Fri.-Sabbath, 1/17-19/25 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday is *almost* here! In order to help us get ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his book, entitled, "The Art of Divine Contentment.” . . .

"Let us beg the Spirit of God to teach us; we must be 'divinely taught.' The [Ethiopian] eunuch [in Acts 8] could read, but he could not understand, till Philip joined himself to his chariot, (Acts 8:29). God's Spirit must join Himself to our chariot; He must teach, or we cannot learn. 'All your children shall be taught of the Lord,' (Isa. 54:13).

"A man may read the figure on the sundial, but he cannot tell the time, unless the sun shines upon the dial. We may read the Bible over, but we cannot learn the purpose, till the Spirit of God shines into our hearts, (2 Cor. 4:6). O implore this blessed Spirit! It is God's royal prerogative to teach: 'I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit,' (Isa. 48:17)."

Thurs., 1/16/25 Devotion (Neh. 6:15-16)

Today's encouragement comes from Nehemiah 6:15 & 16, which says this:

"So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days. And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God."

God's enemies: hypocrites, unbelievers, law-mongers, and idolaters of every sort get very sad when they see the work of God in His church progressing in the world. And the reason for this, ironically, is because they comprehend that the "work was done by . . . God." Their hope is that God does not exist; or that, if He does, He is not doing anything in the world.

Let us be thankful that the "wall" of Christ's salvation has been completed, around His church. It was not man's work—it was God's work. And, instead of being "disheartened" in this world, as the godless must be—let all faithful be-lievers in Jesus be thankful and joyful.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Sin is an absurd thing. What greater indiscretion is there than to gratify an enemy? Sin gratifies Satan.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Wed., 1/15/25 Devotion (Gen. 16:13a)

Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 16:13a, where we read these words:

"Then she [Hagar] called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, You-Are-The-God-Who-Sees . . . "

Sometimes people try to convince themselves that God does *not* behold everything that happens. Whenever we sin, we are imagining that a Holy God somehow is not aware of it. But the fact is, that the Lord is cognizant—all at one time, and with total comprehension—of *everything* that occurs in the entire universe. This includes His full knowledge of every single thought we have in our hearts and minds.

This truth may cause us to tremble a bit. But then, we also remember that the Lord sees our sincere God-given faith in His Son; and, on the basis of Jesus' atonement, He forgives all the sins of His faithful church. Let us be ever-grateful for this!

[Puritan quote of the day: "You cannot gratify Satan more, nor injure your-selves more, than by living without assurance [of God's favor in Christ].”

—Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven On Earth"]

Tues., 1/14/25 Devotion (Matt. 14:13a)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 14:13a, where we read these words:

"When Jesus heard it [that John the Baptist had been killed], He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself."

This is the only place in the Gospel accounts that I am aware of, where our Lord Jesus navigated a boat by Himself. But the reason our Messiah desired to get away from everyone, and all the hubbub, is the focus of this text. The Savior had just heard of the ignominious death of His own relative (through Mary), and of His forerunner, John the Baptist.

It seems to me that our Lord was saddened by this news; and it may well have caused Him to reflect on the fact that He (Jesus) Himself would soon die on the cruel cross, giving His life for all the sins of His church. Christ's "get-away" was characteristically short-lived; but I think we can derive some prin-ciples here: it is proper for us to grieve; and we always need private time alone with our God.

[Puritan quote of the day: "See that all be well within, and then all troubles from without cannot much annoy us.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Con-flict With Itself"]

Mon., 1/13/25 Devotion (Gen. 14:21)

Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 14:21, which says this:

"Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, 'Give me the persons [lit., souls], and take the goods for yourself.' "

The Puritans were fond of using this verse as an illustration of how the devil—knowing the value of human souls—operates. Satan is glad to have his hu-man servants "prosper" in the things of this world, so long as he (the devil) gets what is of greatest worth: the soul.

Of course, God knows better than anyone the value of one human being—and that is why He gave His Son’s life for His elect church. One soul is of more worth than the entire non-human (or angelic) creation put together. Do we value our own souls, and that of other people; or do we despise their worth?

[Puritan quote of the day: "The hypocrite is a saint in jest. He makes a magni-ficent show, like an ape clothed in ermine or purple.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 1/10-12/25 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday! So as to help prepare us for the Lord's Day's church worship, here are some good words from the great Jonathan Edwards, as they are taken from his sermon entitled, "God Glorified in Man's Dependence.” . . .

