Wed., 7/3/24 Devotion (Josh. 5:12)

Today's encouragement comes from Joshua 5:12, where we read these words:

"Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year."

When we enter the promised land of life in Christ, His gospel, His church, and His means of grace—we no longer need, look for, or desire the "extraordin-ary" measures that God (necessarily) employed in the past. The Lord is now pleased with His "ordinary” means of grace that feed us Jesus (our Manna) on the Lord’s Days: like preaching, the sacraments, and prayer.

Many religionists today—as has always been the case—are all consumed with things that are now abrogated in Christ. Let all God’s sincere churchmen enjoy Him in Jesus, through the gospel means by which He is most pleased to reveal Himself.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Feeling and freeness of spirit are often reserved until duty is discharged.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Tues., 7/2/24 Devotion (Ps. 130:3-4)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 130:3 & 4, where we read these words:

"If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared."

That God forgives sin at all is an astounding fact. If the Lord kept track of our sins, and harbored them against us, we would have no hope of "standing" on the great Judgment Day. But, because Jesus Christ bore all the sins of all His elect churchmen, who would, in time and space, be brought to believe in Him alone for their atonement, by grace—many sinners go free, and will never have to bear the condemnation of God.

If we are in this blessed condition today, then we have *no* real troubles to speak of. We may have numerous hassles that harangue us—but we have no real problems. People who are not forgiven their sins have serious issues; but we do not. For our most-blessed standing before God, let us be ever-thankful; and let us share the good news of Jesus with the world around us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Grace is not glorious if we add the least thing of our own to it.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Mon., 7/1/24 Devotion (Matt. 11:28)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 11:28, where we read these blessed words which fell from the Savior's lips:

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Augustine's maxim is so true: "Our souls are restless until we find our rest in You [God]." Are our souls unsettled today? Are they restless, ill at ease, and in an uncomfortable state? If so, then let us come to Jesus. Sin and life’s trou-bles cause our hearts to "move around," like planets in the night sky. Faith in Christ’s blood atonement causes them to rest, like stars in the firmament.

A soul at rest can pray to God, and can concentrate on what is truly impor-tant. A person that is constantly restless can only do a lot of work, hoping to assuage guilt and worry. God only accepts hearts that come to Christ, and rest in Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "This may be a great comfort to you: God does not expect you to root out all presence of sin, but only to keep down the reigning of sin in you.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Mortified Christian"]