Fri.-Sabbath, 4/9-11/10 Devotion

Yippee--it's almost Sunday. Here is Richard Sibbes, from his book, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself." May these words encourage us, as we prepare for the church's worship of God:

"For our better encouragement in these sad times, and to help our trust in God the more, we should often call to mind the former ex-
periences, which either ourselves or others have had of God's good-
ness, and make use of the same for our spiritual good. 'Our fathers trusted in You,' says the Head of the church, 'and they were not con-
founded,' (Ps. 22:14). God's truth and goodness is unchangeable, 'He never leaves those who trust in Him,' (Ps. 9:10). So likewise in our own experiences, we should take notice of God's dealings with us in different ways; how many ways He has refreshed us, and how good we have found Him in our worst times. . . . If His nature and His word and His former dealing has been sure and square, why should our hearts be wavering?"

Thurs., 4/8/10 Devotion (Ps. 13:1a, 6)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 13:1a & 6, where we read these words:

"How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? . . . I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me."

How could David's perspective change so dramatically, in the span of only five verses? Because, in v. 5, he re-asserts his faith in God. This dispelled his "sorrow," and his melancholy musings of heart.

All of us even in the church are prone to the sagging, drooping gravity of sadness and heaviness of soul. The answer to this syndrome is faith. Trusting in Jesus raises us up, even against the wind and force of op-
position, into the heavenlies. Don't give into despair today. Instead, refresh your faith in Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Despair is often the ground of hope."
--Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Wed., 4/7/10 Devotion (Ps. 11:1a)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 11:1a, where we read these words:

"In the LORD I put my trust . . . "

Because David put his trust in the Lord, he was not ultimately moved by what happened around him down here on earth. The "foundations" may be "destroyed," (v. 3)--but he would nonetheless press on, basing all of his life in his faith in Christ.

And so it should be for us, as well. Circumstances--particularly, negative ones--are sure to impact us, and affect us--but we should not be too disturbed by them. When it is all said and done, at base, the only One we have to lean on is God Himself. This is not an easy thing to do--but the more we succeed at it (by grace), the better off we will be.

[Puritan quote of the day: "In a hopeless estate a Christian will see some door of hope opened . . . " --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Tues., 4/6/10 Devotion (Ps. 10:4b)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 10:4b, where we read these words:

" . . . God is in none of his thoughts."

Can you imagine living a life in which God is in none of one's thoughts? Actually, this is the existence of all the unregenerate. Sinners behave and think as if there was no God at all. Many people go through the motions down here with no saving or covenantal grace, and no serious notions regarding the divine (at all).

That is a sad state of affairs. Mankind is created in the image of God. We can only be fully and finally happy, as we are in communion with our Creator. This is not possible until the Holy Spirit brings us life, and we then believe in Jesus. When this happens, God is in *all* our thoughts.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If ever we mean to trust God, why not now?" --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Mon., 4/5/10 Devotion (Ps. 9:9)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 9:9, where we read these words:

"The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble."

This is a sweet verse (above), the proper application of which is sometimes misunderstood. The "oppressed" that David is referring to, are the children of God, the faithful members of His church, who are subject to the harsh wranglings of the enemies of the Lord Himself.

Trouble is sure to come. The only real question is, "Where will we go when we are subject to it?" Believers have the comfort and consola-
tion of fleeing to God Himself, who calls Himself, "a refuge for the oppressed." Are you under a pile today? Go to the Head of the church, the Lord Jesus Christ for help.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A good Christian begins his repentance where his sin begins, in his thoughts . . . " --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/2-4/10 Devotion

Wahoo--it's almost Sunday! HAPPY EASTER. HE IS RISEN! Here's Thomas Watson, to help get us ready for church. This is from his, "A Plea for the Godly" work:

"A righteous man is wise to know Jesus Christ. The natural man hears of Christ by the hearing of the ear but he does not know Him. Those who journeyed with Paul heard a voice but saw no man, (Acts 9:7). So the unregenerate person hears the minister set forth Christ as alto-
gether lovely; he hears a voice but sees no man. He does not see Christ's orient beauties. Christ is a treasure, but a hidden treasure. But a gracious soul has the veil taken off; he sees the amazing excel-
lencies of Christ: "Unto you therefore who believe He is precious," (2 Peter 2:7). His merits, graces, and benefits are precious. A righteous man has Christ's eye-salve to see his tried gold, (Revelation 3:8).

"Zeuxis, having drawn a curious piece, Nicostratus fell into the admir-
ation of it and commended it. An ignorant man stood by and asked him what rare excellency he saw in that piece. Said he, 'If you could see with my eyes, you would admire it as well as I.' So, if a carnal man could see with a spiritual man's eyes, he would wonder at those surpassing beauties in Jesus Christ which he now makes light of."

Thurs., 4/1/10 Devotion (Col. 2:8a, 9-10a)

Today's encouragement comes from Colossians 2:8a, & 9-10a, which says this:

"Beware lest anyone cheat you . . . For in [Christ] dwells all the full-
ness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him . . . "

The free lives of redeemed churchmen must always be zealously guarded. People devoid of grace--in particular, religious people de-
void of saving grace--are always seeking to "cheat" the saints of their rightful inheritance in Christ. They desire to bring us down to their level; and to see us enslaved, just like they are.

The answer to this pressure is self-understanding, which is based in Christ-understanding. The faithful churchman is "complete" in Christ. He or she needs nothing more. Since God's "fullness" is in Jesus, we do not need look to any other beings for salvation or its benefits.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ's prayer takes away the sins of our prayers." --Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]