The world will always be stressful, but you don't need to be stressed! Psalm 131 (NIV) A song of ascents. Of David. 1  My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. 2  But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. 3  Israel, put your hope in the Lord  both now and forevermore. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 18: The Proper Attitude Toward Election and ­Reprobation To those who complain about this grace of an undeserved election and about the severity of a just reprobation, we reply with the words of the apostle, “Who are you, O man, to talk back to God?” (Rom. 9:20), and with the words of our Savior, “Have I no right to do what I want with my own?” (Matt. 20:15). Summary A Psalm of ascents is one that Jewish pilgrims sang as they traveled to worship in the Jerusalem temple from whatever far flung village they called home. Since Jerusalem sits at a higher elevation than most of the surrounding areas, these folks had an uphill climb - an ascent . They would sing these short psalms as they moved up the mountain with other worshipers. Although your day to day life certainly looks different than those early Israelites (we don't have many ascents here in the upper Midwest!), they - just like so many of us - were stressed out. Maybe an ancient, agrarian lifestyle in a temperate climate seems like the antidote to anxiety, but David shows that people in all times and places have that one, ugly aspect in common: as sinners, we all are crushed by stress. But David also demonstrates stress can be defeated. He first identifies two key sources of stress that he has learned to avoid. The first is pride / haughtiness - that innate tendency we all have to think of ourselves more highly than we ought. Pride is a contentment killer. Your work assignments will always seem less significant than you think they should be; your house never be quite as impressive as the one down the street; your kids won't measure up to the goals you have for them or you won't measure up to goals your parents had for you; and on and on and on. Life will continually seem to be pressing down on you because your proud heart and haughty eyes will make you think you're getting the shaft. The second stressor David has learned to eliminate is worrying about great matters and things too wonderful [NET: things beyond] himself. How worried are you right now about wars that are world away or silly things a politician did or said on TV? Can you do anything about such things? It's not wrong for you to be concerned, or to have an informed opinion, but worrying about things you have no control over only adds stress to your life.   Dig Deeper   Instead of letting his life be consumed with pride and things beyond, David has learned the key to contentment: calming and quieting himself in a hectic and noisy world. David doesn't give specific how-to's here in this short psalm of ascents , rather he sums it all up in the final verse: put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore. The world has all sorts of remedies for the stresses you (and everyone else) are being crushed by: vacations, conveniences, luxuries, escapes, distractions... there's no end to it. Certainly not all of those things are worthless in and of themselves, but at best all they can offer is temporary relief. But if you want true freedom from the stress that's continually afflicted mankind from the moment that Adam succumbed to the serpent, follow David's - really, the Holy Spirit's - advice here: eliminate the sin that makes you so susceptible to stressors, learn to quiet yourself in the midst of noise, and above all, put your hope in the LORD! AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, whose grace is stronger than we are, and who is worthy of all of our hope; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for strength and wisdom to eliminate sinful stressors, quiet yourself in the midst of the chaos, and to put your hope in the LORD; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Matthew 15

You've been unconditionally elected by a sovereign God whose grace is stronger than you are. Romans 11:33-36 (NIV) CONTEXT: Romans 9-11 are some of the most difficult chapters in the Bible as they explain that in His sovereignty, God has chosen some for salvation, and has passed over others, leaving them eternally liable for their sin. This short doxology comes at the end of this difficult section. 33  Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34  “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”  35  “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?”  36  For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 18: The Proper Attitude Toward Election and ­Reprobation To those who complain about this grace of an undeserved election and about the severity of a just reprobation, we reply with the words of the apostle, “Who are you, O man, to talk back to God?” (Rom. 9:20), and with the words of our Savior, “Have I no right to do what I want with my own?” (Matt. 20:15). Summary Paul wrote these beautiful words to wrap up his most difficult teaching (Romans 9 - 11), so it's good for us to glorify God with these words as we finish the longest and most difficult teaching contained in the Canons of Dordt. Next week we'll move on to the second canon (point) out of five. We've read 84 passages together now this year, all of them focused on God's unconditional election of those He's ordained for salvation. We've also wrestled through the corresponding reality that if God chose some, He necessarily passed over others, leaving them in their sin. So it's good to pause here for a moment, and with Paul stand in awe of the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God. One aspect that continually comes to the forefront of so many passages, regardless of the topic, is the need for the faithful to continually grow in this divine knowledge. Learning ought to be a lifelong pursuit for those who've been unconditionally elected as we come to share in the rich wisdom and knowledge of the one in whose image we've been created (and now re-created) in! This year we've also found the end of some of those intellectual roads as well - times when we so badly wanted to know more, but where God closed His mouth, so to speak. So too we sing out with the Apostle as he acknowledges that God's judgments are unsearchable, and His paths are beyond tracing out!   