Thurs., 9/24/26 Devotion (2 Cor. 13:11c)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 13:11c, where we read these words:

" . . . And the God of love and peace will be with you."

Even the world relishes the idea of a God of "love and peace.” But their "love and peace” god is not the Lord of heaven and earth—the One who saves sin-ners, and makes them His beloved churched children. God’s presence is especially felt by us as we are meek and humble in Jesus.

. . . The Living God of "love and peace" *is* with us; and we particularly *ex-perience* these blessed attributes of His (love and peace), as we are matur-ing, united, and secure (as the Body of Christ), [see the earlier parts of v. 13].

[Puritan quote of the day: "If temptations arise from natural causes, then na-tural means, as medicines, are to be used and applied, and people would do well to be persuaded thereunto.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

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Wed., 9/23/26 Devotion (2 Cor. 12:8-9a)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 12:8 & 9a, where Paul wrote these words:

"Concerning this [thorn in the flesh] I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' "

The very thing we typically believe hinders our service and love for God—is often the very thing that most powerfully forwards it. Paul passionately loath-ed his thorn in his flesh, whatever it was—and yet it had the effect of "deflat-ing" him, so that he thought little of himself, and much of Christ.

It is a very difficult thing to do, but we also may think in this counter-cultural and counter-intuitive way, as we actually thank God for the hardest trials we face. Even if they *never* go away in this life, they can have the savory influ-ence of causing us to love Jesus even more.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ does not bid us (says Augustine) learn of Him to work miracles, to open the eyes of the blind, to raise the dead, but He would have us learn of Him to be meek.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Beati-tudes"]

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Tues., 9/22/26 Devotion (2 Sam. 18:9b)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Samuel 18:9b, where we read these words:

" . . . so he [Absalom] was left hanging between heaven and earth."

When our Lord Jesus Christ was on the cross, bearing the sins of all the elect church from all time, He hung, as it were, "between heaven and earth." He bridged the infinite gap between a holy God and sinful men. The regenerate churchman, who struggles through the process of sanctification, also, in a sense, is suspended "between heaven and earth.” Our old flesh nature (earth/old self), is at war with our new nature (heaven/Christ).

Where are the eyes of our hearts focused, today? If they are on earth (i.e. not on Christ), we will naturally gravitate downward. If they are in heaven (i.e. on Christ), we will, by grace, soar upwards (in our souls).

[Edwards quote of the day: "In His last sufferings, Christ sapped the very foundations of Satan's kingdom. He conquered His enemies in their own ter-ritories, and beat them with their own weapons, as David cut off Goliath's head with his own sword.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Excel-lency of Christ"]

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Mon., 9/21/26 Devotion (Ps. 72:17)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 72:17, where we read these words:

"His [Christ's] name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; all nations shall call Him blessed.” (NKJV)

Sometimes, when we see pictures of international terrorists, we might notice in the background maps of the world. This should remind us that the devil hopes to take over the entire globe, employing these, his minions. But this will never happen. Verses such as Ps. 72:17 (above) assure us that Jesus Christ and His church—and no one or nothing else—will indeed prevail.

Let us bless God for this precious truth; and then let us live by even more hearty faith (than before). This faith will manifest itself in the church's worship, love, service, and evangelism.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The church of Christ, notwithstanding her imper-fections, is in a safer state than Adam was in innocence.” —Nathaniel Vin-cent, in, "A Discourse Concerning Love"]

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Fri.-Sabbath, 9/18-20/26 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday. In order to help get us ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his elucidation of the second petition ("Thy Kingdom Come") of The Lord's Prayer, (which is also the title of his book). . . .

"Here is comfort to those who are the subjects of the King of heaven. God will put forth all the royal power for their help and comfort. 1) The King of heaven will plead their cause. 'I will plead your cause, and take vengeance for you,' (Jer. 51:36). 2) He will protect his people. He sets an invisible guard about them. 'I will be unto her a wall of fire round about,' (Zech. 2:5). A wall, that is defensive; a wall of fire, that is offensive. 3) When it may be for the good of His people, He will raise up deliverance to them. 'The Lord saved them by a great deliverance,' (1 Chron. 11:14).

"God reigning as a King, can save in any way—even by contemptible means, as the blowing of the trumpets, and blazing of the lamps, (Judges 7:20). By contrary means; as when He made the sea a wall to Israel, and the waters were a means to keep them from drowning. The fish's belly was a ship in which Jonah sailed safely to shore. God will never be short on ways of saving His people; rather than fail, their very enemies shall do His work, (2 Chron. 20:23). He sets Ammon and Mount Seir against one another. As God will de-liver His people from temporal danger, so from spiritual danger, as from sin, and from hell. 'Jesus which delivered us from the wrath to come,' (1 Thess. 1:10)."

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Thurs., 9/17/26 Devotion (2 Cor. 6:10)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 6:10, where we read these words:

“ . . . as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.” (ESV)

Paul is rehearsing his ministry life; and he concludes that every perception about him and his gospel comrades is false; and that every miraculous fact about them is true. Do you love Jesus as a member of His church? Then you will be thought a fool by the world; though, in fact, you are among the wisest people on earth.

. . . Nothing *is* as it appears. Truth is real; error is an illusion. Grace is au-thentic; works-righteousness is a fraud. Christ is supreme; everyone and everything else is subordinate. The redeemed in Jesus inherit the earth; the haters of the Messiah are the ultimate losers.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If the thing we desire is good for us, we shall have it. If it is not good, then not having it is good for us. Resting satisfied with this promise gives contentment. —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Con-tentment"]

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Wed., 9/16/26 Devotion (2 Cor. 5:6a, 7, 8a)

Today's encouragement comes from the familiar and lovely words of 2 Corin-thians 5:6a, 7, & 8a, which say this:

“So we are always of good courage. . . . for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage . . . ” (ESV)

Is this not an amazing thing, that Christ-loving regenerated churchmen are “of good courage,” no matter what happens to us in this world? Why are the true saints “of good courage”? Because it does not matter whether we are in this body while on this fallen earth, or in this body while we are in our glorified state in heaven. Here, we “walk by faith."

. . . And how is this faith manifested? In "our aim to please [the Lord],” (v. 9b). And, as this is our sincere Spirit-wrought desire, we are emboldened with a courageous fortitude in Jesus and His gospel that cannot be overthrown by anything in all of creation.

[Edwards quote of the day: "Happiness and rest are what all men pursue. But the things of the world, wherein most men seek it, can never grant it. They are laboring and spending themselves in vain.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, entitled, "The Peace which Christ Gives . . . "]

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