Mon., 4/7/14 Devotion (Ps. 12:8)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 12:8, where we read these words:

"The wicked prowl on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men."

When sin is not checked civilly, the godless go completely bonkers. The church's primary role is to preach Christ's gospel of grace, and to provide people a community wherein they may find refuge in the Redeemer. When this is not happening, "all hell breaks loose" (so to speak).

When gospel sanity is restored through the ministry of God-honoring church-es, we will no longer see vile persons marching in the streets, parading their sin with pride. Instead, we will observe a different phenomenon: God's people will be exalted; and His enemies will be in hiding.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The church converts the whole world by blood and prayer." --Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven on Earth"]