Dig Deeper   Many of us get so used to seeing the word that we don't even notice it any more, but it seems so odd to others. As they look at the name of our church, they become curious. It makes sense to see words like grace or faith in a church's name; even words like catholic, methodist, or presbyterian just seem to fit a church, even if most people don't really know what they really mean. But why on earth, people want to know, do so many of our churches have the word REFORMED in our names? Often their assumption is that we're something like the old word for prisons - a reformatory - in which bad people are made good. I guess that's not the worse thing in the world for them to think of us. One of the hallmarks of Reformed churches is that we focus on God's sovereignty - His control, authority and presence in every aspect of life. Paul captures the concept of God's sovereignty so well in the final verse of his doxology: For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things . You've been unconditionally elected by a sovereign God whose grace is far stronger than you are. This means that there is no place that you can go and nothing you can do or that can be done to you that could ever separate you from God's loving grace. The more you learn about and understand this awesome reality (especially the deep & difficult parts), the more you will experience the unspeakable peace that comes with this knowledge. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, to whom be the glory forever! A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will continue to grow in the wisdom and knowledge of God; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Matthew 14

God has foreordained all that comes to pass, yet you're fully responsible for your choices. BibleHub.com Jeremiah 18:1-10 (NIV) 18 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: 2  “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” 3  So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. 4  But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. 5  Then the word of the LORD came to me. 6  He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. 7  If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, 8  and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. 9  And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, 10  and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 18: The Proper Attitude Toward Election and ­Reprobation To those who complain about this grace of an undeserved election and about the severity of a just reprobation, we reply with the words of the apostle, “Who are you, O man, to talk back to God?” (Rom. 9:20), and with the words of our Savior, “Have I no right to do what I want with my own?” (Matt. 20:15).  Summary Once again the Bible utilizes the metaphor of a potter turning clay to describe God's sovereignty over creation, but this one is a bit different than the others. This description doesn't feature the purposefully ridiculous premise of a pot talking back, complaining about the form it's being given. This time, though, the clay got marred in the potter's hands, so the potter would rework the clay into another kind of pot as he saw fit (NET). The LORD was giving Jeremiah more than just a lesson in pottery here. God explains to him that Israel is like clay in the hands of the potter. What God says next is quite remarkable: just as pottery is a dynamic process in that the clay's reaction to the potter's forming influences its final shape, so it is with the people God is shaping. When the LORD announces destruction but the people repent, as did the Ninevites in Jonah's day, then He relents and does not inflict on it the disaster He had planned. Conversely, when God announces blessings, yet the people rebel and disobey, then He will reconsider the good He had intended to do for it. So although the potter certainly retains full control over the forming process, the pot retains some say in the matter as well.   Dig Deeper   A fatalist is someone who believes that everything in life is predetermined and unchangeable, so no matter what choices we make, the outcome is already set. Often people conclude that those who embrace these doctrines of grace (Calvinism / TULIP) that we've been studying this year must be fatalists, since we believe that God's eternal, unchanging will is being sovereignly worked out to its end. The future has been foreordained, so whatever was planned to happen will happen regardless of our actions. But we're not fatalists. Yes, the Bible teaches that God, from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass ( Westminster Confession , Chapter 3). Yet God works out His will in a way that preserves people's responsibility. To help explain this, theologians make a distinction in how we describe God's will. God's decretive will is that which God has decreed from before creation, all of which will work out exactly as God intends. These decrees include things like who He has elected to salvation and the exact moment that Christ will return to judge the living and the dead. God's preceptive will are the things He has commanded (precepts), but yet which He allows us to either follow or disobey. These choices we make have consequences that are either good or bad. Passages like today's help explain that God allows history to work itself out in ways that are contingent upon our choices, yet which ultimately conform to His foreordained decrees. If that sounds confusing, don't worry... it is. But to remain Biblically faithful, you must hold the tension between these two ideas: God sovereignly works out all things according to His eternal plan, but the choices you make and the way you respond to Him matters significantly. