3. Devotional: The Obedience of Faith

Devotional: The Obedience of Faith

Author: James Smith (1802-1862)

The obedience of faith. (Romans 16:26) 

    THE OBEDIENCE REQUIRED OF FAITH IS SUBMISSION TO GOD’S WILL. It is the submission of the intellect, the heart, and the life to God. The law of faith is the gospel: this requires us to believe that "God is love," that Christ died in the place of sinners; to embrace mercy as freely presented, and receive forgiveness as the gift of God; to accept of the righteousness of Jesus, to trust in it alone for acceptance before God, and to plead it at the throne of grace for all we need; to come daily to Jesus for all we want, and to expect to receive at His hands all He has promised; to live for God, to live to God, to live like God. It requires us, in one word, so to live that God may be all, and man nothing. God requires the obedience of a believing heart. We must believe what He says, expect what He has promised, and do what He bids. This is the life of faith and Satan will oppose it. The carnal mind will throw a thousand obstacles in the way. Everything that is of a worldly character will hinder us. But we must wrestle, strive, break through, and say, "I will believe my God. I will obey my Lord." That only is the way of faith. 

Spirit of faith, unfold Thy law, 
Thy quick'ning pow’r impart: 
My soul to sweet obedience draw, 
Fill and control my heart.

2. Devotional: Neither Be Ye of A Doubtful Mind

Devotional: Neither Be Ye of A Doubtful Mind

Author: James Smith (1802-1862)

Neither be ye of a doubtful mind. (Luke 12:29)

    We are all prone to doubt, and to doubt that most, which there is no reason at all to doubt. But some seem to nurse their doubts, as though doubting was a part of religion. This is wrong. It is sinful. Our Lord often bids us believe, but he never encourages doubts. Doubting dishonors him, distresses us, and gives Satan an advantage over us. Let us not doubt his providence, for it is kind; nor his word, for it is true. Let us not judge by appearances, which often mislead; but let us rest on divine promises, which can never change or deceive. Let us not look too much at ourselves, our abilities, or our circumstances; but let us look to the Lord, to his wisdom, power, and love. Not tremble at poverty, because God can make us happier in poverty, than we ever have been in plenty.

    Let us not be affected by the changeableness of men, for our God is in one mind and none can turn him. If we yield to a doubtful mind, it will spoil our present comforts, hinder us in holy duties, dim the eye of our hope, and feed and nourish our fears. But what is worse than all, it will reflect upon the kindness, care, and providence of our gracious God.

Cast thy burdens on the Lord,
Leave them with thy Savior;
He (whose hands for thee were bored)
Can and will deliver:
He is true and faithful still,
Yield thyself unto his will.

1. Devotional: I Shall Not Want

Devotional: I Shall Not Want
Author: James Smith (1802-1862)

I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1)

    THIS WAS DAVID'S CONCLUSION BECAUSE THE LORD WAS HIS SHEPHERD. If we are His sheep He will supply us. He has all things in His possession: the silver and the gold, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. His owner’s mark is upon all. All spiritual blessings are in His possession also; and He has a kind, tender, and liberal heart. He will give the best and liberally. He has undertaken to supply, conduct, protect, and present His flock upon Mount Zion. He has promised to be to us, to do for us, and to bestow upon us, all that our circumstances require. His care of His flock in times past is our sufficient assurance for the future. Whenever were the righteous forsaken, or His sheep left neglected? Did David ever want? Few men ever passed through greater or severer trials; yet upon his dying bed he tells us, he had all his desire fulfilled in the Lord. If you belong to Christ, you too may safely conclude, "I shall not want." Your fears are follies; your anxieties are groundless; your forebodings are sinful; you have a faithful God to provide for you, and you ought to rejoice. "My God," says the apostle, "shall supply all your needs, according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

What want shall not our God supply
From His abundant stores?
What showers of blessing from on high
Each day th’ Almighty pours!

23. A Quote from Warren W. Wiersbe (16)

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22. Devotional: I Will Be with Him in Trouble

Devotional: I Will Be with Him in Trouble

Author: James Smith (1802-1862)

I will be with him in trouble. (Ps. 91:15)

    Sin is the parent of trouble; all sorrow originated in departing from God. It is generally occasioned by transgression, or sent as a preventative to a greater evil; it may be occasioned by good, for saints are sometimes persecuted for righteousness' sake. It is intended to correct, improve, and to bring us near to God. Whatever may be our trouble, if we are the Lord's, He is with us; and with us for the most gracious purposes. He fixes the period of our troubles, nor can they continue longer than He sees needful. He regulates the heat of the furnace, nor will He suffer us to be tried more than we are able to bear. He sanctifies our troubles, and causes them to work our good. He delivers out of trouble, when the purposes of His love are accomplished. In every trouble, remember, God is now especially present; He is with you to hear your prayer, increase your strength, direct your way, and make you a conqueror. His grace is sufficient; His presence is sure; your deliverance in His time and way is certain. Therefore, "wait on the Lord, be of good courage; He will strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord."  

He that hath made his refuge God,
Shall find a most secure abode; 
Shall walk all day beneath His shade, 
And there at night shall rest his head.

