August 28

August 28

Prayer

Pray for repentance, that we amend our lives and abhor that which is evil, for we are near to the Kingdom of God and we do not know when the Master shall return.

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
(Matthew 3:1-2)

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Question 90

Question 90 - How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?

That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, and prayer; receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practise it in our lives.

Reformational Reading

The Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 71

Question 71 - How is justification an act of God's free grace?

Although Christ, by his obedience and death, did make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to God's justice in the behalf of them that are justified; yet inasmuch as God accepts the satisfaction from a surety, which he might have demanded of them, and did provide this surety, his own only Son, imputing his righteousness to them, and requiring nothing of them for their justification but faith, which also is his gift, their justification is to them of free grace.

Private Reading

Lamentations 5

1.  Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach.
2.  Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens.
3.  We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers are as widows.
4.  We have drunken our water for money; our wood is sold unto us.
5.  Our necks are under persecution: we labour, and have no rest.
6.  We have given the hand to the Egyptians, and to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.
7.  Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities.
8.  Servants have ruled over us: there is none that doth deliver us out of their hand.
9.  We gat our bread with the peril of our lives because of the sword of the wilderness.
10.  Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine.
11.  They ravished the women in Zion, and the maids in the cities of Judah.
12.  Princes are hanged up by their hand: the faces of elders were not honoured.
13.  They took the young men to grind, and the children fell under the wood.
14.  The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their musick.
15.  The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning.
16.  The crown is fallen from our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned!
17.  For this our heart is faint; for these things our eyes are dim.
18.  Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.
19.  Thou, O LORD, remainest for ever; thy throne from generation to generation.
20.  Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long time?
21.  Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.
22.  But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us.

Commentary: Lamentations 5

Vs. 1-16

Is any afflicted? Let him pray; and let him in prayer pour out his complaint to God. The people of God do so here; they complain not of evils feared, but of evils felt. If penitent and patient under what we suffer for the sins of our fathers, we may expect that He who punishes, will return in mercy to us. They acknowledge, Woe unto us that we have sinned! All our woes are owing to our own sin and folly. Though our sins and God’s just displeasure cause our sufferings, we may hope in his pardoning mercy, his sanctifying grace, and his kind providence. But the sins of a man’s whole life will be punished with vengeance at last, unless he obtains an interest in Him who bare our sins in his own body on the tree.

Vs. 17-22

The people of God express deep concern for the ruins of the temple, more than for any other of their calamities. But whatever changes there are on earth, God is still the same, and remains for ever wise and holy, just and good; with Him there is no variableness nor shadow of turning. They earnestly pray to God for mercy and grace; Turn us to thee, O Lord. God never leaves any till they first leave him; if he turns them to him in a way of duty, no doubt he will quickly return to them in a way of mercy. If God by his grace renew our hearts, he will by his favor renew our days. Troubles may cause our hearts to be faint, and our eyes to be dim, but the way to the mercy-seat of our reconciled God is open. Let us, in all our trials, put our whole trust and confidence in his mercy; let us confess our sins, and pour out our hearts before him. Let us watch against repinings and despondency; for we surely know, that it shall be well in the end with all that trust in, fear, love, and serve the Lord. Are not the Lord’s judgments in the earth the same as in Jeremiah’s days? Let Zion then be remembered by us in our prayers, and her welfare be sought above every earthly joy. Spare, Lord, spare thy people, and give not thine heritage to reproach, for the heathen to rule over them.

Psalm 36

1.  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
2.  For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.
3.  The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.
4.  He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.
5.  Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
6.  Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
7.  How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
8.  They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
9.  For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
10.  O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.
11.  Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.
12.  There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.

Commentary: Psalm 36

Vs. 1-4

From this psalm our hearts should be duly affected with hatred of sin, and seek satisfaction in God’s loving-kindness. Here is the root of bitterness, from which all the wickedness of wicked men comes. It takes rise from contempt of God, and the want of due regard to him. Also from the deceit they put upon their own souls. Let us daily beg of God to preserve us from self-flattery. Sin is very hurtful to the sinner himself, and therefore ought to be hateful; but it is not so. It is no marvel, if those that deceive themselves, seek to deceive all mankind; to whom will they be true, who are false to their own souls? It is bad to do mischief, but worse to devise it, to do it with plot and management. If we willingly banish holy meditations in our solitary hours, Satan will soon occupy our minds with sinful imaginations. Hardened sinners stand to what they have done, as though they could justify it before God himself.

Vs. 5-12

Men may shut up their compassion, yet, with God we shall find mercy. This is great comfort to all believers, plainly to be seen, and not to be taken away. God does all wisely and well; but what he does we know not now, it is time enough to know hereafter. God’s loving-kindness is precious to the saints. They put themselves under his protection, and then are safe and easy. Gracious souls, though still desiring more of God, never desire more than God. The gifts of Providence so far satisfy them, that they are content with such things as they have. The benefit of holy ordinances is sweet to a sanctified soul, and strengthening to the spiritual and Divine life. But full satisfaction is reserved for the future state. Their joys shall be constant. God not only works in them a gracious desire for these pleasures, but by his Spirit fills their souls with joy and peace in believing. He quickens whom he will; and whoever will, may come, and take from him of the waters of life freely. May we know, and love, and uprightly serve the Lord; then no proud enemy, on earth or from hell, shall separate us from his love. Faith calleth things that are not, as though they were. It carries us forward to the end of time; it shows us the Lord, on his throne of judgment; the empire of sin villainy to rise no more.