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who sovereignly controls all that comes to pass; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will obey all that God has commanded; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Matthew 13

Questioning God isn’t wrong, but asking them the wrong way might kill you. Isaiah 45:9-13 (NET) 9  One who argues with his creator is in grave danger, one who is like a mere shard among the other shards on the ground! The clay should not say to the potter, “What in the world are you doing? Your work lacks skill!” 10  Danger awaits one who says to his father, “What in the world are you fathering?” and to his mother, “What in the world are you bringing forth?” 11  This is what the Lord says, the Holy One of Israel, the one who formed him, concerning things to come: “How dare you question me about my children! How dare you tell me what to do with the work of my own hands! 12  I made the earth, I created the people who live on it. It was me—my hands stretched out the sky, I give orders to all the heavenly lights. 13  It is me—I stir him [King Cyrus] up and commission him; I will make all his ways level. He will rebuild my city; he will send my exiled people home, but not for a price or a bribe,” says the Lord who commands armies. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 18: The Proper Attitude Toward Election and ­Reprobation To those who complain about this grace of an undeserved election and about the severity of a just reprobation, we reply with the words of the apostle, “Who are you, O man, to talk back to God?” (Rom. 9:20), and with the words of our Savior, “Have I no right to do what I want with my own?” (Matt. 20:15).  Summary Isaiah stacks up a couple of ridiculous scenarios at the beginning of our passage which set forth questions that are obviously inappropriate. In the first one, Isaiah utilizes a well used Biblical metaphor in which a pot being formed begins to question the skill and purpose of the potter . The second scenario, which is even more jarring, has parents being insultingly questioned as to their children. Three times the same question rings out: what in the world are you doing?!? But Isaiah here isn't just listing off a couple of social faux pas that the well manored ought to avoid. These are questions that will kill you! The one who argues with his creator is in grave danger , writes Isaiah. He goes on to warn that danger awaits those who put forth such inquiries. If Isaiah were preaching these words rather than writing them, he'd likely pause for a few moments after laying out those examples - the awkwardness of silence often focuses the audience's attention. Then he would thunder out that famous and awesome Biblical reprise that's been translated into modern English in v11, but sounds so much better in the old King James vernacular: Thus sayeth the LORD... ! And the LORD doesn't mince words. If it's utterly ridiculous for a pot to question its shape or to ask parents what kind of monster they're bringing forth, then God demands to know how dare you question me about my children! How dare you tell me what to do with the work of my own hands!!!   Dig Deeper   Isaiah isn't responding to a hypothetical situation here. We looked at the beginning of this chapter late last year and were shocked to learn that the messiah God would raise up to save His covenant people from the exile they would experience was none other than the polytheistic, pagan King Cyrus of Persia, who is again referred to at the end of today's passage. So it makes sense that the reaction Isaiah's first readers would have had is what in the world are you doing, God?!? Certainly the ancient Israelites haven't been the only people to ever ask such an inappropriate question of their Creator. We do it constantly; especially as we wrestle with the difficult concepts related to God's Unconditional Election of some to salvation, even as He passes over others and leaves them in the mess we created. It doesn't seem fair or right to us that God would do such a thing in which He seems to arbitrarily save a few rather than all. What in the world have you brought forth, God?!? Interestingly, The LORD doesn't attempt to rationalize His choices or explain the intricacies of His plan here. He doesn't call for patience or remind His people that even if things look blurry now it will all makes sense in the end. Rather, He just asserts His sovereign authority. He plainly states, I made the earth, I created the people who live on it. It was me - my hands stretched out the sky. I give orders to all the heavenly lights. This 'pot' belongs to the LORD and He'll do with it as He sees fit. Period. Now we know, as the Apostle Paul will famously conclude , that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him . There is a method to what often seems to us to be madness. But that's not the reason you're given today to bite your tongue instead of firing off inappropriate questions to God. Today, in the words of the psalmist , just be still and know that the LORD is God. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, the LORD who commands armies; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will humbly trust God's decisions and will even when you don't understand it; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Matthew 12

