Wed., 3/22/17 Devotion (Ex. 33:4a)

Today's encouragement comes from Exodus 33:4a, where we read these words:

"And when the people heard this bad news, they mourned . . . "

Bad news tends to make people sad, especially when it has to do with suffer-ing some of the natural consequences of their sin. But wherever there is bad news, there is also good news. In fact, the gospel of grace would not be news at all—let alone good news—if there was not sin and its resultant sadness in the world.

What makes the good news of Christ's atonement operative for us sinners, who would otherwise be swamped with nothing but horrible tidings of doom and damnation? Faith in Christ. And where does faith lead us? To love for God. And what does love result in? A happy walk with Christ, characterized by a hopeful present and future. This is the inheritance of the faithful and faith-filled church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "[It would] not [be] worthwhile to live in a world devoid of God and Providence.” —John Flavel, in, "The Mystery of Provi-dence"]