Fri.-Sabbath, 6/12-14/20 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! We *get* to go back to church again. In or-der to help us get ready, here is Thomas Watson, from his "A Picture of a Godly Man" book. . . .

"The test of a pilot [sea captain] is seen in a storm; so the test of a Christian is seen in affliction. That person has the right art of navigation who, when the boisterous winds blow from heaven, steers the ship of the soul wisely, and does not dash upon the rock of impatience.

"A Christian should always maintain decorum, not behaving himself in an un-seemly manner or disguising himself with intemperate passion when the hand of God lies upon him. Patience adorns suffering. Affliction in Scripture is com-pared to a net: 'You brought us into the net,' (Psa. 66:11). Some have escap-ed the devil's net, yet the Lord allows them to be taken in the net of affliction. But they must not be 'as a wild bull in a net,' (Isa. 51:20), kicking and flinging against their Maker, but lie patiently till God breaks the net and makes a way for their escape."