Fri.-Sabbath, 12/31/21-1/2/22 Devotion

Happy New Year!

Praise God—Sunday is ALMOST here! In order to help prepare us for Sab-bath worship of the Triune God, here is the great Thomas Watson, from his wonderful book, "A Body of Divinity":

“Let us go to Christ's blood for peace. Some people seek their peace from their own righteousness, not Christ's. They go for peace to their holy life, not Christ's death. If their conscience is troubled, they strive to quiet it with their duties. This is not the right way to attain peace. Duties must not be neglected, nor yet idolized.

“Let us look to the blood of sprinkling, (Heb. 12:24). That blood of Christ which pacified God, must pacify our consciences. Christ's blood being taken in by faith, gives peace. 'Being justified by faith, we have peace with God,' (Rom. 5:1). There is no other balm to cure a wounded conscience, but the blood of Christ."

Thurs., 12/30/21 Devotion (Mal. 3:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Malachi 3:1, which says this:

“ 'Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Mes-senger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,' says the LORD of hosts."

We have been celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Here, in Mala-chi, is a great prophecy of our Savior's first advent. John the Baptist went be-fore the Redeemer; and the Messiah appeared (past tense) in the temple. All of this should strengthen the faith of the saints, as we behold the truthfulness of the written word of God.

Do we "delight" in the "Messenger of the covenant,” our Lord Jesus Christ? If we do, then let us rejoice in His presence: in our hearts, and in His church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The two great graces essential to a saint in this life are faith and repentance. These are the two wings by which he flies to heav-en.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Wed., 12/29/21 Devotion (2 Chron. 34:27)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 34:27, where we read these words:

" ' . . . because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,' says the LORD."

This verse (above) is in reference to the excellent king of Judah, Josiah. When Josiah heard the Scripture read to him, he immediately responded, with faith and repentance. When Josiah inquired of God, as to the judgments pronounced on the land, the king greatly humbled himself before the Lord.

This is a wonderful encouragement for the church today. Things in our nation, and in the world generally, are not good. But, so long as believers are thoroughly pierced by God's word, and are melted in heart by the Spirit of Grace, there is full hope even concerning the temporal issues of life. On top of that, through this process, the souls of churchmen are made more like Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Places and conditions are happy or miserable as God grants His gracious presence more or less.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict"]

Tues., 12/28/21 Devotion (2 Chron. 33:12-13)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 33:12 & 13, which says this:

"Now when [Manasseh] was in affliction, he implored the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He [God] received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God."

This is the account of one of the most astounding conversions of all time. Ma-nasseh, the king of Judah, was one of the worst idolaters the Bible ever chronicled. He never met an idol he did not love. But God, in His amazing and infinite grace and mercy, brought (even) this man to his senses, and gave him the gift of faith and repentance.

May we all take comfort from examples such as this. As the angel said, in Lk. 1:37: "For with God nothing will be impossible."

[Puritan quote of the day: "That you may become capable of God's mercy, you must loathe your sins, for there's no talk of mercy till you first are cruel to your sins.” —Robert Harris, in, "The Way To True Happiness"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 12/24-26/21 Devotion

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Here is the devotion for this joyous season. . . .

"And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Aug-ustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

"Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keep-ing watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.'

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!'

"So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.' And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a man-ger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorify-ing and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them."  (Luke 2:1-20)

Thurs., 12/23/21 Devotion (Jn. 13:1b)

Today's encouragement comes from John 13:1b, where we read these words:

" . . . Having loved His own who were in the world, He [Christ] loved them to the end."

This is a beautiful phrase (above). The Lord Jesus loves His churchmen who are yet "in the world," viz. down here, where it is tough, and where sin and the Fall still assault us. He loves His church because we are "His own.” Christ possesses us, by virtue of His redemption of our souls. And Christ loves us "to the end." He does not give up on us, just because we stumble around, and fail a lot of times.

Is this not a grand and glorious Savior?! Even as Jesus was anticipating His most grievous suffering (on the cross), He was thinking of us, and serving us. Let all God's church love Christ in sincerity; and may we find our peace only in Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "And in the dispensing of the gospel, especially in the preaching and unfolding of the Word, the riches of God in Christ are un-folded . . . “ —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Wed., 12/22/21 Devotion (2 Chron. 26:5)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 26:5, where we read these words:

"[King Uzziah] sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper."

Uzziah was a good king, but not a great king. As long as he had godly clergy instructing him, he did well. But once he thought he had it all together, and could assume the duties of the Levites, he fell down miserably, (cf. 2 Chron. 26:16).

We learn at least two things from the example of King Uzziah: 1) good church instruction keeps the saints in the narrow and happy way of Jesus; and 2) un-less pride is constantly checked, blessings can turn to burdens; and (former-ly) very good men can take some serious tumbles.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When we preach Christ and free grace it is to bring you to Christ. Our preaching down of works is not to keep you from doing them but from resting in them.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remis-sion"]