He Knows the Way that I Take

 “He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” –Job 23:10

In great pain and grief, Job longs to meet with God but does not know where to find Him. Job believed God would exonerate him of whatever wrongdoing brought on these many waves of punishing griefs. Although Job has searched for God and had not seen Him yet, Job’s faith in God affirmed, “He knows the way that I take.” Job knows God sees him and knows all his ways.

Job longed for God like the Psalmist who thirsted for God like deer pants for streams of water asking, “When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42:1-2). Job’s longing pains him as he waits for God. Job did not see God or know His ways regarding Job’s life and suffering, but Job trusted that God saw Job and knew the way of his life. Somehow, all of this pain and suffering is God trying Job like a goldsmith purifies gold in the fire.

Though in this life we are acquainted with many sorrows and griefs, the Christian takes comfort that such trials are not results of random events with no purpose. God is sovereign and each pain has a purpose, and we will come out as gold because our Savior knows our way. Dear reader, I know you do not enjoy the pain and grief of physical or spiritual trials which weigh you down in darkness to cry out, “My tears have been my food day and night” and “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” (Psalm 42:3,5)

Trust the fires into the work of the Refiner. “By day the Lord commands His steadfast love, and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life” (Psalm42:8). In the darkest hour, God’s song is with His children. The heat of the fire purifies the gold, and “I shall come out as gold.” What great comfort that not only does my grief have eternal purpose, but that God is the God of my life. He is my Savior. He will rescue me. I can trust along with McCheyne, “A dark hour makes Jesus bright.”

This, says the Psalmist, is “a prayer to the God of my life.” God, may this testing root me in Christ like a tree shaken in a storm strengthens roots into the ground. Remind me that Your steadfast love during the day remains now, though it is night. “Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm30:5). All my sorrows, iniquities, and griefs were on My Savior who is risen from His tomb. As Puritan Thomas Adams put it, “death is the funeral of all our sorrows.”

Christian, desire God with longing. Even if you cannot see Him or know the “why” of your trial, take comfort like Job: “He knows the way that I take.” God sees you and He knows your way. He prepares you for His everlasting, heavenly presence. He remains with you now, as our Savior promised, “I am with you even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). His steadfast love enjoyed in the daylight sun remains on you in the darkest night.

Heavenly Father, how weak am I proven to be when trials weigh me down. Strengthen me for the Refiner’s Fire, purify me O Lord as I trust Your everlasting Word promised to me, “I shall come out as gold.” Bless us with Your much needed mercies free to us in Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Humility Counts Others Above Ourselves

 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” –Philippians 2:3

Paul commanded the Philippian church, “Complete my joy.” How? By being in unity of mind and love in the encouragement and comfort that is in Christ. Such loving unity in Christian relationships is imposed upon our own humility, which is exemplified by the mighty Christ who became a servant and obeyed the Father to His death on a cross. Christ the Head of the Church is most highly exalted through obedient humility.

Paul’s joy is completed in the church’s obedience to a loving unity in Christ. Any disciple-maker in Christ’s church greatly desires those under their care to be expert peace-makers in a local church encouraged and comforted in loving unity in Christ. A local church which enjoys a humble, peaceful, loving unity in Christ enjoys an atmosphere for the discouraged to be encouraged and the broken-hearted to be comforted as we endure many trials by faith. A faith which carries one another’s burdens by counting each other more important than ourselves.

The greatest threat to the health of my marriage, parenting, and relationships then is my pride. Selfishness is my main problem and greatest barrier to loving unity in Christ. What I despise about my selfishness in my relationships is when I do not get what I expect in my pride, I allow a pity party to flourish in my heart which fills my mind with grumpy, negative thinking. If such unhealthiness is permitted to be nourished in my prideful heart, I will be an injury to any encouragement or comfort in Christ to those around me.

God promises the Christian of joy of salvation restored to me (Psalm 51:12). Humility to count even the most frustrating Christian more significant than myself is a fruit of God’s grace to me. God’s gracious work of redeeming and transforming me comes in ceaseless gospel reminders. When pride gets in the way of such joyful sanctification, I must pause and ask if my mind is held captive to the pure excellence of Christ above or whether my selfishness is being served (Philippians 4:8). I examine my devotion time, prayer life, and time in His Word.

When the God of all comforts would encourage and comfort me, removing pride and producing the fruit of humility in me, then I am able to comfort others with the same gospel comfort (II Corinthians 1:3-4). Praise be to God who comforts me and Christ’s church with mercy.

Heavenly Father, forgive our pride and by Your Holy Spirit continue Your excellent, mighty redeeming work of transforming us be Your grace. Strengthen Your servants to consider each other’s interests above our own as Your blessed peacemakers encourage and comfort one another in Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

M'Cheyne - The Saviour's Tears Over the Lost

The 19th Century Scottish preacher Robert Murray M'Cheyne preached from Luke 19:41-42 where Jesus wept over Jerusalem before His crucifixion. I have changed some of the wording for easier modern reading from the Banner of Truth book of compilations of his sermons. From this sermon, I encourage you to read these words:

I come now to show you that Christ is willing to save even the hardest of sinners.