You don't want God to treat you fairly. The Payday Parable - Matthew 20:12 Matthew 20:1-16 (NIV) 20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2  He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. 3  “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4  He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5  So they went. “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6  About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ 7  “ ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ 8  “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ 9  “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10  So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11  When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12  ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ 13  “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14  Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15  Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16  “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 18: The Proper Attitude Toward Election and ­Reprobation To those who complain about this grace of an undeserved election and about the severity of a just reprobation, we reply with the words of the apostle, “Who are you, O man, to talk back to God?” (Rom. 9:20), and with the words of our Savior, “Have I no right to do what I want with my own?” (Matt. 20:15).  Summary The opening words of chapter twenty are critical for properly interpreting what follows. So often the conventional wisdom regards parables as 'earthly stories with heavenly meanings,' as if they are cute little vignettes designed to provide a few pointers on godly living. But that's not at all what Jesus intended; Jesus here clearly provides His purpose as He begins with the familiar phrase: The kingdom of heaven is like... Remember, a better understanding of a parable is that it is a ' shocking story with a spiritual meaning.' And Jesus once again delivered the shock value! It grates against every sensibility that we have to hear that the men who were barely on the job for an hour got the same full day pay as those who bore the burden of the work and the heat of the day. Jesus' story becomes even more shocking when we take a closer look at the latecomers. The landowner went back to town throughout the day - all the way till 5 PM - and continually found even more guys standing around. Notice he doesn't seem to feel sorry for them or bemoan the state of the economy that left so many men unemployed, because that probably wasn't the case. Had those guys been out earlier in the day with the others they would have found jobs as well. The late shift workers who'd been lazy all day long were probably lazy during the little bit they worked as well. But yet they all went home with a big, fat denarius in their pockets, just like the hard workers.   Dig Deeper   The first words a child learns are often 'mama' or 'dada.' Soon, other single syllable words begin to form, especially the word 'no!' But it doesn't take long for their first complete sentence to be formed: "that's not fair!!!" (especially for those with siblings). That's how deeply ingrained the concept of fairness and equality is within us. The idea that people should get exactly what they've earned - not a penny more or less - serves us well economically. But those concepts don't contain themselves to our economics; they bleed over into our theology as well. Thus, a man who's been a Christian his entire life, who's worked hard for the church and whose sacrifices of time and money prevented him from enjoying the ordinary pleasures of life deserves the grace God granted him much more so than the convert who partied most of his life away. Or so he does in our minds, at least. Until Jesus comes along and shocks us with this parable. DA Carson writes , "The point of the parable is not that all in the kingdom will receive the same reward, but that kingdom rewards depend on God’s sovereign grace." In other words, the fact that any of the men received a denarius at all was based purely on grace. You're likely one of those life long hard workers in the church. It may even at times seem to you that your labor has made you more deserving of God's favor. But be careful demanding that God treat you 'fairly' - unless all of your efforts reached the level of perfection our holy God requires, you require as much grace as the thief on the cross. Praise God for His shocking grace to all who believe! AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who is generous with His grace; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that the Holy Spirit will free you from envy; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Matthew 11

