God’s Decree Gives Comfort May 2, 2013

From Glorifying God: A Yearlong Collection of Classic Devotional Writings by Thomas Watson

May 2

God’s Decree Gives Comfort

For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. John 5:4

God’s decree is unchangeable, therefore gives comfort to His church. “For I am the Lord, I change not” (Malachi 3:6). Concerning God’s providence toward His church, we are ready to argue with God’s providence if everything in life does not agree with our own desires. Remember, God’s work goes on, and nothing falls out except what He has decreed from eternity. God has decreed troubles for the church’s good. The trouble in God’s church is like the angels troubling the water, which made way for healing His people. God has decreed troubles in the church. His “fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 31:9). The wheels in a watch move over one another, but they all carry on the motion of the watch; so the wheels of providence often cross our desires, but still they carry on God’s unchangeable decree, that He declared for all eternity. “Many shall be… made white” (Daniel 12:10). God lets the waters of affliction be poured on His people to make them white. Therefore murmur not at God’s dealings. His work goes on, and nothing falls out except what He has wisely decreed from eternity. Everything shall promote God’s design and filfill His decree.

Every day the news shocks me. I read the news too much, I suppose. I don’t  know why I’m shocked when I read about current events regarding abortion, Christian persecution and the general spiritual decline of our world because IT IS WRITTEN that these times would come. I can’t imagine how much worse it can get before Jesus comes back but I know that it will get worse.

It’s hard to imagine that the world we live in right now would be comforting to any Christian so when I first read this passage, I didn’t relate well with it. But I slowly began to recall when troubling times brought on rapid spiritual growth. Recently my husband and I stood up for Biblical Truth against a large group of people, some of whom were our friends. We were heartbroken over the situation and one day he said to me, “What an honor it is for us to be able to be persecuted.” I have never looked at it like that but I believe that day was when healing began for us.

Here is the whole Scripture from above: “Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined by these trials. But the wicked will continue in their wickedness , and none of them will understand. Only those who are wise will know what it means.” (Daniel 12:10)

-TMS

The Knowledge of God April 7, 2013

From Glorifying God: A Yearlong Collection of Classic Devotional Writings by Thomas Watson

April 7

The Knowledge of God

The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. -1 Samuel 2:3

Glorious things are spoken of God. He transcends both our thoughts and the praises of angels. God’s glory lies chiefly in His attributes, the beams by which the divine nature shines forth. Among other of His excellencies, the Lord is a God of knowledge. Through the bright mirror of His own essence. He is cognizant of all things: the world is to Him a transparent body. “I am he which searcheth the reins and the heart” (Revelation 2:23). The clouds are no canopy, the night is no curtain to draw between us and His sight. “The darkness hideth not from thee” (Psalm 139:12). He hears every whisper: “There is not a word on my tongue, but lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether” (Psalm 139:4). He perceives our every thought: “I know… their thoughts” (Isaiah 66:18). Our actions, though never so subtly contrived and secretly conveyed, are visible to the eye of Omniscience: “I know their works” (Isaiah 66:18). God’s eye is always upon us. God knows whatever is knowable, and He knows future contingencies. The perfection of God’s knowledge is primary. He is the original, the pattern, and the prototype of all knowledge. Others borrow their knowledge from Him, and the angels light their lamps at this glorious sun.

Sometimes I feel inadequate when I’m reading Scripture that is over my head. Recently I was reading a Bible reference book explaining Paul’s letters and I found the reference book harder to understand than the letters themselves. Perhaps my inability to understand is a gift. I have found that sometimes people who are granted the gift of understanding forget to rely on God to do the understanding for us. We aren’t called by Him to understand. This devotional is a perfect example of God seeing the big picture and part of our walk with Him is to accept that God’s Word doesn’t always require analyzation or a deep, profound perception. God’s Word only requires that we are faithful and obedient and that we realize that we aren’t always going to understand everything that is Written but that’s okay because God knows, and that’s all that matters.

Never Too Late April 2, 2013

This devotional is from Beth Moore’s Praying God’s Word Day by Day: A Year of Devotional Prayer. I recently discovered Beth Moore, thanks to a very special mother figure in my life, and reading Moore’s works has helped me in my struggles with insecurity. I think she is a wonderful source of spiritual guidance, especially for women.

April 2

EVEN IF I BLOW IT, I CAN CHOOSE TO FOLLOW HIM THE REST OF THE WAY. IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO START FOLLOWING HIS LEAD IN A CRISIS.

Lord God, I desire to claim the words Moses delivered to Your ancient people: Help me not to be afraid. Enable me to stand firm so I will see the deliverance that You, Lord will bring me today.

You, Lord, will fight for me; help me only to be still (Exod, 14:13-14).

Father, God, make me strong and courageous. Help me not to be afraid or terrified because of anyone else, for You go with me Lord God. You will never leave me or forsake me (Deut. 31:6).

How I thank You for the assurance that You will not reject Your people. You will never forsake Your inheritance (Ps. 94:14).

I need to be reminded that when I fail, it’ll somehow be okay. This is not an excuse to fail but motivation to pick up the peices and keep moving through life. If I’m on a diet and I succumb to temptation, I’m usually overcome with guilt as a result. It’s not uncommon for my guilt to lead me to fall further from my path. The words, “EVEN IF I BLOW IT, I CAN CHOOSE TO FOLLOW HIM THE REST OF THE WAY” are what I need to know and believe. They are words I need to live by to stay on the path I have chosen for myself, not only in my struggle for a beautiful body but also a beautiful mind, heart and soul.

-TMS