Wed., 8/31/22 Devotion (Ps. 39:7)

Today's encouragement comes from the words of Psalm 39:7, which say this:

"And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You."

In vv. 4-6, David had surveyed his life, and determined that there was not really much to it, especially timeframe-wise. Now, it is as if he says to God, "In light of the brevity of my existence, what does it all amount to? What am I here for?" And the answer, by grace, is, "I am here for You, Lord. You are the only One I hope in."

What do we "wait for"? If it is for anything less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself we are wasting our lives, and our days. Let us put our hope in Him. Let us "wait" for Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "True gospel mourning begins in the love of God, and ends in the hatred of sin.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Beatitudes"]

Tues., 8/30/22 Devotion (1 Sam. 23:14)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Samuel 23:14, where we read these words:

"And David stayed in strongholds in the wilderness, and remained in the mountains in the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand."

The devil, his demons, and God's human enemies pursue Christ's true churchmen "every day"; but thankfully, our loving Heavenly Father does not allow us to be delivered into their hands. There are times when it is appro-priate for us to hide in God's "strongholds"; and there are other times when we have to go on the offensive, and put our adversaries to flight (cf. Jas. 4:7).

In any case, there is never a permanent reprieve from this spiritual dynamic while we are down here as the church militant. At all times, we are to be watchful and diligent. In Christ, however, we always possess the victory, (cf. Rom. 8:37).

[Puritan quote of the day: "The fragrance of the graces of God's Spirit in His people, which is delightful to God and His saints, puts wicked men into a rage.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit"]

Mon., 8/29/22 Devotion (Ps. 37:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 37:1, where we read these words:

“Fret not yourself because of evildoers; do not be envious of wrongdoers!” (ESV)

If any of us need a complete (and liberating) “re-setting” of our minds, as we live in a perversely corrupted fallen world—then I would strongly recommend a slow, prayerful reading of David’s great Psalm 37.

. . . As we ingest these words, and they form the continual nourishment of Christ in our souls—our perspectives get wondrously clarified, our fears total-ly vanish, our hope in Jesus flourishes; and our anticipation of the true church’s sure and steady advance and triumph is confirmed. Bless God for texts such as these!

[Puritan quote of the day: "Let us assure ourselves that God's grace, even in this imperfect state, is stronger than man's free will in the state of original per-fection.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 8/26-28/22 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday is almost here. We get to go back to church. In order to help get us ready for Worship, here is the great (and gentle) church under-shepherd John Calvin. These words come from his “Institutes of the Christian Religion.” . . .

“Our Lord generously offers Himself to us in His Son Jesus Christ, promising us through Him all happiness in place of our misery, all fullness in place of our poverty, and opening up to us in Him [Christ] all His heavenly treasures and riches, so that our faith may look wholly to His precious Son, our expectation be wholly directed to Him, and our hope rest entirely in Him. Here is a secret, hidden and unsuspected philosophy which cannot be grasped by means of syllogisms; but those understand it whose eyes our Lord has opened, so that in His light they plainly see."

Thurs., 8/25/22 Devotion (1 Sam. 17:26b)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Samuel 17:26b, where we find David saying this:

" . . . For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

We have got to love David's heroic spirit here (above). He had a simple and sincere faith in God, so he could not understand why anyone would be afraid of a giant (Goliath). "Compared to The Lord, who is this Philistine?," would be David's way of thinking.

And so it is today. The church needs an army of "Davids," who will not cower before the blubbering, blustering, bloated "giants" of lies, idolatry, heresy, blasphemy, sodomy, and atheism—all of which are full of hot air and possess no substance. Let us, like David, take our stand on The Christ of the gospel of grace, and fight as the “army of the living God."

[Puritan quote of the day: "Such is the goodness of our sweet Savior that He delights still to show His strength in our weakness.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Wed., 8/24/22 Devotion (Ps. 32:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 32:1, where we read these words:

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered."

If sins are covered—and only the shed blood of God’s priceless Son can ac-complish this—then a person is truly blessed (or genuinely happy). If sins are not covered, then that person who bears them can in no way be truly happy, or at peace.

Forgiven people are not sinless; but the guilt of their trespasses is forever re-moved, and their iniquity is not "imputed" to them, (see v. 2). Instead, Christ's perfect righteousness *is* imputed to them. Who are these most-magnificent-ly blessed human beings? Regenerated Christian churchmen—who do not trust in themselves, but in Jesus alone.

