Thurs., 4/30/20 Devotion (Ps. 42:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 42:6, where we read these words:

"O my God, my soul is cast down within me; therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, and from the heights of Hermon, from the Hill Mizar."

Are our souls "cast down" within us today? If so, we are in good company. The psalmists often expressed this very same feeling. Even our blessed Lord Jesus Christ Himself experienced it, (cf. Matt. 26:38). What are our options, when this happens to us?: 1) Give up, (not a good one); or 2) Take a fresh look at God in and through our Lord Jesus Christ, (the right one).

If we can "remember" God's former mercies to us, in the midst of our present struggles—we will be much-helped. Let us never despair. Instead, let us keep on trusting in the Lord.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Humility is a duty pleasing to God; pride is a sin pleasing to the devil—(Isa. 57:15; 1 Tim. 3:6).” —Thomas Boston, in, "The Crook in the Lot"]

Wed., 4/29/20 Devotion (Ps. 40:8a)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 40:8a, where we read these words:

"I delight to do Your will, O my God . . . "

David had penned these words (above) originally in reference to himself. The Holy Spirit later applied them to Christ, (in Heb. 10:7). When we can do the will of the Lord *with delight*, then we are in a very good situation. We never do anything well grudgingly, or under compulsion. But, when we do anything with pleasure, we perform the task with alacrity and ease.

As the true church, let us make it our chief delight to take our highest pleas-ure in Christ alone. When He is first, all other (good and legitimate) delights may be enjoyed with relish and grace. When Jesus Christ is not primary, it is literally impossible to be satisfyingly happy. There is always a nagging sense that something is amiss, (and, indeed, it is).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Grace makes a man terrifying to the devil and to wicked men—both grace in a man, and grace in the church.” —Richard Sib-bes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Tues., 4/28/20 Devotion (Heb. 3:1-2)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 3:1 & 2, where we read these words:

"Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apo-stle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house."

Remaining faithful to God over the total expanse of one’s life as a Christian is an impossible thing to do (in the flesh). Most people that venture off on their Christian journeys, eventually end up giving up the fight. The key to faithful-ness is never found within us. It is always and only discovered in The Object of the true churchman's love and devotion: the Lord Jesus Christ.

This was why Moses was able to persevere to the end—because he never lost sight of Christ. Is Jesus our "Apostle," The One who fulfilled the mission of redemption for us? Is He our "High Priest," The One whose atonement cleanses us? If so, then we will, by grace, remain faithful. But this is all of God's sovereign doing, and none of ours. He gets the glory.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The remembrance of past goodness is very helpful for present encouragement. This rule David followed in Ps. 42:6: 'O my God, my soul is cast down within me; therefore will I remember You from the land of Jordan.’ “ —Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]

Mon., 4/27/20 Devotion (Heb. 2:5)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 2:5, where we read these words:

"For He [God] has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels."

If God has not subjected His creation to angels, then just to *whom* has He done so—so that they would steward and govern it (under Him)? If you said, “mankind,” then you got the answer right. But God did not give (His new cre-ation) to all the members of the human race. Rather, He bequeathed it to those who constitute the body of Christ, His true church. The original creation was indeed placed under all mankind in general; but we messed it all up, in Adam’s sin. The new creation is placed under the God-MAN, Jesus; and all who are His share in His dominion.

Angels are important; and they have many tasks to perform. But the Second Person of the Holy Trinity did not become an angel. Instead, He became a man.

[Puritan quote of the day: "You that are weak, and are full of doubts, should go and lean upon those who are strong and who have full assurance.”
—William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/24-26/20 Devotion

Thank God! Sunday is *almost* here again! In order for us to get ready for Gods holy day, here are good words from Thomas Watson, from his, "A Di-vine Cordial” book. . . .

"Love is an expansion of the soul, or the inflaming of the affections, by which a Christian breathes after God as the Supreme and Sovereign Good. Love is to the soul as the weights to the clock; it sets the soul to go towards God—as the wings by which we fly to heaven. By love we cleave to God, as the needle to the compass.

