Wed., 11/11/26 Devotion (Heb. 6:19-20a)

Today's encouragement comes from the words of Hebrews 6:19 & 20a, which say this:

"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus . . . "

The hope of believing Christian church members is as tied to the Person of Jesus Christ, as was the rope that they used to tie to the high priest in the Old Covenant, when he entered the Holy of Holies (for fear that he would die in there, and they would not be able to get him out). When God's people are af-flicted, and tossed and turned on the sea of a world of sin and rebellion—they are always tethered to the Rock, which cannot be moved.

Since Christ is our "forerunner," then we who believe will inevitably end up where He is. Jesus is our Hope. There is none to be found anywhere else.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Keep your ear open to God and shut out sin; deaf-en your ears to the lies of the slanderer and the heretic. Do not let him have your ear who comes to rob you of your heart.” —Thomas Watson, in his ser-mon, "The Spiritual Watch"]

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Tues., 11/10/26 Devotion (2 Ki. 23:7)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Kings 23:7, which says this:

"Then [King Josiah] tore down the ritual booths of the perverted persons that were in the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the wooden image.”

True (regenerate) Christian churchmen must never underestimate the perva-siveness and perversion of religious sinfulness. Once the doctrine of Christ and the gospel of grace is gone, in comes all kinds of spiritual “sewage,” which, under healthy conditions, would seem unimaginable.

But such is the nature of the spiritual “universe.” It is bifurcated into the King-dom of Christ, and everything “else.” All the “else” is capable of the worst cor-ruption conceivable. The Kingdom (church) of Christ overcomes it—but only in the blood atonement and glorious resurrection of the Son of God.

[Puritan quote of the day: "There is nothing in the world more uneasy than the heart of a wicked man made to listen to spiritual instruction . . . " —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

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Mon., 11/9/26 Devotion (2 Ki. 22:8)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Kings 22:8, where we read these words:

"Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, 'I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD.' And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it."

This blessed incident (recorded above) led to the great reforms, revival, and reformation of the Old Covenant church—largely led by the good and faithful King Josiah. The "book" that was "found" was probably a scroll of the Book of Deuteronomy.

When the church discovers (or re-discovers) the Bible—sometimes very good things happen. And note God's order: the clergyman finds the Scripture. He then passes its goods along to the magistrate (Shaphan), who himself ends up making sure that King Josiah hears it read. Had God's Word not been heard and received with faith and repentance—none of Josiah's marvelous reforms would have taken place at all.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Let us pray that God will preserve pure ordinances and powerful preaching among us. Idolatry came in at first by the lack of good preaching.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Ten Commandments"]

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Fri.-Sabbath, 11/6-8/26 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday! Here is Thomas Watson, from his, "A Body of Divinity" book. He is dealing with Justification below. . . .

"What is meant by justification?

"It is 'verbum forense,' a word borrowed from law-courts, wherein a person arraigned is pronounced righteous, and is openly absolved. God, in justifying a person, pronounces him to be righteous, and looks upon him as if he had not sinned.

"What is the source of justification?

"The 'causa,' the inward impellant motive or ground of justification, is the free grace of God: 'Being justified freely by His [God's] grace.' Ambrose expounds this, as, 'not of the grace wrought within us, but the free grace of God.' The first wheel that sets all the rest running is the love and favor of God; as a king freely pardons a delinquent. God does not justify us because we are worthy, but by justifying us makes us worthy.

"What is the ground, or that by which a sinner is justified?

"The ground of our justification is Christ's satisfaction made to His Father. If it be asked, 'How can it stand with God's justice and holiness to pronounce us innocent when we are guilty?'--the answer is, that Christ having made satis-faction for our fault, God may, in equity and justice, pronounce us righteous. It is a just thing for a creditor to discharge a debtor of the debt, when a satis-faction is made by the surety.

"But how was Christ's satisfaction meritorious, and so sufficient to justify?

"In respect of the divine nature. As He was man He suffered, as God He sat-isfied. By Christ's death and merits, God's justice is more abundantly satisfied than if we had suffered the pains of hell forever."

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Thurs., 11/5/26 Devotion (Phil. 18)

Today's encouragement comes from Philemon, v. 18, where we read these words:

“If he [Onesimus] has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.” (ESV)

Paul is saying here, “Impute Onesimus’ wrong to my account.” The Apo-stle employs the same Greek word here, as he does in the famous Ro-mans “imputation” texts. The point is, that our sins have been imputed to Christ’s account; and His righteousness has been imputed to ours.

. . . But who are these “ours”? These are those who have been born again to a living hope in the Redeemer of God’s elect. Imputation is beautiful: it is le-gal, it is forensic, it is absolute; and it lasts forever. Let the true church bless God for Jesus Christ, the One who made perfect atonement for us.

[Puritan quote of the day: " 'Yes, I know, Satan, that Christ loves me, be-cause you tell me that He hates me.’ " —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

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Wed., 11/4/26 Devotion (Titus 3:1-2)

Today’s encouragement comes from Titus 3:1 & 2, where we read these very pertinent and relevant words:

“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” (ESV)

Sometimes we are vividly reminded about what really counts in the world. The faithful church must both take the lead in all God-glorifying behavior; and we must set the example for everyone else.

These words (above) are perfectly-suited for our day. Let all of us in the true church today find all our rest in Jesus; and, because we worship God (and not idols), we can live totally above the clamor and desperation of the world of sinners.

[Puritan quote of the day: “People are brought into the church by the liberty of the gospel and preserved by government.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

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Tues., 11/3/26 Devotion (Ps. 126:3)

Today’s encouragement comes from Psalm 126:3, where we read these love-ly words:

“The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad." (NKJV)

All those for whom “The LORD has done great things,” are “glad.” And we are “glad” because the “great things” done for us are all done in and through the One (Jesus Christ) who is, Himself, the only Source of all true and satisfying “gladness.”

The “great things” all start with and emanate from Jesus’ cross, resurrection, and ascension—and they “flow” down to the church’s saints like so many di-vine “avalanches” of blessing, grace, mercy, and gladness.

[Edwards quote of the day: "Hence we learn that a life of holiness is the pleasantest life in this world, because in such a life we have the imperfect be-ginnings of a blessed and endless sight of God.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Pure in Heart Blessed"]

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