Fri.-Sabbath, 1/30-2/1/09 Devotion

Yippee--Sunday is *almost* here! We *get* to go to church! Here's TW, from "Heaven Taken by Storm":

"Truth is the most glorious thing; the least filing of this gold is precious. What shall we be violent for, if not for truth? Truth is ancient; its grey hairs may make it venerable; it comes from Him who is 'The Ancient of Days.' Truth is unerring, it is the Star which leads to Christ. Truth is pure, (Psalm 119:140). It is compared to silver refined seven times, (Psalm 12:6). There is not the least spot on truth's face; it breathes nothing but sanctity.

"Truth is triumphant; it is like a great conqueror. When all his enemies lie dead, it keeps the field and sets up its trophies of victory. Truth may be opposed but never quite deposed. In the time of Dioclesian things seemed desperate and truth ran low. Soon after was the golden time of Constantine, and then truth did again lift up its head. When the water in the Thames is lowest, a high tide is ready to come in. God is on truth's side and so long as there is no fear it will prevail . . . "

Thurs., 1/29/09 Devotion (Gen. 30:2b)

Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 30:2b, which says this:

" . . . And [Jacob] said, 'Am I in the place of God . . . ?' "

Whenever anyone fails to look to Christ for the fullest level of life and satisfaction, the inevitable consequence is the "deification of man." This is a common form of idolatry. The simple fact is that no human being (who is not divine) can fully satisfy us. This would be true, even if this (non-divine) person was without sin.

Jacob could not give Rachel what she wanted (in the Genesis context above). Only God could do that. Let us be careful not to ascribe to anybody what only belongs to Christ alone: namely, the ability to make us supremely happy, content, full, and free.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Let us labor to cherish union and hate division." --Richard Sibbes, in "Glorious Freedom"]

Wed., 1/28/09 Devotion (Esth. 5:2a)

Today's encouragement comes from Esther 5:2a, which says this:

"And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand." (ESV)

When God sees the church, the bride of Christ, approach the throne of grace, He is pleased to hold out the golden scepter of His love, mercy, and grace. All of this is because Jesus shed His precious blood for His people.

Do you need to approach the throne of God today? Don't come empty-handed. Bring, in the arms of faith, the Savior of your soul, the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," (Jn. 1:29). No other offering will be accepted.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A child of God keeps two books always by him: one to write his sins in, so that he may be humble; the other to write his mercies in, so that he may be thankful." --Thomas Watson, in "The Godly Man's Picture"]

Tues., 1/27/09 Devotion (Gen. 28:12)

Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 28:12, where we read these words:

"Then he [Jacob] dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it."

In Jacob's dream, notice where the ladder is "set up." It is not set up in heaven, but on the earth. This is intriguing, because sometimes we mistakenly separate heaven and earth, and imagine that they are radically "separate" from one another. The actual truth is that they are *united* in the "Ladder," the Lord Jesus Christ.

Why is this an encouragement for us who are alive "down here" today? Because it reminds us that our lives here are as full and rich as the lives of the saints above (in the triumphant church). They have Jesus; we have Jesus. Heaven is where Jesus is. The closer we are to Him in this world, the closer we are to heaven (in its essence).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Let me not deny myself comfort and God glory both at once." --Richard Sibbes, in "Glorious Freedom"]

Mon., 1/26/09 Devotion (Acts 26:25)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 26:25, where Paul said this:

"I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason."

The Spirit-led words of God's apostles, ministers, and faithful people are not those of madmen, or lunatics. An unbelieving world thinks of us that way because our words seem "otherworldly" to them, viz., we talk about a crucified and resurrected Savior, of repentance, and of the kingdom of God. The actual fact is that the gospel is "more real," or "more objectively true" than anything a person could ever conceive of with the use of a fallen reason alone.

It's just that the gospel is a *higher* and nobler "truth and reason"than can be apprehended by the flesh. It can only be understood, believed, and applied by the work of the blessed Holy Spirit, using the Word of God (preached and read).

[Puritan quote of the day: "As wise and learned as you are, take heed to yourselves lest [Satan] outwit you. The devil is a greater scholar than you, and a nimbler disputant." --Richard Baxter, in "The Reformed Pastor"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 1/23-25/09 Devotion

Wahoo--it's almost Sunday! In order to help get you ready for church, here is TW, from "The Art of Divine Contentment":

"Be content, by virtue of a decree. Whatever our condition be, God the umpire of the world has from everlasting decreed that condition for us; and by His providence ordered all things thereunto. Let a Christian often think with himself, 'Who has placed me here, whether I am in a high sphere, or in a lower?' Not chance or fortune, as the purblind heathens imagined; no, it is the wise God that has by His providence fixed me in this orb. We must act that scene which God would have us. . . .

"God's providence is that helm which turns about the whole ship of the universe. Say then, as holy David, 'I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, because You, Lord, did it,' (Ps. 39:9). God's providence, which is nothing else but the carrying on of His decree, should be a counterpoise against discontent. God has set us in our station, and He has done it in wisdom. We fancy such a condition of life is good for us; whereas if we were our own carvers, we should often cut the worst piece. . . . "

Thurs., 1/22/09 Devotion (Neh. 12:43)

Today's encouragement comes from Nehemiah 12:43, where we read these words:

"Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off."

God-honoring Sabbath church worship will (inevitably) lead to a great deal of joy. This heartfelt celebration will be so profound, that those outside the church will hear it (and be impacted by it). Life is not all joy and sweetness--but there *are* special times when God Himself "[makes us] rejoice with great joy," (even as today's text avers).

Don't give up on your potential for a very high degree of happiness (in this world). So long as you remain faith-filled toward Jesus (and therefore faithful in His church), there is for you a certainty that your joy will be made full.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ and all good things are stored in the gospel; that is the rich mine." --Richard Sibbes, in "Glorious Freedom"]