Family Reading

1 Samuel 20

1.  And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?
2.  And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.
3.  And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.
4.  Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.
5.  And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.
6.  If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.
7.  If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.
8.  Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?
9.  And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?
10.  Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?
11.  And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.
12.  And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee;
13.  The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.
14.  And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not:
15.  But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.
16.  So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David's enemies.
17.  And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
18.  Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.
19.  And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.
20.  And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.
21.  And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth.
22.  But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.
23.  And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.
24.  So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.
25.  And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty.
26.  Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.
27.  And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?
28.  And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:
29.  And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table.
30.  Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?
31.  For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.
32.  And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?
33.  And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.
34.  So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.
35.  And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.
36.  And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.
37.  And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?
38.  And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.
39.  But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.
40.  And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.
41.  And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.
42.  And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.

Commentary: 1 Samuel 20

Vs. 1-10

The trials David met with, prepared him for future advancement. Thus the Lord deals with those whom he prepares unto glory. He does not put them into immediate possession of the kingdom, but leads them to it through much tribulation, which he makes the means of fitting them for it. Let them not murmur at his gracious appointment, nor distrust his care; but let them look forward with joyful expectation to the crown which is laid up for them. Sometimes it appears to us that there is but a step between us and death; at all times it may be so, and we should prepare for the event. But though dangers appear most threatening, we cannot die till the purpose of God concerning us is accomplished; nor till we have served our generation according to his will, if we are believers. Jonathan generously offers David his services. This is true friendship. Thus Christ testifies his love to us, Ask, and it shall be done for you; and we must testify our love to him, by keeping his commandments.

Vs. 11-23

Jonathan faithfully promises that he would let David know how he found his father affected towards him. It will be kindness to ourselves and to ours, to secure an interest in those whom God favors, and to make his friends ours. True friendship rests on a firm basis, and is able to silence ambition, self-love, and undue regard for others. But who can fully understand the love of Jesus, who gave himself as a sacrifice for rebellious, polluted sinners! how great then ought to be the force and effects of our love to him, to his cause, and his people!

Vs. 24-34

None were more constant than David in attending holy duties; nor had he been absent, but self-preservation obliged him to withdraw. In great peril present opportunities for Divine ordinances may be waved. But it is bad for us, except in case of necessity, to omit any opportunity of attending to them. Jonathan did wisely and well for himself and family, to secure an interest in David, yet for this he is blamed. It is good to take God’s people for our people. It will prove to our advantage at last, however it may now be thought against our interest. Saul was outrageous. What savage beasts, and worse, does anger make men!

Vs. 35-42

The separation of two such faithful friends was grievous to both, but David’s case was the more deplorable, for David was leaving all his comforts, even those of God’s sanctuary. Christians need not sorrow, as men without hope; but being one with Christ, they are one with each other, and will meet in his presence ere long, to part no more; to meet where all tears shall be wiped from their eyes.

1 Corinthians 2

1.  And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2.  For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3.  And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4.  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5.  That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
6.  Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7.  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8.  Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9.  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10.  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11.  For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12.  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13.  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14.  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15.  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16.  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Commentary: 1 Corinthians 2

Vs. 1-5

Christ, in his person, and offices, and sufferings, is the sum and substance of the gospel, and ought to be the great subject of a gospel minister’s preaching, but not so as to leave out other parts of God’s revealed truth and will. Paul preached the whole counsel of God. Few know the fear and trembling of faithful ministers, from a deep sense of their own weakness They know how insufficient they are, and are fearful for themselves. When nothing but Christ crucified is plainly preached, the success must be entirely from Divine power accompanying the word, and thus men are brought to believe, to the salvation of their souls.

Vs. 6-9

Those who receive the doctrine of Christ as Divine, and, having been enlightened by the Holy Spirit, have looked well into it, see not only the plain history of Christ, and him crucified, but the deep and admirable designs of Divine wisdom therein. It is the mystery made manifest to the saints, Colossians 1:26: though formerly hid from the heathen world; it was only shown in dark types and distant prophecies, but now is revealed and made known by the Spirit of God. Jesus Christ is the Lord of glory; a title much too great for any creature. There are many things which people would not do, if they knew the wisdom of God in the great work of redemption. There are things God hath prepared for those that love him, and wait for him, which sense cannot discover, no teaching can convey to our ears, nor can it yet enter our hearts. We must take them as they stand in the Scriptures, as God hath been pleased to reveal them to us.

Vs. 10-16

God has revealed true wisdom to us by his Spirit. Here is a proof of the Divine authority of the Holy Scriptures, 2 Peter 1:21. In proof of the Divinity of the Holy Ghost, observe, that he knows all things, and he searches all things, even the deep things of God. No one can know the things of God, but his Holy Spirit, who is one with the Father and the Son, and who makes known Divine mysteries to his church. This is most clear testimony, both to the real Godhead and the distinct person of the Holy Spirit. The apostles were not guided by worldly principles. They had the revelation of these things from the Spirit of God, and the saving impression of them from the same Spirit. These things they declared in plain, simple language, taught by the Holy Spirit, totally different from the affected oratory or enticing words of man’s wisdom. The natural man, the wise man of the world, receives not the things of the Spirit of God. The pride of carnal reasoning is really as much opposed to spirituality, as the basest sensuality. The sanctified mind discerns the real beauties of holiness, but the power of discerning and judging about common and natural things is not lost. But the carnal man is a stranger to the principles, and pleasures, and actings of the Divine life. The spiritual man only, is the person to whom God gives the knowledge of his will. How little have any known of the mind of God by natural power! And the apostles were enabled by his Spirit to make known his mind. In the Holy Scriptures, the mind of Christ, and the mind of God in Christ, are fully made known to us. It is the great privilege of Christians, that they have the mind of Christ revealed to them by his Spirit. They experience his sanctifying power in their hearts, and bring forth good fruits in their lives.

Prayer

Lord's Prayer

Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Apostle's Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.

Amen.