Find true & lasting rest by serving and submitting to your church. Matthew 11:25-30 (NIV) 20  Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. -- 25  At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26  Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. 27  “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 28: The Obligations of Church Members We believe that since this holy assembly and congregation is the gathering of those who are saved and there is no salvation apart from it, no one ought to withdraw from it, content to be by himself, regardless of his status or condition. But all people are obliged to join and unite with it, keeping the unity of the church by submitting to its instruction and discipline, by bending their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ, and by serving to build up one another, according to the gifts God has given them as members of each other in the same body. And to preserve this unity more effectively, it is the duty of all believers, according to God’s Word, to separate themselves from those who do not belong to the church, in order to join this assembly wherever God has established it, even if civil authorities and royal decrees forbid and death and physical punishment result. And so, all who withdraw from the church or do not join it act contrary to God’s ordinance. Summary Jesus is often portrayed as the ultimate example of acceptance and tolerance. So maybe you found it surprising in our opening verse today to read about Jesus denouncing those whom He had performed so many miracles for. The word that Matthew used here to describe Jesus' actions is translated elsewhere as mock, revile, insult, criticize, and even disgrace . These are not normally actions people associate with Jesus. So what could have elicited such a strong reaction from Him? Matthew informs us that it was because so many who had witnessed Jesus' miracles "did not repent ." After seeing first hand the power of the Son of God and hearing with their own ears Jesus preach of God's grace, they didn't change their thinking , which is what the word repent means . This is the context that underlies Jesus' famous invitation to all those who are weary and burdened to come to Him and find the one thing people crave the most: rest . But the prescription Jesus gives for finding this coveted rest is surprising as well: it comes by "taking His yoke upon" yourself and " learning from Him." Being yoked and learning aren't the words most people associate with rest . Perhaps this is why so many people - maybe even you - feel so worn out and tired all the time, because we're doing things so wrong trying to find rest. Here Jesus reminds you that when you truly repent - that is, change your thinking not just about sin, but also about life in general - and live the way your Creator designed you, You "will find [true & lasting] rest for your soul. Dig Deeper You're likely reading this a few days after Labor Day, which for most signals the end of the summer vacation season. Hopefully you were able to get away for awhile and find some good R&R (rest and relaxation). The question is, how long will it be before the crushing realities of school, harvest, increased meetings and weekly activities, and everything else that comes barreling at you in this busier time of year, sap whatever strength you regained from your 'relaxing' summer vacation? So it ought to catch your attention that Jesus offers you true and lasting rest. You already know how difficult it is to find rest in life even though everybody seems to be looking for it, so it shouldn't surprise you that it comes in a way so different than you might expect. Our Confession summarizes Jesus' teaching here by showing that the more you submit to the Church's teaching and instruction, bend your neck under the yoke of Christ, and serve others by building them up, the more you will experience this true rest and peace that Jesus offers. As your Church begins another year of classes, Bible studies, and committee work, the most common excuse people will give is that they don't have the time or energy to participate or help out because they're too tired trying to keep up with their other endeavors. But don't think that you'll find more rest by sitting these things out, because now you know that the opposite is true. The more you submit and serve your local church, the more true and lasting rest you'll experience. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, whom we come to know as Christ reveals Him to us; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for the wisdom to listen to Jesus' teaching on how to find rest rather than what the world convinces you of; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: 2 Corinthians 13

Separating yourself from the Church is a dangerous thing! Numbers 16:1-32 (NIV) Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—became insolent 2  and rose up against Moses. With them were 250 Israelite men, well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council. 3  They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the LORD’s assembly?” 4  When Moses heard this, he fell facedown. 5  Then he said to Korah and all his followers: “In the morning the LORD will show who belongs to him and who is holy, and he will have that person come near him. The man he chooses, he will cause to come near him... 8  Moses also said to Korah, “Now listen, you Levites! 9  Isn’t it enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the Israelite community and brought you near himself to do the work at the LORD’s tabernacle and to stand before the community and minister to them? 10  He has brought you and all your fellow Levites near himself, but now you are trying to get the priesthood too. 11  It is against the LORD that you and all your followers have banded together. Who is Aaron that you should grumble against him?” -- 19  When Korah had gathered all his followers in opposition to them at the entrance to the tent of meeting, the glory of the LORD appeared to the entire assembly. 