Thurs., 8/18/22 Devotion (Ps. 24:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 24:1, which says this:

"The earth is the LORD'S, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein."

One of the biggest international religious fads to be in vogue right now is earth-worship. The hysteria over "environmentalism" is its creed, and a myri-ad of fools are its high priests. The idea is that the earth is of ultimate value, and that human beings are to be subservient to it, (and are to essentially worship it).

But according to Ps. 24:1, it is GOD who ultimately "owns" the earth, because He is the One who created it. The Lord has "given” the earth to the meek of His church (cf. Matt. 5:5)—but He did this, not so that we would worship it, but so that it would bless us. God would have us be good stewards of His crea-tion; but He would have us pay homage to *Him* alone, and not to what He has made.

[Puritan quote of the day: "And so, as to the church in general, by Christ it will have its victory.”—Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Wed., 8/17/22 Devotion (Jer. 46:27)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 46:27, which says this:

"But do not fear, O My servant Jacob, and do not be dismayed, O Israel! For behold, I will save you from afar, and your offspring from the land of their cap-tivity; Jacob shall return, have rest and be at ease; no one shall make him afraid."

Behold the blessed promise God makes to His elect church (in every age). No matter how bad things are, or what direction they seem to be going—the Lord cannot be prevented from extending His kingdom through gospel-pro-clamation, and spreading His grace on His chosen children.

Many people today fear and dread evil days. This is an easy thing to do. But it takes faith to believe verses such as this one (above). Let all true believers in Jesus never lose heart. To do so is to give in to the enemy. Let us trust God to keep His promises to His beloved church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Evil is an evil thing, and yet it may be a good thing that evil should be in the world.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Decrees of God"]

Tues., 8/16/22 Devotion (Jer. 44:18)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 44:18, where we read these words: 

"But since we stopped burning incense to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been consum-ed by the sword and by famine." 

A major reason people commit idolatry is because of a serious misunder-standing of the source of blessing. Jeremiah had condemned this idolatrous worship of Ishtar, "the queen of heaven”—but the people would not risk the truth of the prophet's words, as over against their alleged stock of provision (coming from the worship of the false goddess). 

It is always wiser for us to choose to worship the true God (through Christ alone); and to get by with hardly anything; and end up in heaven—than to commit idolatry, have our "needs" met, and end up in hell.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The happiness of angels as well as of men con-sists very much in beholding the glory of God.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Wisdom of God"]

Mon., 8/15/22 Devotion (1 Sam. 5:3a)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Samuel 5:3a, where we read these words:

"And when the people of Ashdod arose early in the morning, there was Da-gon, fallen on its face to the earth before the ark of the LORD."

This account (above) is part of the story of when the Philistines put the ark of the Lord in the temple of their false god Dagon. While the two objects were set there next to each other, Dagon fell down from his pedestal, and had to give homage to the Lord (through the ark's presence). The poor idol could do nothing, except collapse, and break off its head and hands (see v. 4).

So it is with all idols (or false gods)—be they the primitive type of the Philis-tines; or the "sophisticated" style of false believers today—they all end up having to fall down and give honor to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son of God. Let us be thankful for this fact; and let us be sure to abhor all our own idols.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is, I say, natural to think, but it is not natural to think of God; this is proper to a saint.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Great Gain of Godliness"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 8/12-14/22 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday, the Lord's Day! We GET to go to church again. In order to help us prepare for worship, here is Richard Sibbes, from his, "The Bruised Reed" book. . . .

“Overcoming Discouragements . . .

"Suffering brings discouragements, because of our impatience. 'Alas!,' we lament, 'I shall never get through such a trial.' But if God brings us into the trial He will be with us in the trial; and at length He will bring us out, more re-fined. We shall lose nothing but dross (Zech. 13:9).

"From our own strength we cannot bear the least trouble, but by the Spirit's assistance we can bear the greatest. The Spirit will add His shoulders to help us to bear our infirmities. The Lord will give His hand to lift us up (Psa. 37:24). 'You have heard of the patience of Job,' says James (Jas. 5:11). We have heard of his impatience too, but it pleased God mercifully to overlook that. . . .

"And, to come to the matter we are now about, the Sacrament [of The Lord's Supper]—it was ordained not for angels, but for humans; and not for perfect people, but for weak people. . . . "

Thurs., 8/11/22 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 man named Ebed-Melech. The Lord specifically commissioned the prophet Jeremiah to say this to Ebed-Melech. Almost everyone else in Jerusalem was going to feel the wrath of the Babylonians; but this Ethiopian man (maybe not even a Jew) was going to be spared.

. . . And why? Because Ebed-Melech put his trust in God. There is great pow-er in regenerative, saving faith in Christ. This kind of faith pleases God (Heb. 11:6); and the Lord promises to bless all those who believe His promises, all in Jesus, (cf. 2 Cor. 1:18-22).

[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"

Wed., 8/10/22 Devotion (Acts 28:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 28:6, where these words are found:

"However, they were expecting that [Paul] would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god."

Behold the amazing fickleness of religious man. In v. 4, the Maltese thought Paul was a murderer. Two verses later, they think he is a god. There is a les-son for us here: it is the weakness of the flesh to automatically run to wild ex-tremes, in the evaluation of people. The truth is that even the redeemed of the Lord operate in the "middle," "gray area," where our new nature in Christ is gaining the ascendency over our old nature in Adam.

Let us be wary of either exalting or demeaning God's people. Only Christ is 100% perfect in every way.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Zeal quickens the pursuit after glory. Zeal, encoun-tering difficulty, is emboldened by opposition and tramples upon danger.”

—Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]