Mon., 12/11/23 Devotion (2 Chron. 12:12)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 12:12, which says this:

"When he [King Rehoboam] humbled himself, the wrath of the LORD turned from him, so as not to destroy him completely; and things also went well in Judah."

It is amazing, what a little (but genuine) humility will do for any one of us. God was about ready to "clean Rehoboam's clock" for his idolatry—but when the prophet came and rebuked him, he (the king) repented. God seems to be practically unable to look on a contrite soul with anything but grace, mercy, and divine pity.

This is the glory of the believing and faithful churched Christian: he or she comes to the Holy God in Christ alone—which is the ultimate expression of sincere humility. No works are trusted in, nor any alleged self-righteousness—but only the righteousness of The Pristine Savior (plus nothing).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Are your sins high as heaven? The mercies of God are above the heavens.” —Isaac Ambrose, in, "The Christian Warrior"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 12/8-10/23 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! In order to help us get ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his work entitled, "The Lord's Prayer." (He is dealing with the second petition, "Thy Kingdom Come,” here.) . . .

"God is a glorious King. 'Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory,' (Psa. 24:10). God has internal glory: 'The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty,' (Psa. 93:1). Other kings have royal and sumptuous ap-parel to make them appear glorious to beholders, but all their magnificence is borrowed. God is clothed with His own majesty; His own glorious essence is in the place of royal robes, and 'He has girded Himself with strength.' Kings have their guard about them to defend their person, because they are not able to defend themselves; but God needs no guard or assistance from oth-ers. 'He has girded Himself with strength.' His own power is His lifeguard. 'Who in the heaven can be compared to the Lord?’

"Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord?,' (Psa. 89:6). God has a preeminence above all other kings for majesty. 'He has on His vesture a name written, Rex Regum, KING OF KINGS,' (Rev. 19:16). God has the highest throne, the richest crown, the largest dominions, and the longest possession. 'The Lord sits as King forever,' (Psa. 29:10). Though He has many heirs, yet He has no successors. God sets up His throne where no other king does; He rules the will and the affections; His power binds the con-science. Angels serve Him; all the kings of the earth hold their crowns and diadems by immediate permission from this great King. 'By Me kings reign,' (Prov. 8:15). To this Lord Yahweh all kings must give account, and from His tribunal there is no appeal."

Thurs., 12/7/23 Devotion (2 Jn. 10)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 John, v. 10, where we read these words:

"If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him."

These (above) are interesting words from the tender and sensitive "apostle of love," (John). Are not sweet and kind Christian people supposed to listen to anyone? Are we not to be open to everyone's opinion on God and “truth"? Ac-tually, the answer, is, “no." Authentic love rejects error—and it does this, not just for the benefit of the true believer, but also for the sake of the proponent of heresy.

Does our spurning of heretics and heresies mean we do not try to reach these poor lost sinners bound-up in lethal error? No, it does not mean that. Here is the rule we should seek to live by: let us gently inform the proclaimers of works-righteousness that it will be *us*, and not them, that will do the evan-gelizing. If they are willing to hear us, may God graciously work in their hearts!

[Puritan quote of the day: "A great part of the pleasure and delight of the Christian life consists in the observations of Providence.” —John Flavel, in, "The Mystery of Providence"]

Wed., 12/6/23 Devotion (2 Chron. 6:18a)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 6:18a, where we read these words:

"But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? . . . "

Solomon's question, asked during his long prayer of the dedication of the temple, was fully and finally answered when Jesus Christ came to earth in His Incarnation, (which we celebrate in this Advent Season). Indeed, God *does* dwell with people on earth, even today—in and through the glorious Son of God who is the Head of His church (His dwelling place on earth).

Whatever struggles or difficulties we may be facing today may be much-eas-ed by the faithful reflection of our souls on this blessed truth: that Immanuel is with us, here and now, in Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Lord, let the magnet of Your Spirit draw my heart upward. Lord, dig the earth out of my heart; teach me how to possess the world, and not love it; how to hold it in my hand, and not let it get into my heart.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Ten Commandments"]

Tues., 12/5/23 Devotion (Lk. 19:5)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 19:5, where we read these words:

"And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him [Zacchaeus], and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.' "

This is the only place in the Gospel accounts where I can recall that the Son of God actually "looked up” at/to any man. Zacchaeus, the once-proud, swin-dling tax collector, is now humbled, and honored (by Jesus' presence in his heart, and his house).

Zacchaeus' conversion was thorough, beautiful, and remarkable. He was a comprehensively new man. From now on, the former-cheater would always "look up" to the Blessed Savior, and give Him all the glory and honor. May we do the same.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Surely, if the devil knew how much benefit would accrue to the saints through his temptations, he would quit tempting.”

—Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]

Mon., 12/4/23 Devotion (Lk. 18:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 18:1, where we read these words:

"Then He [Jesus] spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart . . . "

What is it about prayer, that God so earnestly enjoins it on us? Mostly, prayer is designed to keep us in *contact* with God, through Jesus Christ. If all was well with us all the time, we would grow remiss in prayer, and very independent of the Lord. It may well be that our Heavenly Father de-lays answering some of our prayers solely because He wants us still com-ing back to Him.

If we weary in prayer, and give up on it—it is the same thing (practically-speaking) as giving up on our belief in Christ. That is a serious matter. May we keep praying to God, all the while leaving our requests in His ca-pable, sovereign, and holy hands.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A man full of grace has Christ in his heart, and the world under his feet; grace humbles, yet elevates.” —Thomas Wat-son, in his sermon entitled, "The Beauty of Grace"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 12/1-3/23 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is coming! As we prepare for the Lord's Day, here is some encouragement from Thomas Watson's "A Body of Divinity” book. . . .

"We glorify God, by praising Him. Doxology, or praise, is a God-exalting work. Ps. 50:23: ‘Whoever offers praise glorifies Me.’ The Hebrew word 'Bara,' to create, and 'Barak,' to praise, are [only a] little different, because the end of creation is to praise God. David was called the sweet singer of Israel, and his praising God was called glorifying God. Ps. 86:12: ‘I will praise You, O Lord my God, and I will glorify Your name.’

"Though nothing can add to God’s essential glory, yet praise exalts Him in the eyes of others. When we praise God, we spread His fame and renown, we display the trophies of His excellency. In this manner the angels glorify Him; they are the choristers of heaven, and do trumpet forth His praise. Praising God is one of the highest and purest acts of religion. In prayer we act like men; in praise we act like angels. Believers are called ‘temples of God,’ (1 Cor. 3:16). When our tongues praise, then the organs in God’s spiritual tem-ple are sounding."