[Puritan quote of the day: "We then, who are Christians, having made a vow to Christ in baptism, and so often renewed it in the blessed sacrament [of the Lord's Supper], should, with much contentment, choose rather to suffer than violate our sacred oath.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Content-ment"]

Tues., 8/23/22 Devotion (Rom. 13:14)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 13:14, where we read these words:

"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to ful-fill its lusts."

How do we "put on the Lord Jesus Christ"? It is an intentional act of a regen-erated will, that, by faith, covers one's soul with Jesus and His righteousness—much like a person would put on an outer garment. When we "put on Jesus," we are, of necessity, also "taking off" everything that is in opposition to Him, viz. all known sin.

The "flesh" will always be with us in this world. The way to “crucify" it, is not by trying to take it on in our own strength. We are no match for it. Instead, we “suffocate” the flesh via our spiritual “overcoat,” Who is the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. The flesh has no power against the Son of God.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Therefore, now go to Jesus, the Supreme Head of the church and Bishop of souls. . . . He ever lives to provide for His church, and to guide and feed HIs flock.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Sorrows of the Bereaved Spread before Jesus"]

Mon., 8/22/22 Devotion (1 Sam. 14:45b)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Samuel 14:45b, where we read these interesting words:

"As the LORD lives, not one hair of his [Jonathan's] head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day."

The people of Israel (here, above) are saving Jonathan, Saul's son, from Saul's ridiculous plan to kill him. The words they use in their defense of Jona-than are interesting ones: "he [Jonathan] has worked with God this day." There is a legitimate sense in which Christians "work with God”—not only in the world, preaching the gospel and conquering His foes; but even in the sanctification process, whereby our new man in Christ "cooperates" with The Spirit's work which conforms us into our Savior’s image. Nonetheless, we ab-solutely NEVER work “with God” for our justification. We are entirely passive in it, as it comes to us as a priceless gift of God’s grace.

In the proper sense of the term, may all of us believers be found to be "work-ing with God" today, as we fully trust in Jesus our blessed Redeemer.

[Puritan quote of the day: "We cannot of ourselves think a good thought (2 Cor. 3:5), but the Spirit elevates and fixes our hearts on God.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Great Gain of Godliness"]

Thurs., 8/18/22 Devotion (Ps. 24:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 24:1, which says this:

"The earth is the LORD'S, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein."

One of the biggest international religious fads to be in vogue right now is earth-worship. The hysteria over "environmentalism" is its creed, and a myri-ad of fools are its high priests. The idea is that the earth is of ultimate value, and that human beings are to be subservient to it, (and are to essentially worship it).

But according to Ps. 24:1, it is GOD who ultimately "owns" the earth, because He is the One who created it. The Lord has "given” the earth to the meek of His church (cf. Matt. 5:5)—but He did this, not so that we would worship it, but so that it would bless us. God would have us be good stewards of His crea-tion; but He would have us pay homage to *Him* alone, and not to what He has made.

[Puritan quote of the day: "And so, as to the church in general, by Christ it will have its victory.”—Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Wed., 8/17/22 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 elect church (in every age). No matter how bad things are, or what direction they seem to be going—the Lord cannot be prevented from extending His kingdom through gospel-pro-clamation, and spreading His grace on His chosen children.

Many people today fear and dread evil days. This is an easy thing to do. But it takes faith to believe verses such as this one (above). Let all 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"]

Tues., 8/16/22 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 their 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 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"]

Mon., 8/15/22 Devotion (1 Sam. 5:3a)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Samuel 5:3a, where we read these words:

"And when the people of Ashdod arose early in the morning, there was Da-gon, fallen on its face to the earth before the ark of the LORD."

This account (above) is part of the story of when the Philistines put the ark of the Lord in the temple of their false god Dagon. While the two objects were set there next to each other, Dagon fell down from his pedestal, and had to give homage to the Lord (through the ark's presence). The poor idol could do nothing, except collapse, and break off its head and hands (see v. 4).

