Friday, August 12, 2022

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. . . . "