It’s been a good while since I last posted anything here, but in light on Sunday’s message I wanted to follow up a bit with some further encouragement to read, study, meditate upon God’s Word. If we want to grow in our relationship with the Lord, we must be in God’s Word. It is one of his ordinary means of grace. Our Confession of Faith states: “The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture…” (WCF I.6)

There is tremendous beauty and benefit in God’s Word. Take a moment to read through Psalm 19:7-11 and just list the characteristics of God’s Word. Respond in thanksgiving and prayer asking that God would give you that view of his Word each and every day and that he would help you to see the beauty.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, 

reviving the soul; 

the testimony of the Lord is sure, 

making wise the simple; 

8 the precepts of the Lord are right, 

rejoicing the heart; 

the commandment of the Lord is pure, 

enlightening the eyes; 

9 the fear of the Lord is clean, 

enduring forever; 

the rules of the Lord are true, 

and righteous altogether. 

10 More to be desired are they than gold, 

even much fine gold; 

sweeter also than honey 

and drippings of the honeycomb. 

11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; 

in keeping them there is great reward.  (Psalm 19:7-11)

A video of Christians in China opening their bibles for the first time. Do you respond the same way when you open yours? The lady is saying: "Thanks be to Go...

Here is the video that was shown during the message. Pray that you would have that same longing and that you would recognize the preciousness of God’s Word.

One more thing - I just saw this app this morning called Redeeming Time (put out by the same developer of PrayerMate - which I have benefited from for years). We have a massive tendency to waste time on our smartphones - scrolling and doing mindless things. This app helps you see how much reading of God’s Word you could do in whatever time you have - 5 minutes, 10, 15…whatever it may be. And it has the Bible built in. Give it a shot and see what you think. It certainly won’t be a waste of your time.

https://redeemingtime.app/

15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:15-17)

 Too often when we read Scripture, we do so from a point of view centered on ourselves. But here as Paul writes about receiving grace as the foremost of sinners; his focus doesn’t stay there. Rather considering the gravity of what happened (his salvation), he is prompted to respond in praise. He knew that his salvation was not his doing and it should result in praise. And so these words direct our hearts not inward, but outward - to praise of our great God.

In in a time like this (truly in any time) we need our gaze lifted to see the unspeakable character of God. He is the immortal, invisible, God only wise. He is the most glorious and most blessed. He is the giver of life. He is the one who deserves our attention and praise.

Here is the song “Immortal, Invisible” by Fernando Ortega. May your hearts today (and every day) be lifted to gaze upon the beauty and majesty of God.

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great Name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish; but naught changeth Thee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All praise we would render; O help us to see
’Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee

Immortal, Invisible As sung by Fernando Ortega © Words: Public Domain Music: 2004 Cerdo Verde Music, Curb Songs, John Andrew Schreiner Music I do not own the...

Psalm 40 is a psalm rich in comfort, because it is rich in the character of God. The psalm begins with these words:

1 I waited patiently for the LORD; 

he inclined to me and heard my cry. 

2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, 

out of the miry bog, 

and set my feet upon a rock, 

making my steps secure. 

3 He put a new song in my mouth,

a song of praise to our God. 

Many will see and fear, 

and put their trust in the LORD. 

Our God is one who saves people from pits of destruction. We are, by nature, not only stuck in a pit, but driving aimlessly on the road to destruction. But yet God, in his grace, pulls people out of that pit and sets their feet on solid ground. If there is not reason for song in that, then there is no reason for song at all.

Those who are in Christ have moved from desperation to blessing. As many have heard me repeat the theme of the Psalter: “Blessed are all who take refuge in the King who reigns” (Thank you Dr. Mark Futato), you see that very theme stand out in this psalm. The person whose God is the Lord has been blessed beyond measure. Look at verse 5:

5 You have multiplied, O LORD my God, 

your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; 

none can compare with you! 

I will proclaim and tell of them, 

yet they are more than can be told. 

His thoughts towards us - his wondrous deeds…if we were to seek to tell them all it would be well beyond number. Have you considered that? Have you considered that God, your Savior, considers you? Works for you daily? Blesses you beyond what you know?

Take some time and read and meditate through this entire psalm. Look at David’s response to all that the Lord has done for him (and for others). Look at how he speaks of God. But there is something a bit different about this psalm - it has great thanksgiving, yet lament and petition are the last words. Yet in all of it, it is informed and guided by the character and attributes of God.

