Fri.-Sabbath, 8/27-29/21 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is fast approaching. In order to help prepare us for the church's Sabbath worship of Almighty God, here is Thomas Watson, from his "Heaven Taken by Storm" book:

"When this blessed [Sabbath] Day approaches, we must lift up our heart in thankfulness to God, that He has put another opportunity into our hands for gaining heavenly wisdom. These are our spiritual harvest-days. Now the wind of God's Spirit blows upon the sails of our affections, and we may be much further on in our heavenly voyage. Christian, lift up your heart to God in thankfulness, that He has given you another golden season; and be sure you improve it. It may be the last. Seasons of grace are not like the tide; if a man misses one tide, he may have another.

"This [Sabbath] Day approaching, we must in the morning dress and fit our souls for the receiving of the Word. The people of Israel were to wash their garments before the Law was delivered to them. Our hearts must be washed by prayer and repentance, since the oracles of God are about to be delivered to us."

Thurs., 8/26/21 Devotion (Ps. 34:4)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 34:4, where we read these words:

"I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."

David's method (above) for dealing with fears is a great model for all believ-ers. Usually, our natural tendency when we are fearful—instead of going to God with it—is to allow it to worry us, and to wear us down. Fear is a power-ful, energy-draining emotion; and the only true antidote to it is the peace that only Christ can give.

. . . And how do we attain to the experience of that kind of peace? By seeking the Lord (see above). Once God has "heard" us, we have the assurance that our concern is laid to rest. The Holy Spirit communicates this to our hearts; and we can go on living confidently and courageously in the grace and love of Christ—all by faith.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When a man can praise God for what he has, God will give him more, and give him a better condition.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Wed., 8/25/21 Devotion (1 Sam. 17:45)

Today's encouragement comes from the lips of David, as it is found in 1 Sam-uel 17:45:

"Then David said to the Philistine, 'You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.’ "

What is Satan, compared to Christ? What is a hypocrite, compared to a true saint? What is the world, compared to the redeemed church of Christ? If we belong to God through Jesus Christ, then we will certainly be attacked with the "sword" and "spear" and "javelin" of God’s foes—but *our* weaponry is much better than theirs: “The Name of the LORD of hosts."

Let true churchmen be strong in the Lord; and let us take our stand for Christ, His church, His gospel, His word, and His ways.

[Puritan quote of the day: "What thankfulness to God, and what love for Jesus Christ the Redeemer, does the hope of forgiveness excite in you?” —John Shower, in, "God's Thoughts and Ways are Above ours"]

Tues., 8/24/21 Devotion (Ps. 32:1-2)

Today's encouragement comes from the great words of David, as found in Psalm 32:1 & 2:

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Bles-sed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit."

Are our sins forgiven in the blood atonement of Christ? If so, then we are tru-ly blessed human beings. The forgiven soul is a cleansed soul. It is not a per-fect-in-itself soul—since it still sins, in this life. But the forgiven soul is a truly sincere soul. It no longer loves sin; in fact, it passionately hates it. This is what is meant by the spirit having "no deceit" (above).

No amount of religion, devotion, activity, speech, knowledge, or spiritual game-playing can replace or make up for the atoned-for soul. If we are for-given in Jesus’ blood, then we should rejoice greatly in our Redeemer.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The beauties and excellencies of the Son of God will [give] to all the saints inconceivable and eternal delights.” —Isaac Am-brose, in, "The Christian Warrior"]

Mon., 8/23/21 Devotion (Ps. 31:14-15a)

Today's encouragement comes from David's Holy Spirit-inspired words of Psalm 31:14 & 15a:

"But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in Your hand . . . "

Are we at all confused today about how we ought to pray, or how we should live? If so, then here is a good and simple place for us to start. God is pleas-ed with our sincere faith in Jesus, no matter what the rest of our life lacks. God also relishes being "owned" by His faithful churchmen—so we ought to pray, "You are *my* God." If we are concerned about our futures, or that of those we care for, it is helpful for us to recognize that our times are in God's hands.

See, it is not all that complicated. Let us unclutter our souls; and love Christ today.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The gospel stands in no need of external evidenc-es of its truth and divinity. It carries its own light and evidence with it.” —Jon-athan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Wisdom of God"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 8/20-22/21 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday! Here is Thomas Watson, on the subject of God's knowledge of all things, (from "A Body of Divinity"):

"God's knowledge is infallible; there is no mistake in His knowledge. Human knowledge is subject to error. A physician may mistake the cause of a dis-ease; but God's knowledge is unerring; He can neither deceive, nor be de-ceived. He cannot deceive, because He is Truth, nor be deceived, because He is Wisdom. God's knowledge is instantaneous. Our knowledge is succes-sive, one thing after another. We argue from the effect to the cause. God knows things past, present, and to come, 'uno intuito,' at once; they are all before Him in one entire prospect [view].

"God's knowledge is retentive; He never loses any of His knowledge. He has 'reminiscentia,' as well as 'intelligentia'; He remembers as well as under-stands. Many things lapse out of our minds, but God's knowledge is eterniz-ed. Things transacted a thousand years ago, are as fresh to Him as if they were done but a minute ago. Thus He is perfect in knowledge."

Thurs., 8/19/21 Devotion (Rom. 9:20)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 9:20, where we read these words:

"But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, 'Why have you made me like this?' "

Though God would have His own sincere churched children be very gut-wrenchingly candid with Him, and tell Him everything in their hearts, and lay everything bare before Him—the Lord does *not* entertain complaints about *why* He has made people in one way or another.

