Daily Thoughts February 2, 2018

Psalm 29 A Psalm of David. Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.

The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.

He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.

The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.

The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.

The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.

The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

So far as we attain to this--we are secure from disappointment!

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(John Newton)

One of the greatest privileges and brightest ornaments of our profession, is a sweet acquiescence in the Lord's will--founded in a persuasion of His wisdom, holiness, sovereignty and goodness. So far as we attain to this--we are secure from disappointment!

Our own limited views and short-sighted purposes and desires--may be, and will be, often over-ruled. But then our main and leading desire, that the will of the Lord may be done--must be accomplished.

How highly does it befit us, both as creatures and as sinners--to submit to the appointments of our Maker! And how necessary it is to our peace!

This great attainment is too often unthought of, and overlooked. We are prone to fix our attention upon the second causes and immediate instruments of events--forgetting that whatever befalls us is according to His purpose, and therefore must be right and seasonable in itself, and shall be productive of good in the final outcome. From hence arise impatience, resentment, and secret repinings--which are not only sinful, but tormenting.

Whereas, if all things are in His hand; if the very hairs of our head are numbered; if every event, great and small, is under the direction of His providence and purpose; and if He has a wise, holy, and gracious end in view, to which everything that happens is subordinate and subservient--then we have nothing to do, but with patience and humility to follow as He leads, and cheerfully to expect a blessed outcome.

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Philippians 4:12

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

February 2, 2018

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)

To those who do not know the saving grace of Christ, our actions and love for Him are foolishness. We who are saved know the power of God and have seen it work firsthand in our lives. It is not foolishness, but an amazing God with an incredible love for a worthless and sinful people.

Daily Thoughts February 1st, 2018

Psalm 28:7  The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Trials are medicinal!

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(John Newton)

Trials are medicinal. They are designed by God to correct or to restrain or to cure--the maladies of our souls.

Though He puts forth His hand, and seems to threaten our dearest comforts--yet when we remember that it is His hand, when we consider that it is His design, His love, His wisdom, and His power--we cannot refuse to trust Him!

Every affliction in the life of the believer--is designed by God and sovereignly implemented by Him.

"Before I was afflicted I went astray--but now I obey Your Word!" Psalm 119:67

"It was good for me to be afflicted--so that I might learn Your decrees." Psalm 119:71

"I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness You have afflicted me." Psalm 119:75

Christ's suffering was punitive--the Christian's suffering is restorative.

The cup which Christ drank, was filled with Divine wrath--the cup of suffering which God calls His children to drink, is only medicinal to promote their chief good.

Like heavy weights on a grandfather clock--trials are necessary for the Christian life to operate properly.

God will allow nothing to grieve us--but what He intends to employ as means for our greater advantage.

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