16 But may all who seek you 

rejoice and be glad in you; 

may those who love your salvation 

say continually, “Great is the LORD!” 

17 As for me, I am poor and needy, 

but the LORD takes thought for me. 

You are my help and my deliverer; 

do not delay, O my God! 

The hope of David - the Lord takes thought of him. I think of the most tangible display for us of the Lord taking thought of those who are in Christ. Galatians 2:20…listen to the language used: I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Paul personalizes the sacrificial death of Christ. It wasn’t just for some random group, but for each and every one of God’s children. What an amazing God who has pulled us up out of the pit. Let us sing a new song of praise!

Going back to 1983 and one of the greatest rock albums of all time. Here is the song “40” by U2.

U2-40+lyrics

Psalm 25:4,5:

4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; 

teach me your paths. 

5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, 

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all the day long. 

This is the desire of all who are in Christ. We know our past. We know the ways in which we used to walk…the paths our feet so easily trod. We know the temptation to walk those paths again. We know how easy it would be.

This is why we need the grace of God. We need him to teach us his ways. Psalm 86:11:

11 Teach me your way, O LORD, 

that I may walk in your truth; 

unite my heart to fear your name. 

The prayer of the psalmist here is for an undivided heart. How prone our hearts are to wander. They are pulled in myriad directions each and every day…each and every moment. This is why we must keep them (our hearts) with all vigilance, because from them flow the springs of life (Proverbs 4:23).

Part of that keeping is knowing God’s Word and meditating upon it. We desperately need to know his Holy Word. We need God to work…to teach…to seal…to unite our hearts to fear his name. That comes through the work of the Spirit sealing the Word in our hearts. Because the temptation to wander is strong, but the Word of God is our sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17), our weapon against the enemy.

Consider our Lord when he was tempted. How did he respond? By the Word of God (see Matthew 4:1-11). He knew the Word. He knows that the paths of God are steadfast love and faithfulness (Psalm 25:10). His heart is fully aligned with truth, with the way of righteousness. May the Spirit of God work that same trust, that same heart in us who are so often prone to wander. May he work it in us by leading us and teaching us the Truth. And may we love the Truth with all that we are.

Provided to YouTube by Absolute Marketing International Ltd Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing [Live] · Sovereign Grace Music · Bob Kauflin Together for the ...

It seems as though restless is becoming an apt word to describe people in our country (and perhaps throughout the world). We are seeing stories of protests all over the country clamoring for the ‘shelter in place’ orders to be lifted. And though it’s becoming more and more apt, I think it is simply becoming more and more visible. Naturally we are restless people. It was the great theologian Augustine who wrote in his Confessions: “Thou has formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee.”

This is a truth that has been set forth throughout Scripture. Our hearts wander and pursue other places of refuge. In Isaiah 30 we see the prophet call out Israel for its stubbornness in continuing to look to Egypt for its salvation. They sought refuge in Pharaoh rather than in the Lord. This was the sign of a rebellious people. They even called out for the prophets to speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions (Isaiah 30:10).

And yet in all of this we see in verse 15 a spotlight shining brightly on the heart of God.

15 For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, 

“In returning and rest you shall be saved; 

in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” 

The call is to return; to repent. The people of Israel were called to repent of their trust in what cannot save. They were called to return and rest in the Lord alone. It is a call to faith in the Lord, and in the Lord alone. There is no one who can deliver the salvation that God’s people long for but God himself. And it is in God alone - in our quietness and trust in him that we shall find strength.

When we turn and rest, and trust in our Lord we will sing with the words of Exodus 15:1-18 and Isaiah 12 (see verse 2 below).

2 “Behold, God is my salvation; 

I will trust, and will not be afraid; 

for the Lord GOD is my strength and my song, 

and he has become my salvation.” 

But you were unwilling…These are the sad words that complete Isaiah 30:15. The people instead ran to other places of refuge (all that would fail). Let us learn from history and not be people unwilling. Let us be people who trust…who have faith…who repent of our false gods (idols, other sources of trust and refuge). Let us learn to rest. It is hard for us to be still and to trust, especially in the midst of some massive unknowns (but isn’t the unknown the place where our resting in God is actually tested?). This is a time where we feel the heaviness of the unfamiliar and the somewhat scary. But the call remains the same, and so does the heart of our God.