"The ground of our love for God is knowledge. We cannot love that which we do not know. That our love may be drawn forth to God, we must know these three things in Him:

“1. A fullness (Col. 1:19). Christ has a fullness of grace to cleanse us, and of glory to crown us; a fullness not only of sufficiency, but of abundance. God is a sea of goodness without limits and boundaries.

“2. A freeness. God has an innate propensity to dispense mercy and grace. The Lord drops grace as the honeycomb. 'Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely,' (Rev. 22:17). God does not require that we should bring money with us, only our appetite.

“3. A propriety, or ownership. We must know that this fullness in God is ours. 'This God is our God,' (Psa. 48:14). Here is the ground of love—His Deity, and the interest we have in Him."

Thurs., 4/23/20 Devotion (Ps. 34:18)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 34:18, where we read these words:

"The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit."

There is a time and place for everything; and it is always suitable to have a humbled soul. Even in the times of the greatest joys and loftiest experiences of God's grace in the Lord Jesus Christ—it is still lovely when the churched children of God have a modicum of grief (over sin). This is what our Supreme Savior meant when He said, “Blessed are those who mourn," (in Matt. 5:4a).

Why is it blessed for the redeemed saints to mourn? Because divine comfort follows it, (Matt. 5:4b). There is no sweeter sense, than that of the knowledge that one's sins are forgiven (in the blood atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Even in the worst time the prophets mingled sweet comfort for the hidden remnant of faithful people.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Wed., 4/22/20 Devotion (Lev. 26:2)

Today's encouragement comes from Leviticus 26:2, where we read these words:

"You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD."

This verse (above) is a powerful one to live by, so long as we are animated by our faith in and love for Christ. This God-honoring faith and love always is-sues forth in two basic life parameters: celebration of the Sabbath Day (Sun-day); and worship and service in and as the church (especially on Sunday).

The Christian life is designed to prosper and grow, "from glory to glory," (2 Cor. 3:18); and the way God achieves this is, "from Sabbath to Sabbath," (as it were). If God really is "The LORD," as He says He is (at the end of the verse above), then He gets to "call the shots," and set the guidelines for His people. Let us benefit ourselves (and everyone else) by abiding faithfully with-in Christ's churched sheepfold.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Who shall despair when he is in Christ, The One who is complete?” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Tues., 4/21/20 Devotion (Lev. 25:23)

Today's encouragement comes from Leviticus 25:23, where we read these words:

"The land shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are strangers and sojourners with Me."

This (above) is an interesting verse. God owns the land, the earth, and (for that matter) everything in the entire universe. Still, He reckons Himself to be a "stranger" and a "sojourner" *with* His church on earth, as we (with Him) tra-verse this globe. The Lord is *with* us, as we move from the sin and bondage of spiritual Egypt, to the glory and freedom of the spiritual “Canaan"—in Christ.

Wherever we are on this planet and in this world, so long as we are abiding with Christ, we are enjoying heaven already. Are we feeling alone today? If so, and if we are faithful churchmen, our Savior is with us on our journey down here.

[Puritan quote of the day: "True saving peace will live in the sight of sin.”
—William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Mon., 4/20/20 Devotion (2 Tim. 3:10)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Timothy 3:10, where we read these words:

"But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance . . . "

Paul applauds Timothy (above) for following him. Is this wrong, or prideful, on the part of the apostle? No. Instead, it is completely appropriate and fitting. We all follow someone—the only real question is: is he or she the best model, or not? And please note what Paul lists first, as to what Timothy follows. It is his (Paul's) "doctrine."

Why is doctrine (or instruction) at the top of the heap, and not buried below somewhere? Because doctrine determines life, happiness, and fulfillment. Poor doctrine fails us, at the very point where we need the most help. Good doctrine supports us, since it directs us to the Person of Jesus, His grace, His gospel, and His church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "To faith, future glory is present, present in Christ; and we are part of Christ, Christ mystical, and members [of Him].” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/17-19/20 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday! In order to help us get ready for God’s holy day, here are some really good words of Thomas Watson—from his book, "The Ten Commandments":

"The grand reason for changing the Jewish Sabbath to the Lord's Day is that it reminds us of the 'Mystery of our redemption by Christ.' The reason why God instituted the old Sabbath was to be a memorial of the creation. But He has now brought the first day of the week in its place in memory of a more glorious work than creation, which is redemption. Great was the work of cre-ation, but greater was the work of redemption. As it was said, 'The glory of this latter house shall be greater than that of the former,' (Haggai 2:9). So the glory of redemption was greater than the glory of the creation.

