Tues.-Wed., 12/24-25/19 Devotion

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 29:5b, where we read these words:

" . . . and carry out the rubbish from the holy place."

This is an intriguing command (above), given by King Hezekiah, to the Le-vites. God would *still* have us, His true and redeemed churchmen, "carry out the rubbish" from the "holy place." First of all, the church’s officers are to do all we can, to expunge Sabbath (Sunday) worship of all the rubbish that would otherwise clog the sanctuary (as it were). We do this by focusing on Jesus and HIs gospel; and by implementing the gracious provisions of true worship.

. . . And secondly, all of us who are God's people are to cleanse our hearts, by grace through faith in Jesus' blood atonement. Christ's blood washes away all our sin. This season is a good time for us to be reminded of these gospel glories and responsibilities.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is the desire of a holy person to be cleansed, not only from public, but also from private and secret sins.” —Obadiah Sedgwick, in, "The Anatomy of Secret Sins"]