20  The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 21  “Separate yourselves from this assembly so I can put an end to them at once.” 22  But Moses and Aaron fell facedown and cried out, “O God, the God who gives breath to all living things, will you be angry with the entire assembly when only one man sins?” 23  Then the LORD said to Moses, 24  “Say to the assembly, ‘Move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.’ ” 25  Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. 26  He warned the assembly, “Move back from the tents of these wicked men! Do not touch anything belonging to them, or you will be swept away because of all their sins.” 27  So they moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram had come out and were standing with their wives, children and little ones at the entrances to their tents. 28  Then Moses said, “This is how you will know that the LORD has sent me to do all these things and that it was not my idea: 29  If these men die a natural death and suffer the fate of all mankind, then the LORD has not sent me. 30  But if the LORD brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the realm of the dead, then you will know that these men have treated the LORD with contempt.” 31  As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart 32  and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions. 33  They went down alive into the realm of the dead, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community. Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 28: The Obligations of Church Members We believe that since this holy assembly and congregation is the gathering of those who are saved and there is no salvation apart from it, no one ought to withdraw from it, content to be by himself, regardless of his status or condition. But all people are obliged to join and unite with it, keeping the unity of the church by submitting to its instruction and discipline, by bending their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ, and by serving to build up one another, according to the gifts God has given them as members of each other in the same body. And to preserve this unity more effectively, it is the duty of all believers, according to God’s Word, to separate themselves from those who do not belong to the church, in order to join this assembly wherever God has established it, even if civil authorities and royal decrees forbid and death and physical punishment result. And so, all who withdraw from the church or do not join it act contrary to God’s ordinance. Summary Although today's passage is longer than normal, the gist of it is short and simple: Korah is upset with how the 'church' is being run by Moses, whom God appointed to oversee it (remember, the word 'church' represents God's people in all times and places , so even the Israelites wandering in the desert on the way to the Promised Land are part of the Church). So Korah whips up his own family and a few other clans into a frenzy and rebelliously confronts Moses. Look at Moses' reaction in v4: he falls facedown. Even a baseless accusation that a man of God has been derelict stings a true minister to the core, and Moses' gut reaction is to appeal to the LORD in prayer. But God makes it clear that Korah's rebellion has nothing to do with Moses; it was an outright revolt against the LORD Himself, and against His design for the church at that time. Ultimately, Korah put his own supposed 'rights', desires and ambitions ahead of the LORD's. And while the circumstances vary greatly, Korah's pattern has been countlessly repeated over and over again throughout the Church's history. Dig Deeper By God's grace it's not very often that the earth opens up and swallows those who set themselves against His Church. Although it seems extreme, understand what Korah and his cohorts got is exactly what you and I deserve for our sinful rebellion. God takes His Church and the instructions He's given to us very seriously. Certainly the instructions God gave to the Church on our side of the cross are very different than what He'd given to His covenant people as they moved from slavery to the Promised Land (the same journey you're on, by the way), but yet the core of God's expectations remain the same. That core is summarized in Lord's Day 35 of the Heidelberg Catechism as it unpacks the second commandment: God's people must not "worship Him in any other way than He has commanded in His Word." If you're normal, you probably have a whole list of complaints and things your church could do better. That's ok, and even good when you patiently and properly bring them forward. But when your church is faithfully living out God's instructions, be reminded what a dangerous thing it is to stand against her. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who governs His Church according to His Word; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for your church, that it would follow God's commands for it; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: 2 Corinthians 12