Even when it comes to His sovereign election, (which is the immediate con-text of Rom. 9:20), we are not allowed to "reply against God." Of course, in reality, no one cares at all whether they please God, or not, until they are re-generated (or born again). Therefore, it is especially ill-suited for God's re-deemed people to quarrel with the Lord, as to why He elects some, and not others.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Without Christ's Spirit the soul is in confusion, with-out beauty and form . . . “ —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Wed., 8/18/21 Devotion (Rom. 8:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 8:1, which says this:

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” (ESV)

*How* can there "now be no condemnation" for Christian churchmen who are “in Christ Jesus”—especially given the fact that Paul had earlier stated (in ch. 7 of Romans), that the indwelling sin nature continues to trouble us? Because Someone else (Jesus Christ) has accomplished our redemption and the for-giveness of our sins for us, (cf. Rom. 8:2-3).

If it was at all up to us, there would be no hope at all. We would all be doom-ed, and condemned. But our redemption is not dependent upon us at all. In-stead, it rests entirely on the Lord Jesus Christ. How do we then participate in His atonement? By grace through faith in The Messiah, (plus nothing). This gospel is truly revolutionary; and the world has no understanding of it. But let us who are known by God bless Him for revealing it to us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The gospel stands in no need of external evidenc-es of its truth and divinity. It carries its own light and evidence with it.” —Jon-athan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Wisdom of God"]

Tues., 8/17/21 Devotion (Jer. 46:27)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 46:27, which says this:

"But do not fear, O My servant Jacob, and do not be dismayed, O Israel! For behold, I will save you from afar, and your offspring from the land of their cap-tivity; Jacob shall return, have rest and be at ease; no one shall make him afraid."

Behold the blessed promise God makes to His church (in every age). No mat-ter how bad things are, or what direction they seem to be going—the Lord cannot be prevented from extending His kingdom through gospel-preaching, and from spreading Christ's grace on and through His churched children.

Many people today anticipate evil days. That is an easy (and understandable) thing to do. But it takes living faith in Christ to believe verses such as this one (above). Let true believers in Jesus never lose heart. To do so is to give in to the enemy. Let us trust God to keep His promises to His beloved church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Evil is an evil thing, and yet it may be a good thing that evil should be in the world.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Decrees of God"]

Mon., 8/16/21 Devotion (Jer. 44:18)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 44:18, where we read these words:

"But since we stopped burning incense to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been consum-ed by the sword and by famine."

A major reason people commit idolatry is because of a serious misunder-standing of the source of blessing. Jeremiah had condemned this idolatrous worship of Ishtar, "the queen of heaven”—but the people would not risk the truth of the prophet's words, as over against an alleged stock of provision (coming from the worship of the false goddess).

It is always wiser for us to choose to worship the true God (through Christ alone), and to get by with hardly anything, and end up with Jesus and in heaven—than to commit idolatry, have our "needs" met, and end up in hell.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The happiness of angels as well as of men con-sists very much in beholding the glory of God.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Wisdom of God"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 8/13-15/21 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! In order to help get us ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his really nice book, entitled, "A Body of Divin-ity":

"A people in covenant with God are a willing people; though they cannot serve God perfectly, they serve Him willingly. They do not begrudge God a little time spent in His worship; they do not hesitate or murmur at sufferings; they will go through a sea and a wilderness, if God calls them to do so. 'Your people shall be a willing people,' (Ps. 110:3). This spontaneity and willingness is from the attractive power of God’s Spirit: the Spirit does not force, but sweetly draws the will; and this willingness in true religion makes all our ser-vices accepted.

"God's covenant people are a consecrated people, they have ‘Holiness to the Lord' written upon them. . . . God's covenant people are separated from the world, and sanctified by the Spirit. The priests under the law were not only to wash in the great laver [bowl], but were arrayed with glorious apparel, (Ex. 28:2). This was typical, to show God’s people are not only washed from gross sins, but adorned with holiness of heart: they bear not only God’s name, but image. . . . Holiness is God’s stamp; if He does not see this stamp upon us, He will not own us for His covenant people."

Thurs., 8/12/21 Devotion (1 Sam. 2:30c)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Samuel 2:30c, where we read these words:

" . . . For those who honor Me [the Lord] I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed."

The Lord cannot be "outdone." If anyone is willing, by grace through faith in Christ alone, to "honor" Him, God will more than "return the favor." On the flip side: those who treat the Lord with disdain and contempt will be "lightly es-teemed." (And to be "lightly esteemed" by God is *not* a good thing.)

How do we honor God? Only one thing pleases Him, and that is faith in Christ. (See Heb. 11:6 for vivid proof of this.) Sincere faith will then, inevitably, lead to a life of love, which results in gratitude and willing obedience—begin-ning with Sunday (Sabbath) observance, church membership, and true wor-ship.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Morality shoots short of heaven. It is only nature refined. A moral man is but old Adam dressed in fine clothes." —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Wed., 8/11/21 Devotion (Rom. 1:17a, 18a)

Today's encouragement comes from Paul's words, as they are found in Ro-mans 1:17a & 18a:

"For in it [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith

. . . For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men . . . "

Notice that God makes two "revelations” here—both within the space of only two verses. The first one is His "righteousness"; and the second one is His "wrath." The righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel (and its elect re-cipients); and it is received and lived-in by faith in Jesus. The wrath of God is revealed to the entire world; and is manifest in the consciences of all human beings.

The only difference between those people who receive the righteousness of God and the wrath of God is regenerative faith in Christ. "The just live by faith," (Rom. 1:17b); whereas the wicked are "given up to uncleanness," (Rom. 1:24a). What is being revealed to *our* hearts today: God's righteous-ness or His wrath?

[Puritan quote of the day: "A good life adorns religion; a good tongue propa-gates it.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Great Gain of Godliness"]