Find the key to experiencing peace in the midst of suffering. riyamatal.blogspot.com Psalm 22:1–11 (NIV) For the director of music. To the tune of “The Doe of the Morning.” A psalm of David. 1  My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? 2  My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. 3  Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises.  4  In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. 5  To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. 6  But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. 7  All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. 8  “He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” 9  Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. 10  From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. 11  Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 17: The Salvation of the Infants of Believers Since we must make judgments about God’s will from his Word, which testifies that the children of believers are holy,  not by nature  but by virtue of the gracious covenant in which they together with their parents are included,  Godly parents ought not to doubt the election and salvation of their children whom God calls out of this life in infancy. Summary We don't know what crisis King David faced as he penned Psalm 22, but it certainly must have been significant. God Himself described David as a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), and yet there were moments that this man who was so close to God felt forsaken and like his cries of anguish went unheard. It would have been bad enough if David were truly alone in his misery, but the people surrounding him only made matters worse. He felt scorned and despised by everyone as they hurled insults, shaking their heads at David's misfortune. It wasn't just that David had fallen on hard times that provoked their ire; it was that he trusted in the LORD but yet fell down anyway. Their taunts of let the LORD save and deliver him dripped with irony; if the LORD had allowed (and maybe even caused) David's troubles in the first place, His salvation wouldn't be of much value. But David does here what we've seen so often when heroes of the Bible struggle: he falls back on his theology. David knows the LORD is enthroned as the Holy One and that the generations who came before trusted Him and were not put to shame. David knows that from the very moment that the LORD brought him out of the womb that the LORD has been his God. Reminding yourself who and what God is in the depth of your struggles refocuses your attention from the afflictions du jour , broadening your perspective. As you dwell on God's covenant faithfulness and His sovereign promise to work all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28), your present problems begin to seem much smaller. It's theology like what David supplies in Psalm 22, recognizing that he had been tightly held in God's hands from his earliest moments, that those grieving the loss of a child can cling to in knowing that without any doubt such a child has eternal salvation because it is rooted by virtue of the gracious covenant in which they together with their parents are included.   Dig Deeper   Most of you are reading this on Good Friday, recognizing the moment that the opening words of David's psalm were infamously uttered by our dying Savior. Commentator Mark Futato notes, The path that David traversed was the path of suffering that leads to glory. This was the path that Jesus traversed in the extreme. Because Jesus Christ has traversed this path for us, we too can traverse it. No, we must traverse it, for “if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering” (Rom 8:17). Psalm 22 is a remarkable guide along the way. It points us to the mixture of pain, faith, and prayer in this present age. It points us to the glory that is ours in the midst of the pain, as it points us to glory that awaits us in the future. It points us to the Lord Jesus Christ, who has gone before us and will go with us to the very end. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who is enthroned as the Holy One; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray along with David: Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Matthew 10

Nothing hurts like the death of a child; nothing heals like God's promises. 2 Samuel 12:20-23 (NIV) CONTEXT: King David has been convicted by the prophet Nathan of his adulterous affair with Bathsheba. Nathan told him "Because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the LORD, the son born to you will die” (v14). David "pleaded with God for the child" (v16), but as prophesied, the child died. David has just been told by his staff that the child is dead. 20  Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate. 21  His attendants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!” 22  He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ 23  But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 17: The Salvation of the Infants of Believers Since we must make judgments about God’s will from his Word, which testifies that the children of believers are holy,  not by nature  but by virtue of the gracious covenant in which they together with their parents are included,  Godly parents ought not to doubt the election and salvation of their children whom God calls out of this life in infancy. Summary The death of a child is one of the most traumatic events anybody might experience. It must have been even more so for David, knowing that it was his own sin that caused the child to die. We see in so many psalms David's ability to pray so eloquently, and he spends an entire week fasting and praying that God would spare the child. But David's entire demeanor changes once the child dies, but it's not the change those closest to David had expected. They saw how distraught he had been while praying, and were afraid to tell him when the boy died for fear of how much deeper David's despair might become. But rather than sink deeper into depression, the king got up, washed, ate and went