There are no good examples in the Bible of 'Lone Ranger' believers. 2 Chronicles 30:1-9 (NIV) CONTEXT: Good King Hezekiah worked to bring reformation to Israel by getting rid of idolatry and re-establishing proper worship of God in the temple. Hezekiah sent word to all Israel and Judah and also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, inviting them to come to the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover to the LORD, the God of Israel. 2  The king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem decided to celebrate the Passover in the second month. 3  They had not been able to celebrate it at the regular time because not enough priests had consecrated themselves and the people had not assembled in Jerusalem. 4  The plan seemed right both to the king and to the whole assembly. 5  They decided to send a proclamation throughout Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, calling the people to come to Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover to the LORD, the God of Israel. It had not been celebrated in large numbers according to what was written. 6  At the king’s command, couriers went throughout Israel and Judah with letters from the king and from his officials, which read: “People of Israel, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, that he may return to you who are left, who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria. 7  Do not be like your fathers and your fellow Israelites, who were unfaithful to the LORD, the God of their fathers, so that he made them an object of horror, as you see. 8  Do not be stiff-necked, as your fathers were; submit to the LORD. Come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever. Serve the LORD your God, so that his fierce anger will turn away from you. 9  If you return to the LORD, then your fellow Israelites and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will return to this land, for the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.” Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 28: The Obligations of Church Members We believe that since this holy assembly and congregation is the gathering of those who are saved and there is no salvation apart from it, no one ought to withdraw from it, content to be by himself, regardless of his status or condition. But all people are obliged to join and unite with it, keeping the unity of the church by submitting to its instruction and discipline, by bending their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ, and by serving to build up one another, according to the gifts God has given them as members of each other in the same body. And to preserve this unity more effectively, it is the duty of all believers, according to God’s Word, to separate themselves from those who do not belong to the church, in order to join this assembly wherever God has established it, even if civil authorities and royal decrees forbid and death and physical punishment result. And so, all who withdraw from the church or do not join it act contrary to God’s ordinance. Summary Hezekiah inherited a country in shambles from his father, wicked King Ahaz. When it came time to celebrate the Passover, the biggest and most important religious celebration on the Jewish calendar, It has to be postponed because not only were there enough priests who had prepared themselves for it, but nobody even bothered coming to Jerusalem at the appointed time. In other words, nobody - neither the clergy nor the laity - made worshipping God a priority anymore. Hezekiah realized that this failure had resulted in terrible things had happened to Israel. In the letter he sent out, he told the people that this unfaithfulness caused God to make Israel "an object of horror." Hezekiah demanded the people stop being "stiff necked" and instead to "submit to the LORD and come to His sanctuary." Hezekiah then reminded the people of the benefit of regular assembled worship, writing "Serve the LORD your God... for the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn His face from you if you return to Him" (v8-9). Dig Deeper There have always been people, who because of one grievance or the other, have walked away from the Church. They've noted that it's full of hypocrites and that although they love Jesus, they can't stand His Church. Others may not harbor any bitterness or anger towards the Church, but feel like they experience God's presence in a fuller and deeper way by hiking, jogging, sipping coffee on the couch or laying in bed till noon on the Lord's Day rather than assembling with God's people in His sanctuary. But this type of Lone Ranger religion has never been part of God's design. From the moment His people were freed from their slavery, God told them that they were to be a holy people, set apart and different from the world around them. One of the key ways they were to look different was by assembling together often to be reminded that they were His covenant people. Nowhere in the Bible will you find an example of an independent person, disconnected from other covenant people, who is enjoying God's blessing. Quite the opposite, in fact, as King Hezekiah would be very quick to agree with. Although so much has changed about how and why covenant people meet together after Christ arose, the pattern God set for His people thousands of years ago continues to be relevant today. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who "is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him;" A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you and those close to you will truly desire to meet with God's people often, and that you'll experience the blessings associated with doing so; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: 2 Corinthians 11

