Fri.-Sabbath, 12/21-23/18 Devotion

Wahoo—it is almost Sunday again!! We *get* to go back to church! Here is Richard Sibbes, from his amazing "The Bruised Reed" book. . . .

“Simplicity and Humility

"Preachers should take heed likewise that they hide not their meaning in dark speeches, speaking in the clouds. Truth fears nothing so much as conceal-ment, and desires nothing so much as clearly to be laid open to the view of all. When it is most unadorned, it is most lovely and powerful. Our blessed Savior, as He took our nature upon Him, so He took upon Him our familiar manner of speech, which was part of His voluntary [condescension]. Paul was a profound man, yet he became as a nurse to the weaker sort (1 Thess. 2:7). . . .

"Christ chose those to preach mercy who had felt most mercy, as Peter and Paul, that they might be examples of what they taught. Paul became all things to all men (1 Cor. 9:22), stooping unto them for their good. Christ came down from heaven and emptied Himself of majesty in tender love to souls. Shall we not come down from our high conceits to do any poor soul good? Shall man be proud after God has been humble? . . . "