Thurs., 2/15/18 Devotion (1 Cor. 2:9)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Corinthians 2:9, where we read these words:

"But as it is written: 'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love
Him.' "

Paul (above) is quoting Isa. 64:4 and other OT texts. In the very next verse (1 Cor. 2:10) the apostle states that God *has* (past tense) revealed these great blessings to the church, "through the Spirit." This is wonderful, because we do not have to wait for heaven in order to enjoy all of God's *best* things. In fact, if we do not taste heaven here and *now*, in Christ, we will never be part of it later (in full glory).

What has God "prepared for [us]”—the churchmen who "love Christ," by grace? Everything great; and many things about which we could never have imagined. Let us take pleasure in our Lord today; and anticipate His continu-ed blessings of us, in Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Let us look upon our nature, as it is in Christ, in Whom it is pure, sweet, calm, meek, [and] every way lovely.” —Richard Sib-bes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]