Thurs., 6/16/22 Devotion (Isa. 48:22)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 48:22, where we see these pow-erful few words:

" 'There is no peace,' says the LORD, 'for the wicked.' "

These words become a refrain in Isaiah. He ends major sections of his thought with them. Who are the wicked? All those who live contrary to the gospel of grace, and who refuse to love and cling to the Lord Jesus Christ. These are found both inside and outside of the realm of organized religion.

If the wicked are *never*, even for a solitary moment, at peace—then, who would want to be wicked? Do not even worldlings strongly desire a sense of solace in their hearts? Surely they think they do; but in fact they do not—since they reject the Prince of Peace. By faith, may our souls dwell content-edly in Jesus today, no matter how much turmoil swirls all around us, (cf. Rom. 5:1).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ incarnate is nothing but love covered with flesh. As Christ's assuming our human nature was a masterpiece of wisdom, so it was a monument of free grace.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divin-ity"]

Wed., 6/15/22 Devotion (Ps. 107:9)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 107:9, where we read these words:

"For He [God] satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with good-ness."

It is a good thing, to have a "hungering heart”—so long as the desired "meal" is our Lord Jesus. To long for God (through Christ) is a supreme blessing, be-cause it is one that: 1) is sure to be satisfied; and 2) leads to the highest levels of happiness imaginable (and attainable).

Human beings are so-designed, that we can only rest fully contented with Christ. Everyone who hates God, and refuses to come to Jesus, still seeks fulfillment in their own contrived "christs." But these never work. They may ar-tificially relieve a hunger for a short time—but only the True Christ meets the deepest longings of the heart.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God's will will be done upon us whether we do His will or not. There is no such thing as frustrating The Almighty.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, entitled, "God Does What He Pleases"]

Tues., 6/14/22 Devotion (Isa. 43:10b)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 43:10b, where we read these words: 

"Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me." 

Sometimes children ask, "Who made God?" No one made God, because God is in a unique category of existence—"necessary” existence—that no other reality shares with Him. But the germane point of the Scripture's teaching about God's Self-existence and eternality is not just to have interesting philo-sophical knowledge—instead, it is a spur for us to trust Him. 

Let us humbly accept the obvious fact that a God exists; and then let us go much further, and believe His gospel of grace in our blessed Lord Jesus Christ. 

[Puritan quote of the day: "A repenting person fears and sins not; a graceless person sins and fears not.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repent-ance"]

Mon., 6/13/22 Devotion (Isa. 45:5a)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 45:5a, where we read these words:

"I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me. . . . "

The Lord (YHWH) says that He *alone* is God, and that no other gods exist. Therefore, the pertinent question for us, is, “Do we believe this?” Nonethe-less, the truth of the Biblical God’s complete *exclusivity* stands, whether anyone believes it, or not. . . .

Why is it supremely-important that we savingly believe in the One True God (through Jesus Christ, The God-Man, alone); and not simply hold to a sterile monotheism? Because it is not sufficient, just to “believe in God.” Instead, we must believe in the Only God that *actually* exists. He is made known to us in and through Jesus Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is by faith that we have a title to eternal life be-cause it is by faith that we have the Son of God by whom life is.” —Jonathan Edwards, in, "Justification by Faith Alone"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 6/10-12/22 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday, the Lord's Day, the day of resurrection. Here are the good words of Richard Sibbes. This snippet comes from a treatise of his, entitled, "Denial of the Best for the Church's Benefit.” . . .

"A second thing that I observe is this, that holy and gracious men, who are led by the Spirit of God, can deny themselves and their own best good for the church's benefit. They know that God has appointed them to be instruments to convey good to others . . .

“A good man, as soon as he is a good man, has the spirit of love in him, and 'love seeks not its own,' (1 Cor. 13:6), but the good of another; and as the love of Christ and the love of God possesses and seizes upon the soul, so self-love decays. What is gracious love but a decay of self love? The more self-love decays, the more we deny ourselves."

Thurs., 6/9/22 Devotion (Isa. 41:10)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 41:10, where we find these great words:

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will streng-then you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

These promises are made to God's church, which is gathered "from the ends of the earth," (v. 9a). Faithful Christians may be fearless for only *one* rea-son: because Christ is with us. The true believer may be encouraged and strengthened—not because of some native ability or pretended righteousness or virtue—but only because the Lord is his (or her) God.

There is no hope, happiness, strength, life, or purpose outside of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us trust in His promises; and love Him with our whole hearts.

[Puritan quote of the day: "To suppose mercy without supposing misery, or pity without calamity, is a contradiction; therefore men cannot look upon themselves as proper acts of mercy unless they first know themselves to be miserable.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "Pardon For the Greatest Sinners"]

Wed., 6/8/22 Devotion (Deut. 12:30b, 31a)

Today's encouragement comes from Deuteronomy 12:30b & 31a, where we read these words:

" . . . do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way . . . "

This is a very "relevant" Scripture (above), because many (if not most) religi-ous organizations today *do* the very thing we are told not to do (here). They look at the sinful, idol-worshipping society in which we live, and they ask, "How do the people worship their gods? Let us design our services around their ways, so as to be 'relevant'."

Once a church sets out to be "relevant" to the culture with regard to its wor-ship services, that congregation has instantly become "irrelevant," (especially to God Himself). We are to look to heaven, and get our instructions from above; rather than looking to earth, to do as all the heathen do. The faithful church sets the standard for everyone, and invites sinners to come up to a life of dignity and worth (in Jesus).

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is a greater mercy to descend from praying par-ents than from the loins of nobles.” —John Flavel, in, "The Mystery of Provi-dence"]