The LORD Will Reign Forever - A Reminder on Election Day

If you are an American citizen and you have not voted yet, I hope you will exercise your right and duty at some point today by going to vote.  Too many sacrifices have been made for you and me not to take advantage of this great freedom.   

And then as you watch and wait on the results of this election throughout the day and into the night, I hope you will keep the truth of Psalm 146 in mind (whether the candidate you voted for wins or loses).  Let this psalm remind us where our ultimate hope and trust must lie - in the God who will reign forever:

Put not your trust in princes,
in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
When his breath departs he returns to the earth;
on that very day his plans perish.

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,
who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
who executes justice for the oppressed,
who gives food to the hungry.

The LORD sets the prisoners free;
the LORD opens the eyes of the blind.
The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
the LORD loves the righteous.
The LORD watches over the sojourners;
he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

The LORD will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD!

--Psalm 146:3-10

Monday Morning Encouragement for Preachers

This is intended to encourage those of you who preached yesterday (and for those of you who listened to someone preach yesterday, here's some insight into how we preachers often feel...and how you can pray for us).

Few preachers who preach God's Word feel great when the sermon's done. I'm usually thinking about everything I didn't have time to say or even a few things I did say that I wish I hadn't.  Then the time for the benediction slips up on me, I give it, and then I sneak to the back door to talk with people as they walk out. Sometimes people come to talk, and I'm humbled and encouraged by the ways they say the Lord used the sermon in their lives. Other times no one says much of anything, which bothers me more than I wish it did.

But the immediate feedback - as much as we crave the instant gratification - isn't the point. A pastorate is made up of a lot of sermons, and the fact is, most of those sermons are going to be singles rather than triples or home runs. But that's fine. If the Lord is so kind as to give you even a long string of singles, that's purely of His grace, and your congregation will benefit and grow from that. You score runs with a string of singles. So don't worry if you haven't hit a home run in a while - and if you hit one today, don't get cocky! Either way, go home, rest, thank God for the grace He gave you to teach and encourage His people again, take some time off, and then start the whole process over the next week. Our God is a good God, and week after week, sermon after sermon, He will give grace and strength and insight to the men who preach His Word.

--Mark Dever and Greg Gilbert, Preach: Theology Meets Practice 

The Christian Needs Another Christian

"But God has put this Word into the mouth of men in order that it may be communicated to other men. When one person is struck by the Word, he speaks it to others....Therefore, the Christian needs another Christian who speaks God's Word to him. He needs him again and again when he becomes uncertain and discouraged, for by himself he cannot help himself without belying the truth. He needs his brother man as a bearer and proclaimer of the divine word of salvation."

--Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

The Consoling, Heart-Cheering Word of God

"When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul." (Psalm 94:19)

Our Ongoing Need for the Gospel

What a blessing to have one of our church members encourage me with this quote after yesterday's sermon:

"The gospel cannot soak deeply into us unless it is addressing our ongoing need for it."

--Neil H. Williams, Gospel Transformation

HT: Of First Importance

A Lifting Up for the Downcast

"The LORD upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down." (Psalm 145:14)

When you're falling, it's fearful and harmful because no one is there to catch you. But the LORD upholds all who are falling.

When you're bowed down, it's difficult to get up on your own. But the LORD raises up all who are bowed down.

Don't be ashamed of falling or being bowed down. You're in the perfect place for the Lord to uphold you and in the perfect posture for the Lord to raise you up.

Comforts and Crosses Work Together

"[B]e not discouraged: usefulness and trials, comforts and crosses, strength and exercise go together. But remember He has said, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.' When you get to heaven, you will not complain of the way by which the Lord brought you."

--John Newton, Letters of John Newton

Encouragement for Weary and Wounded Souls

When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. --Psalm 94:19 (ESV)

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. --Psalm 43:5 (ESV)

Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come...
--Psalm 71:3a (ESV)