Wed., 4/9/08 Devotion (Ps. 16:6)

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 inheritance."

If we believing churchmen could see the whole picture (as God does), we would be totally amazed at how incredibly good we have it (in Christ). Because of sin, the fall, and the clogs and corruptions of our flesh--we fail to recognize this a lot of the time.

Every once in a while we get a blessed glimpse of just how wonderfully blessed we truly are. But it is faith that says, "I know I have it all, in Christ. Therefore, I will be thankful, and give God praise (despite how I might feel)."

[Puritan quote of the day: "Faith is the key that unlocks paradise, and lets in a flood of joy into the soul." --Thomas Brooks, in
"Heaven on Earth"]

Tues., 4/8/08 Devotion (Ps. 13:1-2)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 13:1 & 2, where we read these words:

"How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?"

Lots of "How long?" questions here. David is just being honest. He is miserable, and he's willing to admit it. There is no virtue in falsehood--so we should not pretend all is well with our states, when it is not the case.

David determines to worship the God he truly loves; and this brings him out of his funk, (see vv. 5-6). This was wise on his part, because no amount of darkness can stand against the light of the saints' faith in Christ. Are you down today? If you are a believing churchman, recognize that God has been good to your soul.

[Puritan quote of the day: "We see, therefore, that the condition of those with whom [Christ] was to deal was that they were bruised reeds and smoking flax; not trees, but reeds; and not whole, but bruised reeds." --Richard Sibbes, in "The Bruised Reed"]

Mon., 4/7/08 Devotion (Ps. 12:8)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 12:8, where we read these words:

"The wicked prowl on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men."

When sin is not checked, sinners go completely bonkers. The church's primary role is to preach God's gospel of grace, and to provide people a community wherein they may find refuge in Christ. When this is not happening, "all hell breaks loose" (so to speak).

When sanity is restored through the ministry of God-honoring churches, we will no longer see vile persons marching in the streets, parading their sin with pride. Instead, we will observe a different phenomenon: God's people will be exalted; and His enemies will be in hiding.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The church converts the whole world by blood and prayer." --Thomas Brooks, in "Heaven on Earth"]

Sat./Sabbath, 4/5-6/08 Devotion

Wahoo--Sunday is *almost* here! In order to prepare you for church, here is the great TW, from his work, entitled, "The Doctrine of Repentance":

"Our sins are worse than the sins of the devils. The lapsed angels never sinned against Christ's blood. Christ died not for them. The medicine of His merit was never intended to heal them. But we have affronted and disparaged His blood by unbelief.

"The devils never sinned against God's patience. As soon as they apostatised, they were damned. God never waited for the angels, but we have spent upon the stock of God's patience. He has pitied our weakness, borne with our forwardness. His Spirit has been repulsed, yet has still importuned us and will take no denial. Our conduct has been so provoking as to have tired not only the patience of a Moses but of all the angels. We have put God to it, and made Him weary of repenting (Jer. 15.6).

"The devils never sinned against example. They were the first that sinned and were made the first example. We have seen the angels, those morning stars, fall from their glorious orb; we have seen the old world drowned, Sodom burned, yet have ventured upon sin. How desperate is that thief who robs in the very place where his fellow hangs in chains. And surely, if we have out-sinned the devils, it may well put us to the blush."

Fri., 4/4/08 Devotion (Ps. 8:9)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 8:9, where David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote these words:

"O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth!"

Earlier in this Psalm, David had marveled that God even paid any attention to, or respect to mankind. Now, David gives God--not man--the ultimate expression of praise. It is "The Lord" whose name is "excellent"--even in "*all* the earth!"

There is not a square inch of this planet, where God's name is not excellent. Mankind has corrupted the whole world through the Fall (of Adam); but the Lord has restored and given hope to it in the atonement and resurrection of the Last Adam (Christ). For this blessed fact, let us give thanks and praise to God.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Hence we learn that we must not pass too harsh judgment upon ourselves or others when God exercises us with bruising upon bruising." --Richard Sibbes, in "The Bruised Reed"]

Thurs., 4/3/08 Devotion (Col. 4:2)

Today's encouragement comes from Colossians 4:2, where we read these words:

"Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiv-
ing . . . "

Prayer is a strange phenomenon. God doesn't need it; but we do. But why? I think the answer is to be found in the fact that it simply keeps us *consciously* "connected" to the Lord. Without it, we grow complacent, self-sufficient, and dull. With it, we stay in vital relationship with our God.

These things we know about prayer: it is always to be made to God, through the name and sacrifice of Christ; it is to be an honest expression of our hearts; and it is to be a means of demonstrating gratitude to the Lord for all He has done for us. Don't ever give up praying. To do so is to give up on your faith.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The heroic deeds of those great [Biblical] worthies do not comfort the church so much as their falls and bruises do." --Richard Sibbes, in "The Bruised Reed"]

Wed., 4/2/08 Devotion (Ps. 3:6)

Today's encouragement comes from David's words of Psalm 3:6, which say this:

"I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around."

What gives a believer this kind of confidence? Assurance. David, though a sinner, knew he was loved, blessed, and cherished by God. Therefore, it did not really matter that his son Absalom was chasing him all around the countryside. The result was a foregone conclusion: God would be with David, and he (David) knew it.

Unless we come to realize the blessed state of assurance of God's favor, we will always fear man (and everything else). And why not? We have no solid belief that we are in the Lord's grace. Are you a child of the King, as a member of Christ's church? If so, then seek to make your calling and election sure (2 Pet. 1:10).

[Puritan quote of the day: "[God] knows that divine manifestations of love will most awaken, quicken, and engage the soul to ways of piety and sanctity." --Thomas Brooks, in "Heaven on Earth"]