In Isaiah 30:18 we read: Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. Hear the heart of God in that for his children. And hear that same heart in the words of Jesus from Matthew 11:28,29.

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Lord, calm our anxious hearts. May we find our rest in You and in You alone.

A song written by Keith & Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend and featured in the Getty's album "Awaken The Dawn". The song is about being still and trusting in...

My daily routine in the morning has been much the same for many years. I started a habit of Bible reading when I was younger (thankful for my mother encouraging that), and by God’s grace, I continue in that habit (though honestly it is constantly a fight to make sure it’s not just reading, but also devotional in nature). One of my standard approaches to reading Scripture is to use the M’Cheyne Reading Plan and along with that D.A. Carson’s devotional books called For the Love of God (you can find the books [there are two volumes] here or go to the daily blog). This is a great resource that helps connect the readings and points your heart to Christ. As an aside - I know it’s already over halfway through April, but if you don’t have a plan to read God’s Word - it’s never too late to start, and today is always a good day.

All that to say as I was reading this morning one of the readings was 2 Timothy 3. We are probably all very familiar with verses 16 & 17:

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

The divine nature and value of Scripture in our lives is something we should know. Scripture is God’s ordinary means of grace: which means this is how God has set forth for us to grow (at least one of his key methods).

But aside from that what I want to point out is the two verses prior:

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Paul is charging Timothy to continue in what he has learned and in what he has believed. He knows the character of those he has learned it from and how, since his childhood, he has known the Scriptures - the sacred writings. Look at that last phrase: which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

It is in the Scriptures that we are made wise to salvation. It is not through nature or common sense (see Psalm 19), but through God’s revelation of himself. And what do the Scriptures do? They reveal Christ Jesus. The Scriptures do not save - it is Christ who saves. If in our reading of Scripture we miss Jesus, we have missed the point (see the interaction between Jesus as the two disciples on the road to Emmaus after his resurrection). As we see Jesus thought Scripture we see the heart of God and we see the glory of God.

This reminds me of something I saw from Dane Ortlund:

Let’s not just stop at our salvation, our faith in Christ, let us press on to know him…to know his heart and his love. Let our gaze into the face of our God transform us (2 Cor. 3:18).

Two songs this morning. First is Wes King simply saying that he believes in the Word of God.

And the second is this beautiful song from Fernando Ortega:

From "Live in St. Paul"-DVD. Eternal God, Unchanging Mysterious and Unknown Your boundless Love, unfailing In Grace and Mercy shown. Bright Seraphim in endle...

I have not always been a fan of thunderstorms. As a child I was horribly afraid. I would have nightmares about tornadoes that were so vivid and frightening. But as I’ve aged, I’ve also grown to appreciate the power and majesty behind a storm. Even last week I sat out on the porch as we had a pretty strong storm roll through this area simply to watch and be in awe. And now I’m trying to teach my children to also appreciate the grandeur in the storm.

Psalm 29 is a psalm about a storm, but more so it is about the God of the storm, and the God who sits enthroned above the the storm. I remember it was the summer of 2000 and I was taking a seminary class while on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ (now CRU) before heading overseas. And the class I took was on the Psalms and it was taught by Dr. Mark Futato. It was that time that opened my eyes up to the beauty of the Psalter. And Dr. Futato’s favorite psalm to teach on was Psalm 29.

I won’t go through the extent of the psalm but it begins with a call to ascribe, to give glory to the Lord…to give the glory that is due to his name. God is splendid in holiness and majesty and he is due the glory of our praise (and well beyond). And then we see a storm develop. Thunder in the distance. It is powerful and mighty. As it moves across the countryside it shakes the trees and causes the animals to dart for cover. The lightning illuminates the sky.

And the response is that in his temple all cry, “Glory!” (Ps. 29:9c). There is no other appropriate response than to cry out in praise. And then we come to the conclusion.

10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; 

the LORD sits enthroned as king forever. 

11 May the LORD give strength to his people! 

May the LORD bless his people with peace! 

The word used for flood is the same used of the flood in Noah’s time. The Lord is not off his throne in a time of absolute chaos. The Lord is enthroned. He reigns. Is the Almighty King of Creation. And this enthronement is forever. There is no end. We do not have to worry about a coup that will knock the Lord off his throne.