to the house of the LORD to worship. His stunned staff want to know what's going on and why David's response is so different than they anticipated. So David explains to them why it was he could accept the situation: the child was now dead and nothing could change it. But yet David clung to more than just cold, hard reality. He had an optimism about him that enabled him to clean up and carry on. David knew his son was no longer with him and that there was nothing he could do to bring him back again. But David also knew that he would once again see him. He will not return to me, David said, but I will go to him! Even if David didn't know the details or how it would be made possible, he knew with certainty that, as our Canons summarize the whole of scripture, that Godly parents ought not to doubt the election and salvation of their children whom God calls out of this life in infancy.   Dig Deeper   By God's grace, most of us will never experience the horror of having one of our children die. But all you need to do is stroll through a country cemetary to realize that it wasn't all that long ago that the death of a child - and often several children - was more the norm than the exception. Often times, their weathered grave markers don't even have names inscribed, and instead just say 'infant' or 'child' above a set of dates than only adds up to a few days or weeks. Some of those families - especially the mothers - never recovered from such tragic losses. They had nothing to cling to but loneliness and never ending grief and tears. But many did; chances are that your grandmother or great grandmother was one of these bereaved moms who had hope for their child taken from them at such an early age. The Canons don't offer this solid, certain hope with empty and vapid platitudes about how God just needed another angel or some other feel good nonsense. No, we can be so absolutely certain of this truth because it's grounded in God's unbreakable gracious covenant in which children together with their parents are included . This promise doesn't alleviate all of the pain, and it's certainly not wrong to mourn, but it does offer unspeakable comfort and peace to those who hurt so deeply. Grieving parents whose hope is in Christ will, as David put it, will go to the child God had already called home. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who gives and takes away; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank God for the assurance His covenant promises give to you and your children; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Matthew 8

You (and your children) are saved the same way God's people always have been. blog.truthforlife.org Acts 2:36-41 (NIV) CONTEXT: Peter, freshly anointed by the Holy Spirit, has been preaching to the crowd on Pentecost morning. These verses contain his conclusion and the crowd's response: 36  “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37  When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38  Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40  With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41  Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 17: The Salvation of the Infants of Believers Since we must make judgments about God’s will from his Word, which testifies that the children of believers are holy,  not by nature  but by virtue of the gracious covenant in which they together with their parents are included,  Godly parents ought not to doubt the election and salvation of their children whom God calls out of this life in infancy. Summary A good sermon conclusion summarizes the main message and implores the listener to take action to change their life. Peter's conclusion to his famous Pentecost sermon is a perfect example: Main points: God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ; You crucified Him. Calls to action: Let all Israel be assured of this! Repent and be baptized in the name of Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Peter's first point hit that crowd like a ton of bricks. God had made that itinerant rabbi - the one rumored to have performed all sorts of miracles - the very Messiah that the prophets had been predicting for thousands of years who would come to save Israel. God had fulfilled these promises in Jesus! But Jesus had been dead for nearly two months at this point ( pente cost is 50 days after the Passover, when Jesus had been killed). And worse yet, Peter just pointed his finger directly at them, accusing them of crucifying Him! But how could this be, they must have wondered, since most of this crowd were out of towners who had gathered for the Pentecost festival, and weren't anywhere near Jerusalem on the fateful day Jesus died. Peter demonstrates the power of Biblical preaching. It boldly proclaims what God has done and it convicts those listening of their sin. Those who heard Peter speak that morning were not any more guilt of physically hanging Jesus on the cross than we are; Peter's point is that all of humanity shares that guilt. Then the Holy Spirit takes those convicting words and uses them to cut to the heart - the first step in regeneration. All that's left for the preacher to do is to call the congregation to repentance and baptism in the name of Christ.   