Reformers and Puritans

Josh June 4th, 2006

Christians,

Man is but dust that blows away in the wind!

Consider King David: Though David was characterized as “a man after God’s own heart”, he was nonetheless carried astray by his own evil desires. Permitted by God’s providence to engage in the sinfulness thereof. Despite his multiple spiritual “accomplishments” up to that point, despite his attainment, despite all these things, even he still fell.

Consider King Solomon: Even with all his God-given wisdom, wisdom which surpassed all others, he was carried away by the depravity of his own heart, vying for the affections of others over the Lord His God and following after the folly, as if he were somehow a slave to their passions.

Consider Peter who, no doubt, sincerely believed that his devotion to the Lord Jesus was unwaivering. “Surely, Lord, while all others may desert, I will not!” And yet he experiences the gracious, merciful look of Jesus after having thrice denied the Lord according to His sure prediction.

Men, I say again, we are but dust that blows away in the wind! But what is it that separates us from other men?

Blessed be the Lord God Who has purchased our redemption and passed us from death to life! Though our sins were like scarlet, they became white as snow. In His mercy, the Lord God has seen fit to redeem sinful man for Himself and, not considering time or men’s invention or decision, He elected a chosen people for Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace!

Even though we may fall, let us remember the mercies of our Lord as exemplified by the aforementioned men of Scripture, along with others.

As our respective Confessions (WCF and LBCF 1689) state (with sligh variation from another):

Although…unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions: of being in the favour of God and estate (LBCF uses “state”) of salvation; which hope of theirs shall perish: yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavouring to walk in all good conscience before him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are in a state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God: which hope shall never make them ashamed.

This Lord’s Day let us worship the Almighty in Spirit and in Truth, remembering the ways of His Word and being diligent to apply them in our lives.

May we pray with pure hearts and minds, according to the truths of Scripture:

O, God, hallowed be Your Name. You alone are worthy to recieve our undivided affections and worship. We ask you, O Lord to bless Your people this day, not according to our merit, but according to Your steadfast love. According to Your promises we beseech Your good will to be upon us. We believe in Your eternal and inherent goodness; thus, we ask these things.

We confess our great need and ineptitude before You. We confess our rebellion against and transgressions of Your law. Have mercy on us, O Lord, according to the seal of approval You set on us, according to Your covenant. Be our God, as we are Your people. Grant us repentance from our desensitization of sin that we might be a people who cry out, “Woe is us, for we are undone!” Expose our wretchedness to Your glorious light, knowing that the pain will be great while under such scrutiny, but the fruit thereof, is victory. Give us the strength to daily mortify our flesh.

Thank You for not dealing with us according to our natural states, but according to the righteousness of Jesus Christ which was imputed to us the hour we first believed via the faith You freely gave us according to Your gracious determination. We humble ourselves before You, recognizing we are but dust in the wind, and yet, that You are mindful of us, O Lord, is more than we can comprehend!

Build Your holy Church, Lord. We avail ourselves to You not because You have need of us, but because we wish to obey Your commands and believe that you have a means by which You accomplish Your ends. Blessed be Your Name, O Lord, You Who saves from everlasting to everlasting. You are God.

Amen.

• Devotional Thoughts , Pilgrim's Progress , Prayer , Quotes , Theology General , Worship
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