"The grace of God in bestowing this gift [of grace] is most free. God was un-der no obligation to bestow it. He might have rejected fallen man as He did the fallen angels. We never did anything to merit it; it was given while we were yet enemies, and before we had so much as repented. It was from the love of God, who saw no excellency in us to attract it; and it was without ex-pectation of ever being requited for it. And it is from mere grace that the bene-fits of Christ are applied to such and such particular persons. Those who are called and sanctified are to attribute it to the good pleasure of God's good-ness alone, by which they are distinguished. He is sovereign, and has mercy on who He will have mercy."

Thurs., 1/9/25 Devotion (Matt. 9:13b)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 9:13b, where we read these words from the lips of our Lord Jesus Christ:

"For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

It is intriguing that the Messiah came to earth to call and save sinners, and not “righteous,” i.e. self-righteous people. Our ordinary way of thinking—driv-en by our fallen flesh—is to imagine that God is interested in “good,” “respect-able,” folk who can do the “religious" thing on their own. Based on this error, we are then tempted to think that, if we could just get "good enough," God might possibly cast a merciful eye upon us.

But none of this is the Christian gospel, at all. The gospel teaches us that Jesus came to save those who have and present *no* resources, as "pay-ment" for their sin. Christ *only* helps those who know they cannot help themselves. Let us believe this blessed truth; and enjoy the benefits of our Blessed Savior's redemption of us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "What is the glory of the times we live in, but God's face revealed in Christ?” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Wed., 1/8/25 Devotion (Acts 8:8)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 8:8, where we read these words:

"And there was great joy in that city."

The only time any city, town, state, or nation ever possesses real and solid joy, is when the church brings the gospel of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to it—and The Holy Spirit cause it to be received with revival fires. Here, Phil-ip had brought the good news to Samaria, a largely-despised place; and it [Samaria] gets transformed mightily (by the grace of God).

The genuineness of revival will always be manifested in the culture. It starts in the regenerated church, but it is not possible for it to be contained there. Let us pray for the Lord to raise up His pastors and churches, that will proclaim the Gospel life of Jesus to this fallen planet.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Wherever there is truth there will be victory.”

—Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit"]

Tues., 1/7/25 Devotion (Gen. 7:16b)

Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 7:16b, where we read these few words:

" . . . and the LORD shut him [Noah] in."

This account (above) is in reference to God's shutting the door of the ark, af-ter Noah, his family, and all the animals had entered it. Noah did not shut the door, neither did those outside, who would be drowned. Instead, the Lord Himself sealed His covenant community safely in the ark.

God always "shuts" His people "in." The Lord secures His redeemed people in Jesus, and His church, through sovereign regeneration in response to the gospel. No one can enter the doors He has finally closed; and no one can leave, once they are ushered in. So it is in the church today: all those who are born again by the Holy Spirit are "shut in," and they are glad to be so.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Touch a true godly man in his religion, and you touch his life and his best freedom; he lives more in his God than in him-

self . . . " —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict With Itself"]

Mon., 1/6/25 Devotion (Matt. 6:27)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 6:27, where we find our Savior saying these words:

"Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?"

Worry is the practical opposite of faith. Worry says, "I cannot really trust God to take care of my concerns; therefore I need to take matters into my own hands." Worry is highly God-dishonoring. People that are given to worry "worry" that, if they quit worrying, they are no longer caring for or about the objects of their worry. But this is a misguided approach. Care does not neces-sitate worry. In fact, the greatest expressions of care do not worry at all—in-stead, they trust God with the trouble.

Let us face it: worry is a malady and affliction that befalls all of us sinners. But we need not live in it. If we want *real* solutions to the heart-issues that are so important to us, then we are wise if we trust God to take care of them. Are we sincere Christian believers today, trusting in Jesus alone for our salvation? If so, then worry simply has no place in our lives. (If we are not trusting in Christ, then we really do have plenty to worry about.)

[Puritan quote of the day: "Ground your comfort upon a lasting and un-changeable covenant, on such a covenant that accepts will for works, desires for deeds, and endeavors for performances.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]

Thurs., 1/2/25 Devotion (Gen. 1:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 1:1, where we read these words:

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Being is to be preferred over non-existence. We ought to be glad that God made us, and that He created the whole world through The Word (Christ). The creative genius and wonder of God is good news for all of us. But the Lord's *re*-creative work, when He regenerates even one dead heart through the power of the Holy Spirit, is a greater marvel than the crafting of all the far-flung galaxies.

The very nature of reality profoundly changed forever, when God created the universe. The Triune God now "shares" existence with all that is; and He has a special eye toward His church, His most amazing creation.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Morality shoots short of heaven. It is only nature refined. A moral man is but old Adam dressed in fine clothes.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]