He bowed his shoulder to bear

Daily Light Devotions - March 4 - Evening

He bowed his shoulder to bear.

He saw that a resting place was good, and that the land was pleasant, so he bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant at forced labor. 1

As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 2

Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 3

But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips. 4

Then Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD has said, 'Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.'" And Aaron held his peace. 5

So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, "It is the LORD. Let him do what seems good to him." 6

Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. 7

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 8

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." 9
______________

1 Gen 49:15;
2 James 5:10;
3 1 Cor 10:11;
4 Job 2:10;
5 Lev 10:3;
6 1 Sam 3:18;
7 Psa 55:22;
8 Isa 53:4;
9 Matt 11:28-30

Set your affection on things above

Daily Light Devotions - March 4 - Morning

Set your affection on things above ...

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 1

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 2

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 3

for we walk by faith, not by sight. 4

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 5

to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 6
______________

1 Col 3:2;
2 1 John 2:15;
3 Matt 6:19-21;
4 2 Cor 5:7;
5 2 Cor 4:16-18;
6 1 Pet 1:4

Only by faith

"The only way of receiving supplies of spiritual strength and grace from Jesus Christ, on our part, is by faith. Hereby we come unto him, are implanted in him, abide with him, so as to bring forth fruit. He dwells in our hearts by faith, and he acts in us by faith, and we live by faith in or on the Son of God." — John Owen, The Glory of Christ (Carlisle, Pa.: Banner of Truth, 1965), 459

(HT: Of First Importance)

What further benefit do we receive from the sacrifice and death of Christ on the cross?

Heidelberg Catechism

Question 43. What further benefit do we receive from the sacrifice and death of Christ on the cross?

Answer. That by His power our old man is with Him crucified, slain, and buried;[1] so that the evil lusts of the flesh may no more reign in us,[2] but that we may offer ourselves unto Him a sacrifice of thanksgiving.[3]

[1] Rom 6:5-11; Col 2:11-12;
[2] Rom 6:12-14;
[3] Rom 12:1; 2 Cor 5:15; Eph 5:1-2

The prize of the high calling of God

Daily Light Devotions - March 3 - Evening

The prize of the high calling of God ...

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 1

Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 2

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." 3

His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' 4

And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. 5

And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 6

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 7

Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 8

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 9

Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 10

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 11

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 12
______________

1 Phil 3:14;
2 Matt 19:21;
3 Gen 15:1;
4 Matt 25:21;
5 Rev 22:5;
6 1 Pet 5:4;
7 James 1:12;
8 2 Tim 4:8;
9 1 Cor 9:25;
10 John 17:24;
11 1 Thess 4:17;
12 Rom 8:18

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart

Bagster's Daily Light - March 3 - Morning

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart ...

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 1

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah 2

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD. 3

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. 4

And he said to him, "If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?" 5
______________

1 Prov 3:5,6;
2 Psa 62:8;
3 Psa 32:8-10;
4 Isa 30:21;
5 Exo 33:15,16

Free audiobook: "The Holiness of God"

Christianaudio.com's free audiobook for March is R.S. Sproul's The Holiness of God. The print edition of the book is also on sale in March at Ligonier Ministries for $9.10.

Note that the print edition may also be found with two other Sproul books in Classic Teachings on the Nature of God: The Holiness of God; Chosen by God; Pleasing God—Three Books in One. I recommend reading all three books.

From The Holiness of God book summary at the Ligonier Ministries Web site:

Now celebrating 25 years of publication, this classic can help you better understand the biblical picture of God’s awesome holiness and why it is so foundational to God-centered, God-honoring theology and Christian living. In The Holiness of God , R.C. Sproul demonstrates that encountering God’s holy presence is a terrifying experience. Dr. Sproul argues that this struggle is nonetheless necessary because it is the only way to cure our propensity to trust in ourselves and our own righteousness for salvation.

From Christianaudio.com:

Instructions: Click the book image to the left, click the Add to Cart on the book's page, login to your christianaudio.com account, and complete the order. If you don't have a free christianaudio.com account, you'll be prompted to open one during the checkout process. A coupon code is no longer required to receive the free download!

Send this free download to someone else with our 'Gift This' system by clicking the book image to the left and then click the 'Gift This' button on the title's page.

You can also read an extended review & discussion from Tim Challies.

Since, then, Christ died for us, why must we also die?

Heidelberg Catechism

Question 42. Since, then, Christ died for us, why must we also die?

Answer. Our death is not a satisfaction for our sin, but only a dying to sin and an entering into eternal life.[1]

[1] Jn 5:24; Rom 7:24-25; Php 1:21-23; 1 Thes 5:9-10

There remaineth a rest to the people of God

Bagster's Daily Light - March 2 - Evening

There remaineth a rest to the people of God.

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 1

There the wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary are at rest. There the prisoners are at ease together; they hear not the voice of the taskmaster. 2

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!" 3

After saying these things, he said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him." Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 4

For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened--not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5

And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 6
______________

1 Heb 4:9;
2 Job 3:17,18;
3 Rev 14:13;
4 John 11:11,13;
5 2 Cor 5:4;
6 Rom 8:23-25

God hath caused me to be fruitful

Bagster's Daily Light - March 2 - Morning

God hath caused me to be fruitful ...

The name of the second he called Ephraim, "For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction." 1

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 2

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 3

But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. 4

Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. 5
______________

1 Gen 41:52;
2 2 Cor 1:3-5;
3 1 Pet 1:6,7;
4 2 Tim 4:17;
5 1 Pet 4:19

The law and the gospel in the Word of God

Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids, MI : Wm. B. Eerdmans publishing co., 1938), 612:

The Churches of the Reformation from the very beginning distinguished between the law and the gospel as the two parts of the Word of God as a means of grace. This distinction was not understood to be identical with that between the Old and the New Testament, but was regarded as a distinction that applies to both Testaments. There is law and gospel in the Old Testament, and there is law and gospel in the New. The law comprises everything in Scripture which is a revelation of God’s will in the form of command or prohibition, while the gospel embraces everything, whether it be in the Old Testament or in the New, that pertains to the work of reconciliation and that proclaims the seeking and redeeming love of God in Christ Jesus. And each one of these two parts has its own proper function in the economy of grace. The law seeks to awaken in the heart of man contrition on account of sin, while the gospel aims at the awakening of saving faith in Jesus Christ. The work of the law is in a sense preparatory to that of the gospel. It deepens the consciousness of sin and thus makes the sinner aware of the need of redemption. Both are subservient to the same end, and both are indispensable parts of the means of grace. This truth has not always been sufficiently recognized. The condemning aspect of the law has sometimes been stressed at the expense of its character as a part of the means of grace.

(HT: Tullian Tchividjian)

The faith that saves and sanctifies

"The faith that saves is the faith that sanctifies, because it rests alone on Christ and his work." — Rose Marie Miller, From Fear to Freedom, (Colorado Springs, Co.: WaterBrook Press, 1994), 92

(HT: Of First Importance)