

This (above) is a great, and comforting text. If we were to be saved by works, or the deeds of the law, then we could not and would not be saved at all. Where would the "end line" be, where we could know we had finally done enough "good" and meritorious actions, so as to wrench from God His favor, and salvation?

No. Works-religion is the domain of the devil, and of all the false religions of the world. Only "faith-religion" pleases God--since it embraces Jesus *alone* as the sole satisfaction before a Holy Judge for sin, and sinners. Those who trust in their works are proud and vile in the eyes of God. He looks with more mercy on atheists, than He does on the self-righteous.

[Puritan quote of the day: "I would rather believe poor doubting Thomas than confident Peter . . . " --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Wed., 8/12/09 Devotion (1 Sam. 2:1b)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Samuel 2:1b, where we read these words:

" . . . I smile at my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation."

This little phrase (above), originally spoken by Hannah the mother of the prophet Samuel, impressed me this morning. When the Bible speaks of God, or His churchmen, "smiling" at their foes, what it means is that they are more or less saying, "Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah" to them (their enemies). And the *reason* the redeemed of the Lord may do this is because they have Christ's salvation in and on them.

The poor devil is really a miserable creature. He envies the freedom of the children of God; and though he troubles us, in the end everything Satan seeks to do against us (the church) only forwards our godliness. The same can be said for the flesh, and the world. In light of this, let us "smile at [our] enemies."

[Puritan quote of the day: "Take heed, that you do not lay the stress and weight of all your comfort upon duty . . . " --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Tues., 8/11/09 Devotion (Jer. 39:18b)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 39:18b, where we read these words:

" . . . 'But your life shall be as a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me,' says the LORD."

This statement (above) was made by God, to an Ethiopian guy named Ebed-Melech. The Lord specifically commissioned the prophet Jeremiah to say this to Ebed-Melech. Almost everyone else in Jerusalem was going to get wiped-out by the Babylonians; but this Ethiopian (maybe not even a Jew) was going to be spared.

And why? Because E-M put his trust in God. There is great power in faith. Too often, we think our strength is in how well we do (at obeying God). But this is not the source of our power nor our encouragement. Faith pleases God (Heb. 11:6); and the Lord will overlook an abundance of weakness, while marveling at faith.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The saints and people of God have no true reason for their discouragements, whatever their condition be."
--William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"

Mon., 8/10/09 Devotion (Acts 28:22b)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 28:22b, where we read these words:

" . . . For concerning this sect [Christianity], we know that it is spoken against everywhere."

Have you ever wondered why the *best* people and things in the world are so often "spoken against everywhere"? Why would Jesus Christ be spoken against? Why would His church be spoken against? Why would His choicest saints (like John Calvin and/or the Puritans, for instance) be spoken against?

The reason is because the Lord Jesus Himself, His faithful church, and the most godly (influential) saints all reprove sin. And sinners don't
like this. This is why the world esteems people that don't deserve it; and belittles all those that do. Christ Himself said it best, in Lk. 6:26: "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets."

[Puritan quote of the day: "The Spirit of adoption is a pledge and earnest of the whole inheritance . . . " --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 8/7-9/09 Devotion

So as to help prepare you for the Lord's Day's church worship services, here are some good words from the great Jonathan Edwards, as
they are taken from his sermon entitled, "God Glorified in Man's Dependence":

"The grace of God in bestowing this gift [of grace] is most free. God was under no obligation to bestow it. He might have rejected fallen man as He did the fallen angels. We never did anything to merit it; it was given while we were yet enemies, and before we had so much as repented. It was from the love of God, who saw no excellency in us to attract it; and it was without expectation of ever being requited for it. And it is from mere grace that the benefits of Christ are applied to such and such particular persons. Those who are called and sanctified are to attribute it to the good pleasure of God's goodness alone, by which they are distinguished. He is sovereign, and has mercy on who He will have mercy."

Thurs., 8/6/09 Devotion (Acts 24:25a)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 24:25a, which says this:

"Now as [Paul] reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid . . . "

Here (above) the Apostle Paul is evangelizing the public official Felix. The *order* of Paul's discourse is intriguing (as it is given us by the Holy Spirit, here in the Book of Acts). Paul *starts* with "righteous-
ness." You can be sure he put all the stress on *Christ's* righteousness, imputed to sinners, by grace through faith (alone). Only then, does the apostle go into "self-control," and "the judgment to come."

Too often well-meaning believers seek to "evangelize" by telling people they need to change the way they live; and by "scaring" them (with judgment). These areas are important; but they are never effective without the gospel: the righteousness of Christ being freely offered to sinners.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The word 'Father' is a sweet word, for it sweetens all our duties." --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Wed., 8/5/09 Devotion (Ps. 4:6-7)

Today's encouragement comes from David's words of Psalm 4:6 & 7, which say this:

"There are many who say, 'Who will show us any good?' LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased."

Many pessimists are abroad today, especially in the religious world. Pessimism is a good cloak, (or so it is thought), for unbelief. David's hope was not in the things worldlings seek after (solely): money, clothing, houses, prestige, etc. David enjoyed, as all the godly do, a "secret feast" of the soul, whereby he was constantly nourished and refreshed.

See the kingdom with the eyes of faith in Jesus. Even today, partake of the realm of Christ's grace (in your soul). In this way, you carry about with you, even here, a real piece of heaven.

[Puritan quote of the day: "As God has two places He dwells in, heaven and a humble heart, so the devil has two places he dwells in, hell and a hard heart." --Thomas Watson, in "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Tues., 8/4/09 Devotion (Acts 22:8a, 10a)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 22:8a & 10a, where we read these words:

"So I [Paul] answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' . . . So I [Paul] said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' "

All human beings--even extremely zealous pharisaical ones, like the pre-converted Paul--know that there is a God. What they do not know is that He is accessed through a God-Man "Lord"--that being Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity.

Once Paul knows that it is the Risen Jesus who is speaking to him, he (Paul) is in a position to ask Christ what he should do. God had Paul go into Damascus, get baptized, and hear what his marching orders for the rest of his life would be. There is a lesson here: those who know Christ, by sovereign grace, will exercise faith in living for Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Whatsoever you desire that God should give you, cast that upon the Lord." --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Mon., 8/3/09 Devotion (Jer. 31:12a, c)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 31:12a & c, where we read these words:

"Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, streaming to the goodness of the LORD . . . Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, and they shall sorrow no more at all."

Jeremiah the prophet (above) is speaking of the Gospel times the church has lived in since the resurrection of the Messiah. Believers stream to Christ, singing His praise in and as His body, His church. Their souls are satisfied and nourished. They continue to struggle with the flesh, sin, the world, and the devil--but they do not "sorrow" anymore, because their sins are forgiven.

Let us--who even just yesterday (Sunday) were on "Mt. Zion," meeting with and worshipping our Savior--go forth rejoicing this week, as we serve our King in the various places in which He has assigned us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Difficulty commends duty, and the less you have to sweeten your action the more sweet it is to God." --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]