So it is with all idols (or false gods)—be they the primitive type of the Philis-tines; or the "sophisticated" style of false believers today—they all end up having to fall down and give honor to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son of God. Let us be thankful for this fact; and let us be sure to abhor all our own idols.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is, I say, natural to think, but it is not natural to think of God; this is proper to a saint.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Great Gain of Godliness"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 8/12-14/22 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday, the Lord's Day! We GET to go to church again. In order to help us prepare for worship, here is Richard Sibbes, from his, "The Bruised Reed" book. . . .

“Overcoming Discouragements . . .

"Suffering brings discouragements, because of our impatience. 'Alas!,' we lament, 'I shall never get through such a trial.' But if God brings us into the trial He will be with us in the trial; and at length He will bring us out, more re-fined. We shall lose nothing but dross (Zech. 13:9).

"From our own strength we cannot bear the least trouble, but by the Spirit's assistance we can bear the greatest. The Spirit will add His shoulders to help us to bear our infirmities. The Lord will give His hand to lift us up (Psa. 37:24). 'You have heard of the patience of Job,' says James (Jas. 5:11). We have heard of his impatience too, but it pleased God mercifully to overlook that. . . .

"And, to come to the matter we are now about, the Sacrament [of The Lord's Supper]—it was ordained not for angels, but for humans; and not for perfect people, but for weak people. . . . "

Thurs., 8/11/22 Devotion (Jer. 39:18b)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 39:18b, where we read these words:

" . . . 'But your life shall be as a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me,' says the LORD."

This statement (above) was made by God, to an Ethiopian man named Ebed-Melech. The Lord specifically commissioned the prophet Jeremiah to say this to Ebed-Melech. Almost everyone else in Jerusalem was going to feel the wrath of the Babylonians; but this Ethiopian man (maybe not even a Jew) was going to be spared.

. . . And why? Because Ebed-Melech put his trust in God. There is great pow-er in regenerative, saving faith in Christ. This kind of faith pleases God (Heb. 11:6); and the Lord promises to bless all those who believe His promises, all in Jesus, (cf. 2 Cor. 1:18-22).

[Puritan quote of the day: "The saints and people of God have no true reason for their discouragements, whatever their condition be.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"

Wed., 8/10/22 Devotion (Acts 28:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 28:6, where these words are found:

"However, they were expecting that [Paul] would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god."

Behold the amazing fickleness of religious man. In v. 4, the Maltese thought Paul was a murderer. Two verses later, they think he is a god. There is a les-son for us here: it is the weakness of the flesh to automatically run to wild ex-tremes, in the evaluation of people. The truth is that even the redeemed of the Lord operate in the "middle," "gray area," where our new nature in Christ is gaining the ascendency over our old nature in Adam.

Let us be wary of either exalting or demeaning God's people. Only Christ is 100% perfect in every way.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Zeal quickens the pursuit after glory. Zeal, encoun-tering difficulty, is emboldened by opposition and tramples upon danger.”

—Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Tues., 8/9/22 Devotion (Acts 27:31)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 27:31, where we read these words:

"Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, 'Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.' "

What Paul says (above) regarding the merchant ship on which he and many others were sailing, God would say to all professing Christians: "Unless you stay in the gospel ship (of Christ as His church), you cannot be saved." Why would anybody want to "jump ship"? Because of persecution, trial, fiery fur-naces of affliction, cowardice, unbelief, etc.

The good ship of Jesus sails over the sea of judgment today, as Noah's ark did in the book of Genesis. Let all God's true children stay faithful in Christ and His church—and enjoy the voyage, even when it gets bumpy.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Not one of all God's true soldiers was ever left to perish on the field of battle.” —Thomas Jones, in the preface of Isaac Am-brose's, "The Christian Warrior"]

Mon., 8/8/22 Devotion (Acts 26:8)

Today's encouragement comes from Paul's words, as they are found in Acts 26:8:

"Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?"

Authentic Christianity is all about resurrection life, at every turn. The faith of believers is built on the objective historical fact of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. And the current experience of regeneration (resulting in justifi-cation, etc.) is the fruit of the soul's resurrection with Jesus (even now). If we take resurrection out of any aspect of our faith, we have nothing left.

All resurrection (or Spirit-filled) living is miraculous; but, as Paul avers above, it is not impossible, or irrational. What struggles do we have today? Let us, by faith, go to the resurrected Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is not so much the sins we have committed that so provoke and grieve Christ as that we refuse the medicine of repentance which He prescribes.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 8/5-7/22 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday again. We *get* to go back to church! In or-der to help get us ready, here is Richard Sibbes, from his, "The Bruised Reed" classic. . . .

