Fri.-Sabbath, 12/7-9/18 Devotion

Wahoo—Sunday is almost here! In order to help get us ready for the church’s worship of The Triune God, here is Thomas Watson, from "All Things for Good," or, "A Divine Cordial":

"The word preached works for good. It is a savour of life. It is a soul trans-forming word. It assimilates the heart into Christ’s likeness; it produces as-surance. 'Our gospel came to you not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance,' (1 Thess. 1:5). It is the chariot of salva-tion.

"Prayer works for good. Prayer is the bellows of the affection. It stirs up holy desires and ardours of soul. Prayer has power with God. It is a key that un-locks the treasury of God’s mercy. Prayer keeps the heart open to God, and shut to sin. It assuages the intemperate hearts and swellings of lust. It was Luther’s counsel to a friend, when he perceived a temptation begin to arise, to betake himself to prayer. Prayer is the Christian’s gun, which he discharges against his enemies. Prayer is the sovereign medicine of the soul. Prayer sanctifies every mercy, (1 Tim. 4:5). It is the dispeller of sorrow: by venting the grief it eases the heart. When Hannah had prayed, 'She went away, and was no more sad,' (1 Sam. 1:18). And if it has these rare effects, then it works for good."