Wed., 8/12/09 Devotion (1 Sam. 2:1b)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Samuel 2:1b, where we read these words:

" . . . I smile at my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation."

This little phrase (above), originally spoken by Hannah the mother of the prophet Samuel, impressed me this morning. When the Bible speaks of God, or His churchmen, "smiling" at their foes, what it means is that they are more or less saying, "Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah" to them (their enemies). And the *reason* the redeemed of the Lord may do this is because they have Christ's salvation in and on them.

The poor devil is really a miserable creature. He envies the freedom of the children of God; and though he troubles us, in the end everything Satan seeks to do against us (the church) only forwards our godliness. The same can be said for the flesh, and the world. In light of this, let us "smile at [our] enemies."

[Puritan quote of the day: "Take heed, that you do not lay the stress and weight of all your comfort upon duty . . . " --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Tues., 8/11/09 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 guy named Ebed-Melech. The Lord specifically commissioned the prophet Jeremiah to say this to Ebed-Melech. Almost everyone else in Jerusalem was going to get wiped-out by the Babylonians; but this Ethiopian (maybe not even a Jew) was going to be spared.

And why? Because E-M put his trust in God. There is great power in faith. Too often, we think our strength is in how well we do (at obeying God). But this is not the source of our power nor our encouragement. Faith pleases God (Heb. 11:6); and the Lord will overlook an abundance of weakness, while marveling at faith.

[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"

Mon., 8/10/09 Devotion (Acts 28:22b)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 28:22b, where we read these words:

" . . . For concerning this sect [Christianity], we know that it is spoken against everywhere."

Have you ever wondered why the *best* people and things in the world are so often "spoken against everywhere"? Why would Jesus Christ be spoken against? Why would His church be spoken against? Why would His choicest saints (like John Calvin and/or the Puritans, for instance) be spoken against?

The reason is because the Lord Jesus Himself, His faithful church, and the most godly (influential) saints all reprove sin. And sinners don't
like this. This is why the world esteems people that don't deserve it; and belittles all those that do. Christ Himself said it best, in Lk. 6:26: "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets."

[Puritan quote of the day: "The Spirit of adoption is a pledge and earnest of the whole inheritance . . . " --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 8/7-9/09 Devotion

So as to help prepare you for the Lord's Day's church worship services, here are some good words from the great Jonathan Edwards, as
they are taken from his sermon entitled, "God Glorified in Man's Dependence":

"The grace of God in bestowing this gift [of grace] is most free. God was under no obligation to bestow it. He might have rejected fallen man as He did the fallen angels. We never did anything to merit it; it was given while we were yet enemies, and before we had so much as repented. It was from the love of God, who saw no excellency in us to attract it; and it was without expectation of ever being requited for it. And it is from mere grace that the benefits of Christ are applied to such and such particular persons. Those who are called and sanctified are to attribute it to the good pleasure of God's goodness alone, by which they are distinguished. He is sovereign, and has mercy on who He will have mercy."

Thurs., 8/6/09 Devotion (Acts 24:25a)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 24:25a, which says this:

"Now as [Paul] reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid . . . "

Here (above) the Apostle Paul is evangelizing the public official Felix. The *order* of Paul's discourse is intriguing (as it is given us by the Holy Spirit, here in the Book of Acts). Paul *starts* with "righteous-
ness." You can be sure he put all the stress on *Christ's* righteousness, imputed to sinners, by grace through faith (alone). Only then, does the apostle go into "self-control," and "the judgment to come."

Too often well-meaning believers seek to "evangelize" by telling people they need to change the way they live; and by "scaring" them (with judgment). These areas are important; but they are never effective without the gospel: the righteousness of Christ being freely offered to sinners.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The word 'Father' is a sweet word, for it sweetens all our duties." --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Wed., 8/5/09 Devotion (Ps. 4:6-7)

Today's encouragement comes from David's words of Psalm 4:6 & 7, which say this:

"There are many who say, 'Who will show us any good?' LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased."

Many pessimists are abroad today, especially in the religious world. Pessimism is a good cloak, (or so it is thought), for unbelief. David's hope was not in the things worldlings seek after (solely): money, clothing, houses, prestige, etc. David enjoyed, as all the godly do, a "secret feast" of the soul, whereby he was constantly nourished and refreshed.

See the kingdom with the eyes of faith in Jesus. Even today, partake of the realm of Christ's grace (in your soul). In this way, you carry about with you, even here, a real piece of heaven.

[Puritan quote of the day: "As God has two places He dwells in, heaven and a humble heart, so the devil has two places he dwells in, hell and a hard heart." --Thomas Watson, in "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Tues., 8/4/09 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 being Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity.

Once Paul knows that it is the Risen Jesus who is speaking to him, he (Paul) is in a position to ask Christ what he should do. God had Paul go into Damascus, get baptized, and hear what his marching orders for the rest of his life would be. There is a lesson here: those who know Christ, 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"]