Fri.-Sabbath, 4/14-16/23 Devotion

Praise the Lord—it is almost Sunday! As we prepare to worship God in church on His day, here are good words from Thomas Watson's "All Things for Good.” . . .

"Christ is in heaven . . . and He prays for all believers as well as He did for the apostles. ‘I do not pray for these alone, but for all of them that shall be-lieve in Me,' (John 17:20). When a Christian is weak, and can hardly pray for himself, Jesus Christ is praying for him; and He prays for three things. First, that the saints may be kept from sin (John 17:15). 'I pray that You would keep them from evil.' We live in the world as in a cesspool; Christ prays that His saints may not be infected with the contagious evil of the times. Second, for His people’s progress in holiness. 'Sanctify them,' (John 17:17). Let them have constant supplies of the Spirit, and be anointed with fresh oil. Third, for their glorification: 'Father, I will that those which You have given Me, be with Me where I am,' (John 17:24). Christ is not content till the saints are in His arms. This prayer, which He made on earth, is the copy and pattern of His prayer in heaven. What a comfort is this; when Satan is tempting, Christ is praying! This works for our good."