MORNING:
1 Chronicles 24-25 (family); Micah 3 (secret)
EVENING:
1 Peter 5 (family); Luke 12 (secret)
A CHRISTIAN CATECHISM:
Q72. How is the Word made effectual to salvation?
A72. The Spirit of God makes the reading, but especially the preaching of the Word, and effectual means of convicting and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith to salvation. Psalms 19:7; Romans 1:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:6
Q73. How is the Word to be read and heard that it may become effectual to salvation?
A73. That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend to it with diligence, preparation, and prayer, receive it with faith and love, lay it up into our hearts, and practice it in our lives. Psalms 119:11, 18; Proverbs 8:34; 2 Thessalonians 2:10; Hebrews 4:2; James 1:25; 1 Peter 2:1-2
CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST DEVOTION:
“Rejoice evermore” (1 Thessalonians 5:16).
There are certainly times when we will despair, be despondent, or feel downtrodden. Although each one of us could point to our own lives and say heartily that we can believe that, it is wise not to judge that statement in ourselves or by ourselves; it is best and necessary that we judge and confirm its truth by the absolute authority of God’s Word. So is it true? Certainly. A quick look through the Book of Psalms will tell us that.
Elijah, a man with the same passions that we have, was so depressed that he asked the great Jehovah to end his life (1 Kings 19:4). In fact, he was so confused that, after prophetically speaking for God, and through his prayers the power of God was manifested before the people, he prayed to the Lord to take his life because Jezebel sought to take his life (1 Kings 19:3, 10). That really doesn’t make much sense, but in the midst of a crisis and in the throes of conflict, sometimes we become a little irrational (or a lot), and we can’t see the forest for the trees. That’s why our situations, however real they may seem, or even be at the time we are in them, they must be measured according to God’s Word; and we must make our decisions, discernments, and determinations in the light of and by the guidance of that Holy Word.
The life that we live in Christ has conflict because we still dwell in these tabernacles of flesh. “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” (Galatians 5:17). Yet, it is in the struggle and the conflicts, the trials and the tribulations, the suffering and the sorrow, that makes our rejoicing truly great, wonderful, and magnificent. When rejoicing rises from the depths of despair, the greater the difference between the agony and exaltation produces a corresponding joy, if it is certainly in Christ; the smaller the distance between the two, the smaller the joy; the greater the distance, the greater the joy. This is one of the things that the heavenly angels look at in utter amazement.
Brokenness that begets restoration is cause for rejoicing. Humility that begets honor is cause for rejoicing. Calamity that begets comfort is cause for rejoicing. Death that begets life is cause for rejoicing.
The source and stay of Christian joy is the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself. Far from the “pleasant” or “happy” circumstances that we are in, our joy is in the Lord and from the Lord, and the Lord’s joy is our strength.
When we reflect upon the Man of sorrows, considering that the despair, the destitution, and the wrath of destruction He endured upon Calvary’s tree was infinitely worse than anything we could possibly experience, we have cause to rejoice in Him. The depth of His eternal Sacrifice guaranteed the very height of exaltation in His resurrection and ascension.
We rejoice as comforted in our sufferings because of His sufferings. We rejoice as more than conquerors in Christ because of His exaltation.
Ye righteous, in the Lord rejoice;
it comely is and right,
That upright men, with thankful voice,
should praise the Lord of might.
Praise God with harp, and unto Him
sing with the psaltery;
Upon a ten-string’d instrument
make ye sweet melody.
A new song to Him sing, and play
with loud noise skilfully;
For right is God’s word, all His works
are done in verity.
To judgment and to righteousness
a love He beareth still;
The loving-kindness of the Lord
the earth throughout doth fill.
Behold on those that do Him fear
the Lord doth set His eye;
Ev’n those who on His mercy do
with confidence rely.
From death to free their soul, in dearth
life unto them to yield.
Our soul doth wait upon the Lord;
He is our help and shield.
Sith in His holy name we trust,
our heart shall joyful be.
Lord, let Thy mercy be on us,
as we do hope in Thee.
Psalms 33:1-5, 18-22
Scottish Psalter
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