“And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it;" Christ here gives two proofs that he is willing to save sinners: 

(1) His tears; and 

(2) His words. 

These were the tears of one who never wept but in reality; and these were the words of one who never spoke but in reality. It is impossible for him to lie. “O, if you had known,” he said. It was a broken wish. It shows a feeling of the greatest love and tenderness. His bowels were yearning with tenderness within him, for the love he bore to their souls. His desire was a true desire. He saw them lying in their sin. They had slain the prophets, and despised their messages. He saw that they would soon crucify himself. He saw their hands red with his own blood; and yet, for all that, he wept over them. He saw the judgments that were coming on them. He saw that they would soon lie down in hell; and therefore he wept and cried, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes."

I believe there are some here tonight over whom Christ says the same. He sees that you have sinned against light, and against love, and that you have resisted the Holy Spirit these fifty-two Sabbaths which have now gone over your heads. He sees how you have withstood every warning, how you have resisted his ministers, how you have resisted and crucified the Son of God afresh, how you have wounded Christ in the house of his friends; and yet he says, “O, if you had known”. Perhaps, sinner, you will not turn, perhaps you will perish, and before another year has passed, you may lift up your eyes in hell, being in torments. He that cannot lie says, he would have saved you; and if you perish, sinner, your blood be on your own head. It is the very essence of the gospel that Christ is willing to save. He wills not that any should perish, but that all should come to him and live. Some will say, why did he not save Jerusalem, if he was willing? To this I answer, that you must take the gospel as you find it. It is not your business nor mine to inquire into anything of the sort. It is sufficient for us to know that he is willing to save. He said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” (John 7:37); “He who comes to me I will never cast out.” (John 6:37).

Now, brethren, in conclusion, I beseech you, strive to enter in at the strait gate. Many have entered, why not you?

Let My Candle Go Out - Thomas Watson

Those of you who know me well know I am very non-competitive by nature. Coupled with my natural timidity, I was certain not be called into preaching so many years ago. Now nearly 14 years into preaching ministry, I am still a bit put off how competitive preachers can be. Yet, when I hear solid preaching, I rejoice. Some praiseworthy preaching comes from competitive men, while still others are tempted to think themselves spiritually superior for being non-competitive. 

The truth is not found in the manner of preaching or the preacher, but all the glory is to be to Christ. I meditate on this as I read the great Puritan preacher Thomas Watson's lectures on the shorter catechism in print as The Body of Divinity. The preacher's candle is a flame to go out that Christ may be the only One shining. Watson makes this point:

"We aim at God’s glory when we are content to be outshined by others in gifts and esteem, so that his glory may be increased. A man that has God in his heart, and God’s glory in his eye, desires that God should be exalted; and if this be effected, let who will be the instrument, he rejoices. ‘Some preach Christ of envy: notwithstanding Christ is preached, and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice’ (Philippians 1:15); they preached Christ of envy, they envied Paul that concourse of people, and they preached that they might outshine him in gifts, and get away some of his hearers: well, says Paul, Christ is preached, and God is like to have the glory, therefore I rejoice; let my candle go out, if the Sun of Righteousness may but shine."

Spurgeon - "Blessed Beyond Measure"

"I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore." -Genesis 22:17

Charles Spurgeon was not just a great preacher, but he was also a great writer of devotionals. One of the daily devotionals I am reading this year is Beside Still Waters: Words of Comfort for the Soul, updated in modern English by Roy H. Clarke. Here, Spurgeon comforts the soul with the reminder that our highest blessedness is God with us.

"The greatest blessing God gives is His presence. If I could choose any of life's blessings, I certainly would not ask for wealth, because wealth cannot bring freedom from pain, concern, or anxiety. I certainly would not ask for popularity, because there is no rest for the world's leaders. My choice, my highest honor, would be to have God with me always. 

When God is with us, there is no difference between Nebuchadnezzar's fiery furnace (Daniel 3:19) and a comfortable bed. It does not matter! We will be happy in either. If God is with us, if His divine love surrounds us, then we carry our own atmosphere and residence wherever we travel, and we can say with Moses, 'Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations' (Psalm 90:1). The individual who can say this is full of heaven, full of God, and blessed beyond measure. This is the privilege of all who truly believe in Jesus, of all who come out from the world, and of all who, like Abraham, live a life of faith (Genesis 12:4). Bow your head, believer, and let the Lord God pronounce this blessing, 'I will bless you.'

 If you are sorrowing, suffering, weary, or burdened, receive the blessing from God's own mouth, 'I will bless you.'

If you are poor, despised, or slandered, this blessing is not shortened. Take it with you, and go on your way rejoicing."