And as the enthroned King the Lord (as this psalm points out) does two things: he gives strength to his people and he blesses them with peace. He has the power and the resources to do that. And not only can he, but he does. Read through the first 5 verses of Romans 5 and you will see that. We have peace with God through Christ Jesus, and the Spirit has been poured into our hearts.

In the midst of all we are going through (this seems like the past 4 weeks have lasted a wee bit longer than that) God is on his throne. This is not out of his control. We can rest secure in that fact. And in the fact that God loves his children so deeply that he gave Christ so that we could have our sins dealt with and come and fully worship the God of glory.

Praise To The Lord (Joyful, Joyful) [Acoustic] Recorded Live in Dallas, Texas on 11.22.19 from "Hymns In The Round" https://fanlink.to/HymnsInTheRound - A HU...

There are certain days where the longing to be with God is stronger. These are those days. I resonate with the struggle of Paul in Philippians 1…and I’ll quote it at length for the context:

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

You can hear his longing…to be with his Savior. Even though he knows that he is called to something now, his desire is to be with Christ. He is hard pressed. He has seen the glory of the Lord and he longs for that. He longs to be with the One who so deeply loves him…the One who gave Himself for him.

Paul certainly saw the brokenness of the world. He was beaten and persecuted. He saw pain and sickness and death. He felt the darkness all around him. But he also knew the Light of the world (John 8:12). We have all seen the pain and brokenness. It’s all we hear and see on the news. My brother has a friend who is in bad shape from this virus. It’s all hard. And it increases my longing to be with Christ…for the return of our Savior to make all things new (Revelation 21:1-7).

I echo the words of Revelation 22:20,21:

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. 

Amen - come Lord Jesus!

In light of that, I could think of no better song than “Is He Worthy?” by Andrew Peterson. Enjoy the beauty, goodness, and truth of this song. And I dare say, you may have this on repeat fairly soon.

The official music video for Andrew Peterson's new song Is He Worthy! This video was shot in one continuous take. Directors: Max Hsu, Brian Skinner, and Nath...

Is He Worthy? (Andrew Peterson)

Do you feel the world is broken? (We do)
Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do)
But do you know that all the dark won't stop the light from getting through? (We do)
Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (We do)

Is all creation groaning? (It is)
Is a new creation coming? (It is)
Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? (It is)
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? (It is)

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave

Is He worthy? Is He worthy
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy of this?
He is

Does the Father truly love us? (He does)
Does the Spirit move among us? (He does)
And does Jesus, our Messiah, hold forever those He loves? (He does)
Does our God intend to dwell again with us? (He does)

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave

From every people and tribe (People and tribe)
Every nation and tongue (Every nation and tongue)
He has made us a kingdom and priests to God
To reign with the Son

Is He worthy? Is He worthy
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Is He worthy of this?

He is, He is
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
He is, He is
He is worthy, He is worthy
He is

In John 12:27, 28 we read these words:

27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

The soul of Jesus was troubled. He had just mentioned in 12:24 that a grain of wheat must fall and die in order to bear much fruit - a picture of his death that would bear much fruit. It is certainly understandable that Jesus’ soul would be troubled. What he was to do was take the wrath of God against the sins of His people upon Himself. It is impossible for us to fathom that weight. Yet Jesus was resolute. He knew his purpose. And he also knew that it all was for the glory of the Father. His commitment was the to will of God and the glory of God.

Where is our commitment? It is likely that many of us are troubled right now. We don't know what is going to happen today, next week, next month. It is a time of uncertainty. But what are we committed to? The Westminster Shorter Catechism’s first question and answer is this:

Question: What is man’s chief end?

Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Father - glorify Your name! May that be our chief concern in all that we face these days (and every day after this coronavirus has passed). The glory of God. And know this, pursuing the will of God will bring enjoyment. It will bring satisfaction no matter what it takes us through.

This reminds me of two passages. First, Isaiah 53:11, as it gives a picture of the work and sacrifice of the Suffering Servant - of Christ himself.

11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; 

by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, 

make many to be accounted righteous, 

and he shall bear their iniquities. 

From the anguish of His own soul He was satisfied. He accomplished the salvation of His people by His death and resurrection. He bore our sin upon Himself. Let us look to Him in everything.

And next, Hebrews 12:1,2:

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 

I’ll leave that text to speak for itself. And I’ll leave you with another Michael Card song - “A Violent Grace.”