Synagogue is the primary role of the Church. Wait... what? Hebrews 10:19-25 (NIV) 19  Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20  by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21  and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22  let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 28: The Obligations of Church Members We believe that since this holy assembly and congregation is the gathering of those who are saved and there is no salvation apart from it, no one ought to withdraw from it, content to be by himself, regardless of his status or condition. But all people are obliged to join and unite with it, keeping the unity of the church by submitting to its instruction and discipline, by bending their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ, and by serving to build up one another, according to the gifts God has given them as members of each other in the same body. And to preserve this unity more effectively, it is the duty of all believers, according to God’s Word, to separate themselves from those who do not belong to the church, in order to join this assembly wherever God has established it, even if civil authorities and royal decrees forbid and death and physical punishment result. And so, all who withdraw from the church or do not join it act contrary to God’s ordinance. Summary The first word of our passage today ought to trigger you. You've likely heard this before: 'Whenever you see the word therefore , you need to ask yourself, what's it there for? ' Today's therefore is a big one, summarizing some of the Bible's most awesome examples of how it is that Christ's death could atone for our sin. Jesus' twofold work in which He both paid for your sin and satisfied God's covenant requirement for perfect righteousness on our behalf isn't just a trivial fact floating in the midst of billions of other trivial facts, rather it has profound implications on every aspect of your life. So v19 begins not just with one conjunction, but two: Therefore... since (2x)... followed by three imperatives: let us.. . The unmistakable conclusion here is that although you did nothing to earn the grace that saved you, the resulting Christian life requires obedience and conformity to the One who saved you. Dad-joke connoisseurs will immediately recognize this passage as the Bible's lettuce (let us) patch. Christ saved us, therefore since  we have confidence AND since  we have a great high priest, LET US: Draw near to God; Hold unswervingly to the hope we profess; Spur one another on. Dig Deeper You probably didn't notice that all of the references in this passage are plural, not singular. The writer didn't phrase this as 'since I have confidence and since I have a great priest, I will draw near, hold unswervingly and spur others on.' You likely didn't notice the plural aspect because so many key Bible passages utilize it! It's normal and expected for the Bible to address us as God's people , not just His persons . As we work our way through our Confession's articles on the Church, we'll be reminded often that many people have grown sick and tired of the church and withdraw from it with the intention of remaining faithful to Christ in all other regards. But such a concept is entirely foreign to the Bible. Christians are designed to live in close community with other Christians. We read that we must "not give up meeting together , as some have the habit of doing." The word used here, synagōgē , of course is immediately recognizable to us because it's what Jewish people call their meeting place, but the very word symbolizes what the Christian Church does: syn - together / along with. God's people must be together. agō - to lead, bring, carry. We come together to lead, bring and carry one another closer and closer to Christ. This is why we synagōgē each Lord's Day. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who lives in the Holy Place we confidently enter through Christ; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that as part of Christ's Church, you will lead and be led closer to Christ; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: 2 Corinthians 10

Catholics & Protestants agree there's no salvation apart from the Church, but for very different reasons! Matthew 16:13-20 (NIV) 13  When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14  They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15  “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16  Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17  Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18  And I tell you that you are Peter,  and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20  Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 28: The Obligations of Church Members We believe that since this holy assembly and congregation is the gathering of those who are saved and there is no salvation apart from it, no one ought to withdraw from it, content to be by himself, regardless of his status or condition. But all people are obliged to join and unite with it, keeping the unity of the church by submitting to its instruction and discipline, by bending their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ, and by serving to build up one another, according to the gifts God has given them as members of each other in the same body. And to preserve this unity more effectively, it is the duty of all believers, according to God’s Word, to separate themselves from those who do not belong to the church, in order to join this assembly wherever God has established it, even if civil authorities and royal decrees forbid and death and physical punishment result. And so, all who withdraw from the church or do not join it act contrary to God’s ordinance. Summary This section is a repost from May 22, 2023 Put yourself in the place of the disciples. Everything you've heard Jesus teach on has been mind blowing and has shattered nearly every preconceived notion that they had prior to meeting Him. So every time Jesus asked a question, they probably sweat bullets hoping that Jesus wouldn't pick them to answer, because chances are they'd get it wrong. But here Jesus asks a question that's easy to answer: "who do others  say