Thurs., 6/21/18 Devotion (Deut. 26:11)

Today's encouragement comes from Deuteronomy 26:11, where we read this:

"So you shall rejoice in every good thing which the LORD your God has given to you and your house, you and the Levite and the stranger who is among you."

Do we realize that God actually *commands* His church to *rejoice* over temporal blessings? In this same vein, do we understand that it is horrible ingratitude to despise God's good gifts? Some people, imaging themselves to be too "spiritual" to appreciate anything temporal, look down their noses at the Lord's provisions to them.

God is not pleased by thanklessness for His "normal" gifts to us, (cf. 1 Tim. 4:1-5). Those who love Jesus, His gospel, and His church, will also rejoice in *every* other sweet thing coming to us from heaven. Let us give God praise and thanks for *all* His good provision—since *all* of it comes to His church through Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "[God] rewards His subjects in this life. He gives them inward peace and joy; a bunch of grapes by the way; and oft-times riches and honor.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]