"Great wisdom was seen in making us, but more miraculous wisdom in sav-ing us. Great power was seen in bringing us out of nothing, but greater power in helping us when we were worse than nothing. It cost more to redeem than to create us. In creation it was but speaking a word (Psa. 148:5); in redeem-ing there was shedding of blood (1 Pet. 1:19). Creation was the work of God's fingers, (Psa. 8:3), redemption was the work of His arm, (Luke 1:51). In cre-ation, God gave us ourselves; in the redemption, He gave us Himself. By cre-ation, we have life in Adam; by redemption, we have life in Christ, (Col. 3:3). By creation, we had a right to an earthly paradise; by redemption, we have a title to a heavenly kingdom. Christ might well change the seventh day of the week into the first, as it puts us in mind of our redemption, which is a more glorious work than creation."

Thurs., 4/16/20 Devotion (1 Pet. 4:3a, 7)

Today's encouragement comes from a collation of 1 Peter 4:3a & 7, which renders this reading:

"For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gen-tiles— . . . But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers."

These two texts (above) "bookend" the Christian's life-perspective. Enough of our time has already been wasted sinning. Life on earth is too short to spend it unwisely. On the other end, "The end of all things is at hand”—not in the sense that the world is coming to an end—but in the sense that Jesus has been exalted to the Father's right hand; and we are to live now in the full real-ity of the Person of Jesus.

Are we frittering our lives away today, like the rest of the frightened and idol-atrous world; or are we investing them wisely, going on the offensive for the kingdom (church) of God?

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is better to meet God with tears in your eyes than weapons in your hand. You may overcome Him sooner by repentance than by resistance.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Wed., 4/15/20 Devotion (Ps. 23:4a)

Today's encouragement comes from the very familiar words of Psalm 23:4a, where David wrote this:

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me."

Have you ever wakened in the night, with fears that awful things would hap-pen to you, and/or those you love? Have you ever had moments of severe doubt, about the goodness, power, or maybe even the very existence of God? If any of these things have been your lot, then you know at least something about the "shadow of death."

But what is our comfort in these times? Is it not the abiding knowledge that God really *is* there, that He is "with” us—in Jesus Christ? The longer we walk with God, the more intense will be these “shadow of death" times; but the promises that The Living Redeemer is actually very near to us will also be the more sure and sweet. The Lord will never forsake His churched children.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When he that is born of God shall come and say, 'Father, I hunger, give me Christ; Father, I thirst, refresh me with the living streams of Your Spirit,' can God deny this request?” —Thomas Watson, in "The Beatitudes"]

Tues., 4/14/20 Devotion (Lev. 18:3a-b)

Today's encouragement comes from Leviticus 18:3a & b, which says this:

"You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you." (ESV)

Whoa. The faithful covenant community of Christ’s church cannot follow the example of the Egyptians, where (figuratively) we used to live; and we cannot imitate the Canaanites, whose “land" we are currently conquering. If this is the case, then whose pattern *are* we to obey and follow? Answer: God’s—as it is found in His Word (Jesus Christ), and in His Book (the Bible). And after what human society are we to model ourselves? Our own, as we are the redeemed church of God.

A great deal of the reason for the failure of professing Christians today is to be traced to this fatal error of looking to the world for the answers. The more we resemble the world, the less we look like Christ. Let us find all our para-digms for life in Jesus; and behave as His faithful church. In so doing, we will bless God’s entire creation.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A sinner does not only dishonor and strike at God, but sin is against his own soul, against his own life, against his own peace and comfort, against his own happiness.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Evil of Evils"]

Mon., 4/13/20 Devotion (Ps. 20:7-8)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 20:7 & 8, where David wrote these words:

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright." (ESV)

Everybody trusts in something, or someone; and implicitly believes that this entity will save them from all their troubles. Money is a favorite “god”—since it is perceived as one that can deliver people from all kinds of problems. Power is a popular deity too, as David avers above (in v. 7a). But these things, and all other idols, religiously-based or otherwise, are powerless when it comes to saving the soul, or delivering one from death.

