Mon., 2/28/11 Devotion (Job 29:2, 5a)

Today's encouragement comes from Job's words from Job 29:2 & 5a, which says this:

"Oh, that I were as in months past, as in the days when God watched over me . . . When the Almighty was yet with me . . . "

Job's words (above) are typical of us, when we do not sense Christ's presence, or when we are undergoing God's temporary felt "desertion" of us (even His churchmen). When this emptiness comes upon us, we--just like Job--long for the "old days," when God was "yet with [us]." This is natural, and to be expected.

But the reality was that God had *never* taken His loving eye off of Job, not even for a moment. As a matter of fact, it could be said that the Lord was *more with* Job through his sufferings, and his sensa-
tions of isolation, than He ever was when Job prospered. Therefore, let us churchmen take heart. Even if we do not *feel* our Savior's presence--this in no way means that He has abandoned us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If we deserved God's love, we would not value it so highly." --John Owen, in, "Communion with God"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 2/25-27/11 Devotion

Yippee--it's almost Sunday! In order to get us ready for church, here is TW, from his, "Doctrine of Repentance" book. . . .

"Question 1: Do all have the same degree of sorrow?

"Answer: No, sorrow does 'recipere magis & minus' (produce greater or lesser [sorrows]). In the new birth all have pangs, but some have sharper pangs than others.

"(1) Some are naturally of a more rugged disposition, of higher spirits, and are not easily brought to stoop. These must have greater humili-
ation, as a knotty piece of timber must have greater wedges driven into it.

"(2) Some have been more heinous offenders, and their sorrow must be suitable to their sin. Some patients have their sores let out with a needle, others with a lance. Flagitious sinners must be more bruised with the hammer of the law.

"(3) Some are designed and cut out for higher service, to be eminently instrumental for God, and these must have a mightier work of humil-
iation pass upon them. Those whom God intends to be pillars in His church must be more hewn. Paul, the prince of the apostles, who was to be God's ensign-bearer to carry His name before the Gentiles and kings, was to have his heart more deeply lanced by repentance."

Thurs., 2/24/11 Devotion (Lk. 10:19)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 10:19, where we read these words of our Lord Jesus Christ:

"Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

The Messiah spoke these words to His seventy followers whom He had sent out two by two, to preach the gospel, heal the sick, and cast out demons. This same promise (above) applies to Jesus' church ministers today, (and, by extension, to the members of the church who do the work of the ministry).

It is a great blessing to know that "nothing shall by any means hurt [us]." Our souls, our inner (and most real) selves *cannot* be "hurt" in any way by either devils or men. With this perspective, we need not fear man (or Satan) at all. Instead, we can love and (rightly) fear the Lord alone.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Faith, love, trust, joy, and all other spir-
itual graces are the means by which the soul has communion with God." --John Owen, in, "Communion with God"]

Wed., 2/23/11 Devotion (Ex. 6:9)

Today's encouragement comes from Exodus 6:9, which says this:

"Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel; but they did not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage."

There is a sense in which a broken spirit and very difficult life cir-
cumstances sometimes make listening to the ministers of God quite hard to do. And yet, the very desired deliverance from these troubles is dependent upon the *hearing* of the gospel of grace. In the case of Moses, he persevered, and eventually won the ears and hearts of the people; but it did not come "automatically."

May we be patient with those who are especially-burdened with heavy cares and concerns. Love demands that we continue to speak to them. Compassion calls for our going the extra mile with them.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Suffer we must. Before we were born, God decreed it; and it is easier to complain of His decree than to change it." --Samuel Rutherford, in, "Letters of Samuel Rutherford"]

Tues., 2/22/11 Devotion (Lk. 8:25a)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 8:25a, where we read these words:

"But [Jesus] said to [His disciples], 'Where is your faith?' "

Our Lord Jesus does not ask the twelve, "Why don't you have enough faith?" (above). Instead, He asks, "*Where* is your faith?" Sometimes our faith may seem to "leave" us, or go away, or be absent (especially when we need it). Christ implies that had His followers summoned their faith, they would not have needed to wake the Messiah from His nap (on the boat).

Today, we will hear all the bad news in the world, and we (even God's churchmen) will be tempted to fear, or be rattled to such an extent that we say--like the twelve--"We are perishing!" (v. 24). Instead, let us rally our faith, and call it to mind. As we do so, we are ushering to our hearts, and our sides, our Lord Jesus Himself.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God must be revealed to us as lovely and desirable . . . before we can ever love God. The saints, in this sense, do not love God for nothing." --John Owen, in, "Communion with God"]

Mon., 2/21/11 Devotion (Ex. 4:13)

Today's encouragement comes from Exodus 4:13, where we read these words:

"But [Moses] said, 'O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.' "

Have you ever noticed that the best leaders--of the church or the state--are reluctant ones? Moses didn't want the job. He did every-
thing in his power to try to convince God to send someone else, rather than him. Moses preferred to feed sheep in Midian, over leading God's lambs through seas and wildernesses.

But some jobs just have to be done; and they have to be performed by those whom God calls. He doesn't call the ones who are anxious to lord their authority over others; but God does call those whom He Himself has prepared for the tasks. What about you and me, today? Would the Lord have us do something for His church and His world?

[Puritan quote of the day: "God takes pleasure in those that stick close to Him." --John Owen, in, "Communion with God"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 2/18-20/11 Devotion

Wahoo--it's almost Sunday! We GET to go to church again! Here is TW, from his, "A Godly Man's Picture" book. . . .

"Make use of this relationship [between Christ and His church] . . .

"When the law brings in its indictments against you. The law says, 'Here there are so many debts to be paid,' and it demands satisfaction. Acknowledge the debt, but turn it all over to your Husband, Christ. It is a maxim in law that the suit must not go against the wife, as long as the husband is living. Tell Satan when he accuses you, 'It is true that the debt is mine, but go to my Husband, Christ; he will discharge it.'

"If we took this course, we might relieve ourselves of much trouble. By faith we turn over the debt to our Husband. Believers are not in a state of widowhood but of marriage. Satan will never go to Christ--he knows that justice is satisfied and the debt book cancelled--but he comes to us for the debt so that he may perplex us. We should send him to Christ and then all lawsuits would cease. This is a believer's triumph. When he is guilty in himself, he is worthy in Christ. When he is spotted in himself, he is pure in his Head."