Fri.-Sabbath, 5/20-22/22 Devotion

In order to help God's people prepare for their highest and holiest privilege in this world: that being the Lord's Day observance of worship and rest, let us consider these excellent words of the great Puritan pastor Jeremiah Bur-roughs, from his outstanding book, entitled, "Gospel Remission.” . . .

"Though we ministers of Christ preach against the vanities and deceptions of this world, this is neither the main thing we do, nor is it the right method of preaching—as we minister to the hearts of people—nor is this the great end of Christ's ascension. Jesus did not give gifts principally for these things, but rather to reveal the great doctrine of the pardon of sin.

"Ministers need not flit about, in order to get esteem and love, and to make themselves honorable among the people. If they would simply apply them-selves to preaching the great doctrine God has assigned to them—that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their sin—they cannot help but gain respect in the hearts of those to whom God has appoint-ed this mercy."

Thurs., 5/19/22 Devotion (Isa. 19:24-25)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 19:24 & 25, which finds the pro-phet writing these remarkable words:

"In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, 'Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inherit-ance.' "

We should be so encouraged by the New Covenant's promises of the gos-pel’s and the church's universality, and realized victory. For Isaiah to pro-phesy these words must have seemed extremely preposterous and impos-sible to his contemporaries. But, because of the coming of the "Rod from the stem of Jesse [Christ]," (Isa. 11:1 ff.)—the fulfillment of this prophecy was not only possible, but inevitable. (For a good NT explanation of the folding togeth-er of all the nations into the church, see Eph. 2, esp. at vv. 11-13.)

Let us revel in the wonderful strength of our Savior Jesus Christ; and thank God for His comprehensive rule of the entire world.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Which of these two is more fit to take place, God's justice or man's reason? . . . The plumb line of our reason is too short to fa-thom the depth of God's justice.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Wed., 5/18/22 Devotion (Ps. 71:16b)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 71:16b, where we read these words (of David):

" . . . I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only."

This little phrase (above) is a good reminder that the *only* Human Being who has any *inherent* righteousness is Jesus Christ alone. All of *our* righ-teousness is derived from Christ, via imputation. (We have no righteousness of our own—ever since Adam's fall.) When it comes to the greatest form of righteousness (i.e. justification before God), this is Christ’s righteousness giv-en over to our account. When it comes to any form of "civil" righteousness (which cannot and does not save), any person may possess it, but it is given as a token of God's "common" grace.

Let us who have received the gift of regeneration in Christ bless God that we possess *His* (Jesus') Own righteousness. This is the great advantage of the true church; and it is cause for extreme rejoicing.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The truth is, we should listen as much to the voice of God in the ministry of His Word as if the Lord should speak out of the clouds to us.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Worship"]

Tues., 5/17/22 Devotion (1 Pet. 4:19)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Peter 4:19, where we read these words:

"Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator."

Suffering is never fun; but it can forward the genuine progress of the saints of God’s true church. Suffering has a cleansing effect on our souls; and it draws us back to Christ. If we are going to have to suffer anyway, let us do so for doing good, or for insisting on God's ways. "Commit[ting [our] souls" to God means that we do what is right, and leave the consequences with our Heav-enly Father.

It is interesting that Peter refers to the Lord as a faithful "Creator," at the end of this verse—rather than a Redeemer. God's creation covers everything in the universe: those things that positively affect our obedience, and those things that "negatively" affect it.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Satan tempts us to sin under a pretense of relig-ion. He is most to be feared when he transforms himself into an angel of light.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]

Mon., 5/16/22 Devotion (Ps. 56:3-4)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 56:3 & 4, where David wrote these words:

"Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?"

God's children are, from time-to-time, afraid. David had his problems; and un-doubtedly we have ours, too. It is precisely at the exact moment of fear, how-ever, that we are most able to strengthen ourselves in God's grace, and trust Him. This trust, then, has the effect of turning fear away from us. After that, a renewed sense of confidence in Jesus arises in our hearts, which allows us to say, "What can flesh do to me?"

Let us not be undone by fear. Instead, let us turn it on its head; and use it for our own advantage. Let us see it as a fresh opportunity to trust God in and through our Lord Jesus Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Purity of heart is the jewel which is hung only upon the elect. As chastity distinguishes a virtuous woman from a harlot, so the true saint is distinguished from the hypocrite by his heart-purity.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Beatitudes"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 5/13-15/22 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is almost here! We get to go back to church again!! In order to help us get ready for Worship, here is Thomas Watson, from his, "The Spiritual Watch" treatise. . . .

"Keep your heart as you would keep a temple. The temple was a hallowed place, set apart for God's worship. Just so, the heart is the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16). This heart-temple must be kept pure and holy—no filth may lie here. Sweep the dust out of the temple. The vessels of the temple were cleansed (2 Chron. 29:15). Thus the memory, affections, and conscience, these temple vessels, must be cleansed (2 Cor. 7:1). Christ whipped the buy-ers and sellers out of the temple in John 2. The cares of the world will be crowding into the heart. Now you must get a whip made of the threatenings of the Law, and drive these money-changers out of the temple of your heart. Do not let God's temple be turned into a worldly market.

"The temple had a fire burning on the altar; take heed of strange fire. But keep the fire of zeal and devotion flaming upon the altar of your heart. Do temple work and offer up the sacrifice of a broken heart. When the heart is a consecrated place, a holy of holies, then God will walk there. . . . David's heart was a dedicated temple (Ps. 119:38)."

Thurs., 5/12/22 Devotion (Jas. 4:6)

Today's encouragement comes from James 4:6, where we read these words:

"But [God] gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.' "

Are we not glad that God "gives more grace"? This is sanctifying grace, that both causes us to humble ourselves (before the Lord), and increases our hu-mility (before Him). No one in their right mind would really want to be "resist-ed" by God. Who could withstand the Almighty?

Let us humble ourselves today, under the Lord's powerful hand, and in that position enjoy the sweet peace and freedom that only come to the contrite of heart. In Christ, God does not, and cannot "resist" the truly humble soul. To them, He "gives more grace."

[Puritan quote of the day: "When you go to mourn for sin, begin aloft with Christ: and do not always think to begin below with sin, and so to come up to Christ; but begin aloft with Christ, and so by your humiliation, fall down upon sin.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]