that I am?" It's always easy to report what others say, so the disciples are quick to give an answer to this first question. It's the second question that gets them. "Who do you  say that I am?" You can imagine the awkward silence that followed the question. Finally the boldest of the group spoke up, and I don't think it was with a wavering voice. Peter finally gets it: "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Jesus rewards Peter's bravery and correct answer with a new name: Petros - the Rock. What comes next has been the subject of oceans of ink: "on this rock - petra  - I will build my church." You can see the slight difference in the Greek words. Does this mean that Simon Peter is the rock that the church is built on, or is 'this rock' that Jesus refers to a different rock - perhaps Himself? But focusing on the slight variation in wording misses the point of this passage. Don't miss Jesus' huge promise here: " I will  build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." Peter plays an important role for sure in church history, but clearly the foundation, architect, builder and finisher of the Church is our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Dig Deeper Both the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) and Reformed churches agree on the opening words of our Confession here, that there is no salvation apart from the Church. But the two groups take very different paths in arriving at this conclusion. The RCC interpretation places the impetus in the Church, understanding the God will accept all that the Church has 'bound,' and reject all that she has 'loosed." Here's how their catechism puts it: The words bind and loose mean: whomever you exclude from your communion, will be excluded from communion with God; whomever you receive anew into your communion, God will welcome back into his. Reconciliation with the Church is inseparable from reconciliation with God. ( Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1445 ) Reformed Churches understand God to exercise sovereign dominion. The Church 'binds' those elected to salvation by as it carries out the ordinary means of grace (preaching, sacraments and discipline). In other words, the Church doesn't catch a person and drag him to God for salvation, rather, God draws those He's chosen to Him through the work of the Church. Those who reject the grace proclaimed by the Church are 'loosed.' If people separate themselves from the RCC, they're considered to have been 'loosed' from the Church and thus from salvation. But too often, Protestant Christians have too small of a view of the Church's authority, since God conceptually could save a person without the aid of the Church. Don't make that mistake. The Church is the very body of Christ, and it's the primary dispenser of the means of grace. You must submit yourself to it - in a real sense, let yourself be bound - by sitting under its preaching, participating in its sacraments, and submitting to its discipline. Therefore, there's no salvation apart from it. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who has established the Church in Christ, saving the elect through her preaching, sacraments and discipline; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that your love for Christ's Church will grow and that you'll fully submit yourself to it; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: 2 Corinthians 9

Even as western civilization crumbles, take heart—you're part of Christ's eternal Church. Isaiah 49:1-7 CONTEXT: This passage is one of four "Servant Songs" in the book of Isaiah that point forward to Christ. Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name. 2  He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. 3  He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.” 4  But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the LORD’s hand, and my reward is with my God.” 5  And now the LORD says— he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength— 6  he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” 7  This is what the LORD says— the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel— to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: “Kings will see you and stand up, princes will see and bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.” Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 27: The Holy Catholic Church We believe and confess one single catholic (universal) church— a holy congregation and gathering of true Christian believers, awaiting their entire salvation in Jesus Christ being washed by his blood, and sanctified and sealed by the Holy Spirit. This church has existed from the beginning of the world and will last until the end, as appears from the fact that Christ is eternal King who cannot be without subjects. And this holy church is preserved by God against the rage of the whole world, even though for a time it may appear very small in the eyes of men— as though it were snuffed out. For example, during the very dangerous time of Ahab the Lord preserved for himself seven thousand men who did not bend their knees to Baal. And so this holy church is not confined, bound, or limited to a certain place or certain persons. But it is spread and dispersed throughout the entire world, though still joined and united in heart and will, in one and the same Spirit, by the power of faith. Summary Just like in so many other passages, today we read that God's call in our lives precedes the moment we were born. God "forms in the womb" (v1, 5), or as Psalm 139:13 puts it, God knits people together. This is just one of the reasons Christians advocate to protect unborn children: they are God's handiwork! While God carefully constructs all people, the particular person being referred