21. Modern Worship Song: O Lord, My Rock And My Redeemer

Modern Worship Song: O Lord, My Rock And My Redeemer

Author: Nathan Stiff

(Vocal)

(Music)

1. O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer
    Greatest treasure of my longing soul
    My God, like You there is no other
    True delight is found in You alone
    Your grace, a well too deep to fathom
    Your love exceeds the heavens’ reach
    Your truth, a fount of perfect wisdom
    My highest good and my unending need

2. O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer
    Strong defender of my weary heart
    My sword to fight the cruel deceiver
    And my shield against his hateful darts
    My song when enemies surround me
    My hope when tides of sorrow rise
    My joy when trials are abounding
    Your faithfulness, my refuge in the night

3. O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer
    Gracious Savior of my ruined life
    My guilt and cross laid on Your shoulders
    In my place You suffered bled and died
    You rose, the grave and death are conquered
    You broke my bonds of sin and shame
    O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer
    May all my days bring glory to Your Name

20. Devotional: A Promise for Difficult Times

Devotional: A Promise for Difficult Times

Author: David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

    I believe God has given us a very specific promise for the difficult times ahead. It was given to Abraham and his seed as an oath. "The oath which he swore to our father Abraham: To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life" (Luke 1:73-75, NKJV).

    God has sworn to deliver us from every enemy and fearful thing so we can serve him all the days of our lives without fear. Beloved, hunger is an enemy, as are nakedness and poverty.

    This oath from God must be the foundation of our trust in every crisis, calamity and fearful time. Memorize it. Let it be your holy argument at the throne of grace.

    In Psalm 121, David provides one of the most powerful Holy Ghost arguments ever given to man. The entire psalm tells us that all our help comes from the Lord alone. Psalm 124 is yet another holy argument, a specific promise to enable us to build special trust.

    Signature judgments bear a special mark of God in that they mirror the sins committed against him. As these judgments occur before our eyes, our only answer is to have Jesus as our shield.

    Today, run to meet him in the secret closet of prayer. Let your roots go deep into him; know he will keep you in all circumstances. Take hold of the following special promises in readiness for any and all calamities we may face.

    "Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness… His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established; he will not be afraid" (Psalm 112:4, 7-8).

    "He shall judge the world in righteousness… The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know your name will put their trust in you; for you, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you" (Psalm 9:8-10). 

19. Hymn: O Lord, How Happy Should We Be

Hymn: O Lord, How Happy Should We Be

Author: Joseph Anstice (1808-1836)

1. O Lord, how happy should we be
    If we could cast our care on Thee,
    If we from self could rest,
    And feel at heart that One above,
    In perfect wisdom, perfect love,
    Is working for the best!

2. How far from this our daily life,
    Ever disturbed by anxious strife,
    By sudden, wild alarms!
    O could, we but relinquish all
    Our earthly props, and simply fall
    On Thy almighty arms!

3. Could we but kneel and cast our load,
    E'en while we pray, upon our God,
    Then rise with lightened cheer,
    Sure that the Father, who is nigh
    To still the famished raven's cry,
    Will hear in that we fear!

4. Lord, make these faithless hearts of ours
    Such lesson learns from birds and flowers;
    Make them from self to cease,
    Leave all things to a Father's will,
    And taste, before Him lying still,
    E'en in affliction, peace.

18. Devotional: Pray and Persevere

Devotional: Pray and Persevere

Author: David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

    God wants to ensure your heart is set on persevering, no matter how long his answers to prayer take.

    Jesus gave us a parable to prove that he waits for us to persevere. It is the parable of the distressed widow who kept coming to the judge and requesting justice (see Luke 18:2-8). The judge finally granted the widow’s request only because he did not want to be worn down by her constant pleading. "Yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me" (Luke 18:5, NKJV). Jesus responded, "Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge his own elect who cry out day and night to him, though he bears long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily" (Luke 18:7-8).

    Most of us misinterpret this passage as Jesus speaking a paradox when he says, "bears long with them" and then "he will avenge them speedily." However, Jesus isn’t speaking of delaying a long time. He says God wants to answer us speedily, but God is "bearing something" that calls for patience on his part. He says, "I will put up with this thing I see in your heart. I will bear with you until you are willing to lay hold as you should for the answer."

    As I look back at some of the things I have persevered in prayer for, I see the Lord saying, "I'm holding up the request to you like a mirror. Through this, I will show you what is deep in your heart."

    I have seen doubt, fear, unbelief, and many things that have made me throw myself at Jesus’s feet and cry, "Oh, Lord, I’m not interested in the answers anymore, but only in getting this spirit out of me. I don’t want to doubt you."

    The hardest part of faith is the last half hour. When it seems God will not answer, we often give up and go on to something else. We think we are surrendering to God’s providence, depending on his sovereign will. We say, "Well, God, you must not have wanted it after all."

    No! That is not what God intended. When praying for God’s obvious will, such as the salvation of your family, you have every right to hold on and persevere. Never give up until Jesus answers.

17. Modern Worship Song: Still, My Soul Be Still

Modern Worship Song: Still, My Soul Be Still

Author: Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend

(Vocal)

(Music)

1. Still, my soul, be still, and do not fear
    Though winds of change may rage tomorrow.
    God is at your side no longer dread
    The fires of unexpected sorrow.

Chorus:

God, You are my God

And I will trust in You and not be shaken.

Lord of peace, renew

A steadfast spirit within me

To rest in You alone.

2. Still, my soul, be still do not be moved
    By lesser lights and fleeting shadows.
    Hold on to His ways with shield of faith,
    Against temptation's flaming arrows.

3. Still, my soul, be still, do not forsake
    The truth you learned in the beginning.
    Wait upon the Lord and hope will rise
    As stars appear when day is dimming.