Dig Deeper   Peter's most radical claim almost doesn't even get noticed at first. Peter wasn't the first to claim that God had made so and so the messiah; lots of men had been making that claim for centuries, including some right before and even during the life of Jesus. Such a claim on its own would hardly even attract attention. But Peter, guided and inspired by the Holy Spirit, takes the claim a step further. He appropriates the covenant promises God had made to Abraham ( which we read about yesterday ), proclaiming that forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit is for you and your children and for all who are far off! Peter's massive announcement hitches together all of God's Old Testament provisions and promises made to His covenant people with the victory that Jesus (the) Christ achieved. It means that those of us who now know the gospel message are saved in the exact same way the Israelites of old were: by inclusion into this ongoing covenant relationship with God. This also means that our children who are born into this covenant in our day and age have the same assurance of salvation that children born into godly families have always had. This is the exact promise that God made to Abraham thousands of years ago, that Peter applied to this first batch of converts on Pentecost, which we continue to celebrate each time we get the privilege of welcoming a new covenant child into the Church. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who has made Jesus both Lord and Christ; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank God for the assurance His covenant promises give to you and your children; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Matthew 7

We can be absolutely certain regarding the salvation of covenant children. Biblia.com Genesis 17:1-8 (NIV) 17 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. 2  Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” 3  Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4  “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5  No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. 6  I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 7  I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8  The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 17: The Salvation of the Infants of Believers Since we must make judgments about God’s will from his Word, which testifies that the children of believers are holy,  not by nature  but by virtue of the gracious covenant in which they together with their parents are included,  Godly parents ought not to doubt the election and salvation of their children whom God calls out of this life in infancy. Summary When Abram was ninety-nine years old... I'm always struck by how hard it is to understand spans of time when reading scripture. After all, the whole Abraham narrative began only five chapters earlier in the book of Genesis, which means it wouldn't take long to read about everything that's happened since God called him to pick up and move from one country to another. So it's easy to vastly underestimate the amount of time that's gone by. But at ninety-nine, Abram wasn't underestimating anything. It had been twenty four long years since he had faithfully responded to God's call, and although God had given plenty of evidence of His providence in Abram's life, His primary promise to make Abram into a great nation (Gen. 12:2) remained stymied by the fact that Abram and his equally old wife were childless. God's promise was far more than an ordinary promise; it was more than just an optimistically set goal that God hoped to achieve if everything went according to plan. No, God made this promise in the form of a covenant, which is a significant and formal contract of sorts. Essentially, the LORD legally obligated Himself to fulfill the stipulations He had promised to Abram. In Abram's ninety-ninth year of life, God once again reminded Abram of His covenantal obligation to greatly increase Abram's numbers and to make him the father of many nations. Despite all of the evidence to the contrary - the biological impossibility of a childless couple in their nineties becoming pregnant - God wanted Abram (and us) to know He would always be faithful to His covenant promises.   Dig Deeper   This week we're going to unpack the awesome, comforting doctrine the Canons articulate regarding the salvation of the young children of believing parents. But notice the somewhat cryptic introduction to this article: Since we must make judgments about God’s will from his Word... The reality is that since there are no smoking gun proof texts that specify the fate of children who die in infancy, we must make a judgment about God's will in this matter. This isn't comfortable ground for us Reformed folk. One of the greatest tenants of our faith is that it's not grounded on somebody's carefully imagined framework, but rather on the bedrock principle of sola scriptura. If God's Word doesn't say it, we don't believe it. Conversely, if God's Word commands it, we obey it. Period. Yet you need not worry that the Canons are driving you over a cliff by making a judgment in this matter. All it's doing here is combining several concrete theological truths which are solidly and directly rooted in scripture and deriving a conclusion that logically must be true as well. Actually, you need to do this same thing on a daily basis in life: apply multiple Biblical facts to know how to handle situations the Bible doesn't directly address. This is why you need to be a good theologian! So even though the Bible doesn't specifically mention the salvation of believer's children, we can be absolutely certain of their salvation because the Bible is so absolutely certain about God's covenant promises. Over and over in scripture, God states that His covenant relationship is between me and you and your descendents after you. In other words, His promises apply to our children. This is why we call them our covenant children. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, God Almighty, who calls us to walk before Him and be blameless; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for wisdom as you construct conclusions each day by stitching together Biblical truths and applying them to the situations you face; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Matthew 6