Only the True God, in the Lord Jesus Christ, can do that. This is why all idol-aters "collapse and fall"; and why all sincere churched Christ-lovers "rise and stand upright." May we truly trust in the Living and Risen Lord Jesus today, and enjoy the good results thereof.

[Puritan quote of the day: "[God] can do with His creatures as He pleases. Who shall dispute with God? Who shall ask Him a reason for His actions?”
—Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/10-12/20 Devotion

Thank God—this coming Lord’s Day is Easter Sunday! In order to help get us all ready for the Sabbath Day, here is Thomas Watson, from his fine book, en-titled, "A Body of Divinity.” Pastor Watson is proposing hypothetical state-ments (below); and then answering them. . . .

"I would like to be in covenant with God, but I have been a great sinner, and I fear God will not admit me into covenant.

"If you see your sins, and loathe yourself for them, God will take you into cov-enant. 'You have wearied Me with your iniquities; I, even I, am He that blots out your transgressions,’ (Isa. 43:24-25). As the sea covers great rocks, so God's covenant mercy covers great sins. Some of the Jews that crucified Christ had their sins washed away in His blood.

"But I am not worthy that God should admit me into covenant.

"It never came into God's thoughts to make a New Covenant upon terms of worthiness. If God should show mercy to none but such as are worthy, then He must show mercy to none at all. But it is God's design in the New Cove-nant to advance the riches of His grace, and to love us freely. And even though we have no worthiness of our own, He will accept us through Christ’s worthiness. Therefore let not unworthiness discourage you; it is not unworthi-ness that excludes any from the covenant, but unwillingness."

Thurs., 4/9/20 Devotion (Ps. 16:6)

A blessed Maundy Thursday to you all!

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 16:6, where we read these words:

"The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inherit-ance."

Why is the regenerate Christian churchman *so* blessed, in *this* world? For a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that his or her sins are forgiven, and this leads to a quieted conscience. The redeemed soul is the only one that can, with integrity, live with itself in peace.

Being given Jesus is quite enough—since He is infinitely greater than all cre-ated things put together. But, when we get Christ, we are also endowed with His church, His gospel, His ordinances, and His means of grace. What more could we possibly want? If we are in The Redeemer today, let us offer a heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving to God in and through Him, The Lamb who shed His blood for us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Insofar as we are now praising God and glorifying Him for His mercy and love in Christ, we are in heaven before our time.”
—Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Wed., 4/8/20 Devotion (Ps. 13:1a, 6)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 13:1a & 6, where we read these words:

"How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? . . . I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me."

How could David's perspective (above) change so dramatically, in the span of only five verses? Because, in v. 5, he re-asserts his faith in God. This faith dispelled David's "sorrow," and his melancholy musings of heart.

All of us—even in the church—are prone to the sagging, drooping gravity of sadness and heaviness of heart and soul. The answer to this universally-ex-perienced syndrome is faith. Trusting in Jesus Christ raises us up, even against the wind and force of opposition, into the very presence of God Him-self. Let us never give into despair. Instead, let us refresh our faith anew, in Christ, everyday.

[Puritan quote of the day: "He that is little in his own eyes will not be troubled to be little in the eyes of others.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Tues., 4/7/20 Devotion (Ps. 11:1a)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 11:1a, where we read these words:

"In the LORD I put my trust . . . "

Because David put his trust in the Lord, YHWH, he was not ultimately moved by what happened all around him down here on earth. The "foundations” were being "destroyed," (v. 3)—but David did not allow this in any way to dis-turb his peace in the Christ who would come; and he (David) would press on, entrusting his whole life and ministry to God.

And so it should be for all of us who are in Christ and His church today, as well. Circumstances—particularly, hard or negative ones—are sure to impact us, and affect us. But we should not be too disturbed by them. When it is all said and done, at base, the only One we have to lean on is God Himself. And God is only known through faith in Jesus Christ, in the context of His church and gospel.