“Justification Leads to Sanctification . . .

"1. The first and chief ground of our comfort is that Christ as a priest offered Himself as a sacrifice to His Father for us. The guilty soul flies first to Christ crucified, made a curse for us. . . .

"2. In the course of our life, after we are in a state of grace, if we are overtak-en with any sin, we must remember to have recourse first to Christ's mercy to pardon us, and then to the promise of His Spirit to govern us.

"3. And when we feel ourselves cold in affection and duty, the best way to overcome this is to warm ourselves at this fire of His love and mercy in giving Himself for us.

"4. Again, remember this, that Christ rules us by a spirit of love, from a sense of His love, whereby His commandments are easy to us. He leads us by His free Spirit, a Spirit of liberty. . . . The constraint that He lays upon His subjects is that of love. He draws us sweetly with the cords of love. . . . Christ's Spirit must likewise subdue our hearts, and sanctify them to love Him, without which all motives would be ineffectual."

Thurs., 8/4/22 Devotion (Acts 22:8a, 10a)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 22:8a & 10a, where we read these words:

"So I [Paul] answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ . . . So I [Paul] said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ "

All human beings—even extremely zealous pharisaical ones, like the pre-converted Paul—know that there is a God. What they do not know, is that He is accessed through a God-Man “Lord”—that Savior being Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity.

Once Paul knew that it was The Risen Jesus who was speaking to him, he (Paul) was in a position to ask Christ what he should do. God had Paul go in-to Damascus, get baptized, and hear what his marching orders for the rest of his life would be. There is a lesson here for us: those who know Jesus, by sovereign grace, will exercise faith in living for Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Whatsoever you desire that God should give you, cast that upon the Lord.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Wed., 8/3/22 Devotion (Jer. 31:3)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 31:3, where these uplifting words are found:

"The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: 'Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.' "

Without this promise of divine love there would never be any hope for any of God's people. God's love for His church is not conjured-up in space and time; it is not a result of anything "good" in us, that draws His attention. Instead, God's affection for His elect is bound up in Christ; and it was firmly establish-ed before The Holy Trinity ever created anything. And based on this sove-reign and gracious decree, God "draws" His children, irresistibly, to Himself, in Jesus, according to His perfect pleasure, time, and plan.

Let us be thankful that ours is a God of love. Without this love perfectly ex-pressed in Christ, there would be nothing to live for.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Sinner, the day you leave your sins and set upon a course of holiness, God will pardon all that is past. . . . The Lord never up-braids a penitent with former unkindnesses.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Mis-chief of Sin"]

Tues., 8/2/22 Devotion (Jer. 31:12a, c)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 31:12a & c, where we read these words:

"Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, streaming to the goodness of the LORD . . . Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, and they shall sorrow no more at all."

Jeremiah the prophet (above) is speaking of the Gospel times the church has lived in since the resurrection of the Messiah. Believers stream to Christ, singing His praise in and as His body, His church. Their souls are satisfied and nourished. They continue to struggle with the flesh, sin, the world, and the devil—but they do not "sorrow" anymore, because their sins are forgiven.

Let us go forth rejoicing this week, as we serve our King Jesus in the various places in which God has assigned us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Difficulty commends duty, and the less you have to sweeten your action the more sweet it is to God.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lift-ing Up for the Downcast"]

Mon. 8/1/22 Devotion (Acts 19:20)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 19:20, where we read these few words: 

"So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed." 

It is good for both the church and the world, when the word of God grows mightily, and prevails. When the devil is put on the defensive, and the church advances boldly—real territory is gained, Christ is glorified, and all human be-ings benefit. 

Let us pray toward this end; and let us live toward this end: that the word of God would grow and prevail. Remember also, that the “Word” of God’s *ulti-mate* expression is the Incarnate “Word,” “Logos,” our Lord Jesus Christ, (cf. Jn. 1:1 ff.). Let us thank God that we know that Christ has the victory, and that He is always overcoming His enemies, (cf. 1 Jn. 2:8b). 

[Puritan quote of the day: "The Lord has a special eye upon and loves to dwell with these who are of choice and excellent spirits.” —Jeremiah Bur-roughs, in, "The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit"]