Feeling downcast is a sign of faith - not the lack of it! Bible.com PSALMS BOOK II Psalms 42–72 Psalm 42 For the director of music. A maskil  of the Sons of Korah. 1  As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. 2  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3  My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 4  These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng. 5  Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. 6  My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. 7  Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. 8  By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life. 9  I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” 10  My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 11  Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. [This same song continues in Psalm 43] Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 16 - Encouragement for the Doubting Those who do not yet actively experience within themselves  a living faith in Christ or an assured confidence of heart, peace of conscience, a zeal for childlike obedience, and a glorying in God through Christ,  but who nevertheless use the means by which God has promised to work these things in us— such people  ought not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to count themselves among the reprobate;  rather they ought to continue diligently in the use of the means, to desire fervently a time of more abundant grace, and to wait for it in reverence and humility.  On the other hand, those who seriously desire to turn to God,  to be pleasing to God alone, and to be delivered from the body of death,  but are not yet able to make such progress along the way of godliness and faith as they would like— such people ought much less to stand in fear of the teaching concerning reprobation, since our merciful God has promised not to snuff out a smoldering wick or break a bruised reed.  However, those who have forgotten God and their Savior Jesus Christ and have abandoned themselves wholly to the cares of the world and the pleasures of the flesh— such people have every reason to stand in fear of this teaching,  as long as they do not seriously turn to God. Summary Psalm 42 is the perfect psalm for us to read this week as we've been considering how we can feel assurance even when our doubt is great and our faith is weak. When (not if) you feel down - maybe it's only once and awhile, or maybe it's quite often - the temptation is to question your Christianity, because it seems like those who are truly saved ought not feel that way. But the psalmists often felt that way, as did so many other pillars of the faith, both in the Bible and throughout history. The psalmist here captures these feelings and expresses them so well in words (as he so often does!): My tears have been my food My soul is downcast and disturbed Why has God forgotten me? [God's] waves and breakers have swept over me I go about mourning and oppressed My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me Fear, depression, anxiety, loneliness, doubt and mourning are part of life in our fallen and broken world. Certainly some people experience them more than others, but nobody can avoid these feelings altogether - even strong Christians. Psalm 42 is the first psalm in the second of the four books the Psalms are divided into. This puts this psalm in an important position, because the first psalm in each book sets the tone for those that follow it. And the tone of Psalm 42 is crystal clear: when (not if) you struggle, you can put your hope in God (even when you're doubting and upset with Him!).   Dig Deeper   Nobody after reading (or better yet, singing) Psalm 42 thinks, 'wow, how depressing!' Quite the opposite. The psalm's refrain captures the deep optimism the psalmist had even in the midst of his trouble: Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:5, 11 / 43:5) There's a tremendous irony expressed in Psalm 42: the reason the psalmist experiences such deep pain is because He knows so well how things ought to be for those who belong to the living God! In other words, it's because he's experienced God's light that he realizes just how painfully dark the world can be. Darkness seems normal for those who have never seen light. But the psalmist has assurance as he walks through the dark valley that drove him to express these thoughts, which comes from his deep and longing desire to fully experience God: My soul pants & thirsts for you, my God Where can I go and meet with God? I remember... the house of God Part of the reason that even as a Christian you experience such deep lows is because you so intensely miss feeling God's presence in your life! When you walk through the valley and feel the way the psalmist often felt, follow the Canon's advice: Continue to use the means [preaching, sacraments & discipline] by which God has promised to work His grace into your life as you desire fervently a time of more abundant grace, and wait for it in reverence and humility . AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, our Savior and our God, in whom we put our hope; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you'll be reminded that whatever your present circumstances, the day will come in which you will again praise Him; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Matthew 5