to here in Isaiah is special; He would be God's servant Israel who would display His splendor. Israel, of course, refers to God's covenant people. He had rescued them from slavery and established them in the promised land, with its flowing milk and honey. They were to be a holy nation, one set apart and distinct from the world around it. But ultimately, as children of Abraham, they had a bigger purpose: they were to be a "a light for the Gentiles, that God's salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (v6). But these chosen people, like all people, were stubborn and rebellious and never fulfilled God's intentions for them. And so, through His prophet Isaiah, God speaks of a new servant - a new Israel - who would come to "bring Jacob back to Him and gather Israel to Himself" (v5). This servant would of course be our Savior, the firstborn amongst many brothers, who would bring salvation to God's covenant people throughout the entire world. Dig Deeper Today our Confession speaks of the catholicity of the church, in that it "is not confined, bound, or limited to a certain place or certain persons. But it is spread and dispersed throughout the entire world..." We tend to think of the Church as being a European or North American concept, but the reality is that the Church is currently far bigger and stronger in parts of Asia and Africa than it is in the Americas! Just as the Church is not geographically bound, neither is it limited to a specific epoch in history. For many decades, many Christians came to a very mistaken conclusion that God has two distinct sets of chosen people: Israel, and the Church. But go back and look at our posts this past week about the Church and you'll notice that nearly every description of the Church that we looked at comes from the Old Testament! Certainly covenant people look different now than what they did thousands of years ago when they only lived in a small corner of the ancient near east, but all of the people whom God has gathered to Himself, from Adam on up, are members of the Church since they too are saved by God's grace made possible by Christ's atonement. It may seem disconcerting to see Western Civilization deteriorating so rapidly in our present context, but don't be pessimistic or downcast. You are a member of Christ's eternal Church, so remember the promise that God made to His servant - your Savior - long ago through Isaiah: This is what the LORD says— the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel— to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: “Kings will see you and stand up, princes will see and bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.” AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who gathers His people back to Him (v5); A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for the confidence that comes from knowing God has chosen you as part of His eternal covenant people; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: 2 Corinthians 8

It's easy to feel pessimistic about the Church, but be encouraged by God's powerful, yet gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19 CONTEXT: Elijah just witnessed God send fire from heaven. Elijah expected all of Israel to take notice that the LORD is God, not Baal, but nothing changed, and wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel were hunting him down. 3  Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4  while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my fathers.” 5  Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6  He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 7  The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8  So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9  There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10  He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 11  The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12  After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13  When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14  He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 15  The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16  Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17  Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18  Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 27: The Holy Catholic Church We believe and confess one single catholic (universal) church— a holy congregation and gathering of true Christian believers, awaiting their entire salvation in Jesus Christ being washed by his blood, and sanctified and sealed by the Holy Spirit. This church has existed from the beginning of the world and will last until the end, as appears from the fact that Christ is eternal King who cannot be without subjects. And this holy church is preserved by God against the rage of the whole world, even though for a time it may appear very small in the eyes of men— as though it were snuffed out. For example, during the very dangerous time of Ahab the Lord preserved for himself seven thousand men who did not bend their knees to Baal. And so this holy church is not confined, bound, or limited to a certain place or certain persons. But it is spread and dispersed throughout the entire world, though still joined and united in heart and will, in one and the same Spirit, by the power of faith. Summary Maybe you've heard the term before: Elijah syndrome. That's a condition that many of us, especially those of us who are theologically conservative, often fall into where we think that we're the only good solid church left and that everyone else has fallen away. Like Elijah, we tell God "I've had enough, LORD. Take me now." It's not hard to understand why Elijah felt this way. His hair was probably still slightly singed after