Mon., 9/19/11 Devotion (2 Sam. 15:25-26)

Today's encouragement comes from David's words, as they are found in 2 Samuel 15:25 & 26:

"Then the king [David] said to Zadok, 'Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, He will bring me back and show me both it and His dwelling place.' "

David's attitude is a good one. He was suffering the consequences of his (forgiven) sin, as Absalom was in the process of usurping his throne. David had enough faith to believe that the ark should remain in Jerusalem, even though he (David) had to leave that city. He had enough humility to accept from the Lord whatever He would decree: either exile and death, or reinstatement and life.

Let us also have this perspective on life: not holding on too tightly to any of God's blessings; while clinging for dear life to the Lord Jesus Himself.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When Christians are more inquiring after privileges than inquiring after their duty, it is just with God to keep their comfort from them." --Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 9/16-18/11 Devotion

Yippee--God's once-a-week holy day (Sunday) is almost here. Here is Richard Sibbes, from "The Bruised Reed," to encourage us in our pre-
paration. . . .

"OUR RULE IS THE COVENANT OF GRACE

"We must acknowledge that in the covenant of grace God requires the truth of grace, not any certain measure; and a spark of fire is fire, as well as the whole element. Therefore we must look to grace in the spark as well as in the flame. All have not the like strong, though they have the like precious, faith (2 Pet. 1:1), whereby they lay hold of, and put on, the perfect righteousness of Christ. A weak hand may receive a rich jewel. A few grapes will show that the plant is a vine, and not a thorn. It is one thing to be deficient in grace, and another thing to lack grace altogether. God knows we have nothing of our-
selves, therefore in the covenant of grace He requires no more than He gives, but gives what He requires, and accepts what He gives: 'If she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtle doves' (Lev. 12:8). What is the gospel itself but a merciful moderation, in which Christ's obedience is esteemed ours, and our sins laid upon Him, wherein God, from being a judge, becomes our Father, pardoning our sins and accepting our obedience, though feeble and blemished? We are now brought to heaven under the covenant of grace by a way of love and mercy.

"It will prove a special help to know distinctly the difference between the covenant of works and the covenant of grace, between Moses and Christ. Moses, without any mercy, breaks all bruised reeds, and quenches all smoking flax. For the law requires personal, perpetual and perfect obedience from the heart, and that under a most terrible curse, but gives no strength. It is a severe taskmaster, like Pharaoh's, requiring the whole tale of bricks and yet giving no straw. Christ comes with blessing after blessing, even upon those whom Moses had cursed, and with healing balm for those wounds which Moses had made."

Thurs., 9/15/11 Devotion (Ps. 63:2)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 63:2, where David wrote these words:

"So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory."

David penned these words while he was stuck in the wilderness of Judah--separated from the Lord's tabernacle in Jerusalem. Even from the dry desert of desolation and isolation, David craved to be in his God's blessed presence.

When we are cut off from the Lord's ordinary means of grace which we would enjoy in the church (house/tabernacle) of God, let us still resort to His presence in the "sanctuary of our hearts"; and let us long for and look forward to those glorious days of sweet communion with the saints, as we gather for Sunday's church worship services.

[Puritan quote of the day: "[God's] ways are secret, but always just. God is most in His way when we think He is out of His way." --Thomas Watson, in, "The Great Gain of Godliness"]

Wed., 9/14/11 Devotion (2 Cor. 3:5-6a)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 3:5 & 6a, where Paul wrote these words:

"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant . . . "

What has God given us to do, in this life? Are we content with our as-
signments? Is it a bit "less glamorous" than we would have desired? The sufficient Lord supplies His saints with all the resources we need, in order to fulfill our God-given roles on earth. Especially the church's ministry itself, which cannot be done in the flesh without great shame--is totally dependent upon the grace of Christ.

Let us not be discouraged, if we are faithful (by grace) in our spheres. Let us thank God that He has equipped ua, and honored us with His seal of love.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The Son is the fullness of God, and the church is the fullness of the Son of God." --Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Glory of God"]

Tues., 9/13/11 Devotion (Ezek. 16:63b)

Today's encouragement comes from Ezekiel 16:63b, where we read these amazing words:

" ' . . . when I provide you an atonement for all you have done,' says the Lord GOD."

These words mark the end of the otherwise-quite-lurid ch. 16 of Eze-
kiel. Just when all seemed lost and hopeless, and even after God had detailed His condemnation of Judah's idolatry and iniquity--here comes the good news of atonement.

Why would the Lord provide His people of old, or His church today atonement, (and resulting remission of sins)? Is it not because of His love for His elect, secured from all eternity, in His gracious decrees? The redeemed of the Lord *deserve* judgment, hell, and wrath; but, in Christ, we *get* forgiveness, adoption, and sanctification. Let the faithful church love this great God today; and live for Him with sin-
cerity and zeal!

[Puritan quote of the day: "Providence has ordered that condition for you which is really best for your eternal good." --John Flavel, in, "The Mystery of Providence"]

Mon., 9/12/11 Devotion (2 Cor. 1:24c)

Today's encouragement comes from the few words of 2 Corinthians 1:24c, which say this:

" . . . for by faith you stand."

When it is all said and done, the entire life of the true religion re-
volves around the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ--Who is known by us through faith alone. This is why Paul could write to the rebellious and proud Corinthian believers that "by faith [they] stand."

A lot of times in religion the emphasis is put on all kinds of other things, like, "I'm going to be sure to obey everything the Bible says"; or, "I'm going to try real hard to be a good Christian." These state-
ments have their place--but they don't amount to a hill of beans without simple faith. This is why the little believing baptized child stands infinitely taller than the proud pharisee (in the eyes of God).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Can the soul be sad while God is with it?"
--John Flavel, in, "The Mystery of Providence"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 9/9-11/11 Devotion

Wahoo--it's almost Sunday again!! We *get* to go back to church! Here is Richard Sibbes, from his amazing "The Bruised Reed" book. . . .

"SIMPLICITY AND HUMILITY

"Preachers should take heed likewise that they hide not their meaning in dark speeches, speaking in the clouds. Truth fears nothing so much as concealment, and desires nothing so much as clearly to be laid open to the view of all. When it is most unadorned, it is most lovely and powerful. Our blessed Saviour, as He took our nature upon Him, so He took upon Him our familiar manner of speech, which was part of His voluntary abasement. Paul was a profound man, yet he became as a nurse to the weaker sort (1 Thess. 2:7).

"That spirit of mercy that was in Christ should move His servants to be content to abase themselves for the good of the lowest. What made the kingdom of heaven 'suffer violence' (Matt. 11:12) after John the Baptist's time, but that comfortable truths were laid open with such plainness and evidence that the people were so affected with them as to offer a holy violence to obtain them?

"Christ chose those to preach mercy who had felt most mercy, as Peter and Paul, that they might be examples of what they taught. Paul be-
came all things to all men (1 Cor. 9:22), stooping unto them for their good. Christ came down from heaven and emptied Himself of majesty in tender love to souls. Shall we not come down from our high con-
ceits to do any poor soul good? Shall man be proud after God has been humble? We see the ministers of Satan turn themselves into all shapes to 'make one proselyte' (Matt. 23:15). We see ambitious men study accommodation of themselves to the humours of those by whom they hope to be raised, and shall not we study application of ourselves to Christ, by whom we hope to be advanced, nay, are already sitting with Him in heavenly places? After we are gained to Christ ourselves, we should labour to gain others to Christ. Holy ambition and covet-
ousness will move us to put upon ourselves the disposition of Christ. But we must put off ourselves first."