The Value of Training in Godliness

“While bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” –I Timothy4:8

Once again, it is time to discard the old calendar and put up the new. A New Year ushers high energy right out of the gate with well-intended resolutions for change, typically with exercise topping most lists. Bodily training has some value, says the Apostle Paul to his young disciple now Pastor Timothy. As to the limited value, I intend to train for a 5K this year and accompany my oldest in a run. But this body is wearing out, and no amount of bodily training will last.

Paul contrasts the value of bodily training with godliness. Just as the gym is of some value for training the body, this life is meant for training in godliness at everlasting value. Yes, for the life to come, but Paul emphasizes that training now for godliness has promise for this present life. Godliness here means devotion, holding a heart devoted to God. While our earthly body wears out and withers like the grass, training in godliness proves most valuable as what is devoted to God is as eternal as God Himself.

As you make good earthly resolutions for the New Year, consider the limited value of such a resolution in contrast to the things devoted to God. With bodily training through 2023 may make you faster and stronger and physically feeling better by December than you do now, imagine with devotion to the study of the Bible, with resolve to serve the saints of Jesus Christ in the assembly of His church, with a serious attention to the commands of Christ such as repentance, rejoicing, reconciling, loving and praying for enemies, using your mouth for praise and not cursing, devoting time for prayer, having a reputation for peace and gentleness, and evangelizing the lost. How much healthier would you be spiritually by December?

Training in godliness is founded in knowing God’s revelation in the Bible. In order to be complete for every good work of eternal value, there is found a treasury for your training in righteousness in the Bible (II Timothy 3:16-17). As the problem in Ephesus for Timothy was people believing and teaching false doctrines (I Timothy 1:3-4) and talking about “irreverent, silly myths” (ITimothy 4:7), the problem for so many Christians today is susceptibility to things which sound Christian but are in fact false doctrines and spending their time knowing and talking about everything but the things of God. The best defense for the church from such attacks from Satan is a devoted knowledge of God who revealed Himself in His Word.

May the Lord in His excellent power and grace grant to us hearts devoted to godliness. With such devotion, our hearts will be strengthened in assurance of God’s saving grace and to be complete for every good work in the present life. Such eternal value is the promise that such a life glorifies God.

Heavenly Father, we approach You in prayer with one encouragement to our souls: Your mercy. Grant to us hearts devoted to training in godliness with assurance of Your promised eternal value for the life to come and to this present life that Your name would be glorified in the life of Your saints. Bless us by Your needed mercies rich and free in Christ our Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Incarnation and Adoption

“When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” –Galatians 4:4-5

Christmas is the annual reminder of the beauty and wonder of God the Son taking on flesh to save sinners. God directed the events of human history, both people and nations, for the redemption of people found in Jesus Christ. Jesus became what He was sent to save, human flesh. Born of a woman, fulfilling God’s promise to the serpent that born of the woman one will come to crush his head. Born under the law to rescue law-breakers cursed under the law and redeem them by perfect obedience to the law. As Athanasius put it, “(Jesus) became what we are that He might make us what He is.”

The inheritance of the full wealth of Jesus the Son of God redeems those adopted into His grace. We are brothers and sisters in Christ, sharing the grand inheritance of Jesus who was sent by the Father “when the fullness of time had come.” As Charles Wesley wrote,

“Come, Thou long expected Jesus,

born to set Thy people free;

from our fears and sins release us,

let us find our rest in Thee.”

The longing of fallen creation, the weary cries for redemption which has been food for God’s people day and night (Psalm 42:3) rejoice finally in Christ born to be the Father’s Suffering Servant to redeem for Himself a people by adoption.

Christmas is about adoption. Though human parents adopting humans is a beautiful display of love, the most gloriously beautiful display of love is found in God the Father adopting sinners through the Son, giving the right to be called children of God those who receive Jesus (John 1:12-13), receiving the Spirit of adoption (Romans 8:15). And yet, all creation groans as we await eagerly for adoption and redemption to be completed (Romans 8:23).

Advent is about waiting eagerly for our Lord’s return. No longer a slave, the Christian is a child adopted by God awaiting for Jesus to return that we may receive the promised inheritance of everlasting life. The imperishable, unfading inheritance is being kept in heaven for we who believe upon Christ alone for salvation, a precious inheritance guaranteed until we acquire possession of it (Ephesians 1:13-14). The church now waits for the heavenly kingdom to come on earth like Abraham who “was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10). In the season of Advent, we wait with hope for this unseen, far kingdom, this promised inheritance in Christ, with patience (Romans 8:25).

Heavenly Father, our hearts rejoice in this great salvation in Christ, the Son You have sent to redeem Your adopted people. What wonder of wonders that Jesus would take on flesh to save flesh, to adopt as children those slaves to sin by freeing us in His death and granting hope of the coming kingdom in His resurrection. Fill us with Your hope, O Lord, as we wait for it with patience. We receive Your free mercies with grateful hearts. In Jesus’ name. Amen.