[Puritan quote of the day: "In a hopeless estate a Christian will see some door of hope opened . . . “ —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Mon., 4/6/20 Devotion (Ps. 10:4b)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 10:4b, where we read these words:

" . . . God is in none of his thoughts."

Can we imagine an existence in which God is in none of one's thoughts? Ac-tually, this is the spiritual state of all unregenerate people, bar none. Sinners outside of Jesus behave and think as if there was no God at all. Many people go through the motions of existence down here on earth with no saving or covenantal grace in Christ; and with no serious thoughts regarding the Divine Being (at all).

That is a sad state of affairs. After all, mankind is created in the very image of God. Human beings are made to be fully and supremely happy, as we are in communion with our Creator. But, because of the Fall of man into sin, none of this is possible until the Holy Spirit applies the atonement of Jesus to our hearts. When this happens, God is in *all* our thoughts.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If ever we mean to trust God, why not now?”
—Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/3-5/20 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday! In order to help get us ready for this holy day, here is Thomas Watson, teaching on God's Providence, from his really good book, "A Body of Divinity." . . .

"Divine providence is irresistible. There is nothing that can stand in the way of God's providence, to hinder it. When God's time had come for Joseph [of the OT] to be released from prison, the dungeon could hold him no longer. 'The king sent and set him free,' (Ps. 105:20). When God decided to indulge the Jews with liberty in their religion, Cyrus [the pagan king], by a providence of God, put out a proclamation to encourage the Jews to go and build their temple at Jerusalem, and worship God, (Ezra 1:2, 3).

"God is to be trusted when His providences seem to run counter to His prom-ises. God promised to give David the crown, to make him king; but provi-dence seemed to run opposite to His promise. David was pursued by Saul, and was in danger of his life; but all this while it was David's duty to trust God. Please observe, that the Lord by difficult providences often brings to pass His promise. God promised Paul the lives of all that were with him in the ship (Acts 27:34); but the providence of God seemed to run quite contrary to His promise—for the winds blew, the ship split up, and broke in pieces. Thus God fulfilled Hs promise—since upon the broken pieces of the ship they all came safely to shore. Let us trust God, even when providences seem to go quite contrary to promises."

Thurs., 4/2/20 Devotion (Ps. 4:8)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 4:8, where we read these words:

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O LORD make me dwell in safety."

These (above) are comforting words for faithful churchmen today. Whereas the entire unregenerate world has very good cause for a lack of peace and sleeplessness—the covenanted lover of God in Jesus Christ may slumber unencumbered, knowing that he or she “dwell[s] in safety."

The precious doctrine of covenantal protection of the true church, as per the famous words of Ps. 91, does not mean that sometimes God’s own true peo-ple are not afflicted by the ills that befall the rest of the world. Sometimes this does happen; but even when it does, the true believer in Jesus has no ulti-mate cause for alarm or concern.

[Quote about Stonewall Jackson: “In the autumn of 1855, Jackson began, on his own, a Sunday School for local [black people].” —from Vandiver’s, “Mighty Stonewall”]

Wed., 4/1/20 Devotion (Col. 2:9-10a)

Today's encouragement comes from Colossians 2:9-10a, which says this:

"For in [Christ] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him . . . "

These few words (above), written to the small church in the seemingly-insig-nificant market town of Colosse, are rich beyond measure. Observe what is the inheritance of the Christ-loving churchman: total *completion*, here and now, in The One (Jesus), Who embodies the entire fullness of The Godhead.

Why is this such wonderful news for us who are in Christ? Because we need not seek any “fullness” apart from Jesus; and we have nothing to fear in this world. After all, if Christ communicates the fullness of the Divine Trinity to our hearts, and we are “complete” in Him, who (or what) can hurt, destroy, or scare us?

[Quote about Stonewall Jackson: “Christianity was to Jackson a great cause, and to it he gave his whole allegiance. The Church was an army defending and expanding Christianity, and consequently, the clergy were the officers di-recting the Church’s campaigns.”  —from Vandiver’s, “Mighty Stonewall"]