seeing God's awesome display of fire consume his drenched altar. The prophets of Baal had been humiliated, having danced themselves into a frenzy, even cutting themselves in hopes of drawing Baal's attention, but unsurprisingly the fictional god was silent. Yet Israel didn't experience the mass revival Elijah had expected. Once again God had proved His might in a tangible way visible to everyone, but yet nobody's hearts seemed changed. You've probably felt the same loneliness & discouragement Elijah felt; It seems like so many of our friends and neighbors have rejected God's covenant, and that so many other churches have let go of the truth. Like Elijah, we often think we're the only ones left. Dig Deeper What a contrast in how God made Himself known! At Mount Carmel, God came down in a furious consuming fire. But here on a different mountain, Elijah experienced His presence in a far different way. There still were awesome displays of divine power: rock shattering wind, an earthquake, and then a fire. But God's presence was not in those phenomena. The LORD came to Elijah in the form of a gentle whisper in which He reminded His discouraged prophet that He had reserved 7,000 - a symbolically important round number - for Himself. And he sent Elijah back into the fray to continue paving the way for His Kingdom. So when you get discouraged about the state of the Church in the twenty-first century, remember the optimistic way our Confession describes how God continues to care for His Church the same way now: And this holy church is preserved by God against the rage of the whole world, even though for a time it may appear very small in the eyes of men— as though it were snuffed out... Just as He did during the very dangerous time of Ahab. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who mightily commands the elements and also meets us with a gentle whisper; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you'll be reminded of God's providential care of His Church the next time you feel pessimistic; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: 2 Corinthians 7

This chaotic world seeks to rip you from God; find refuge as a member of His Church. Psalm 46 (NIV) For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song. 1  God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3  though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 4  There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5  God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 6  Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. 7  The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 8  Come and see what the LORD has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9  He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10  He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11  The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 27: The Holy Catholic Church We believe and confess one single catholic (universal) church— a holy congregation and gathering of true Christian believers, awaiting their entire salvation in Jesus Christ being washed by his blood, and sanctified and sealed by the Holy Spirit. This church has existed from the beginning of the world and will last until the end, as appears from the fact that Christ is eternal King who cannot be without subjects. And this holy church is preserved by God against the rage of the whole world, even though for a time it may appear very small in the eyes of men— as though it were snuffed out. For example, during the very dangerous time of Ahab the Lord preserved for himself seven thousand men who did not bend their knees to Baal. And so this holy church is not confined, bound, or limited to a certain place or certain persons. But it is spread and dispersed throughout the entire world, though still joined and united in heart and will, in one and the same Spirit, by the power of faith. Summary Psalm 46 is familiar and well loved for a couple of reasons. One big reason that Psalm 46 resonates the way it does is because of how it accurately describes the chaos of our fallen world. There's trouble , as the whole world is collapsing into itself, earthquakes surge and shake, mountains fall into the heart of the sea , nations are in uproar and kingdoms fall. All of these poetic pictures this psalm paints stand in stark contrast to the order and beauty that God created the world to have. The Bible often explains the effects of sin upon God's good creation, but few passages pack the rhetorical power of Psalm 46 in describing what Adam's sin unleashed. But all of this verbal thunder is offset by the peaceful advice Psalm 46 provides. The three imperatives (commands) are nearly equally spaced throughout the poem: We will not fear (notice this imperative is phrased as an indicative!), Come and see what the LORD has done , and Be still and know that I am God. You can have the peace this psalm commands because it promises the almighty presence of God immanuel  - that is, God with us - even in the midst of the sin fueled chaos .  Our God is an ever-present help in trouble ; He is dwelling   within the holy city , so she will not fall . God's presence is reiterated in the psalm's two identical refrains: The LORD Almighty is with us... (v7 & 11). Dig Deeper You're likely reading this post in the middle of another work week, and this peaceful refuge that Psalm 46 promises probably seems so far away in the midst of the chaos all around you. But this city of God which will not fall is far closer than you may think. This city the psalmist writes of isn't a walled fortress located somewhere in Palestine, it's present wherever God's people meet to worship Him. It's the Church where God gathers, protects and preserves His people; the place which is well fed by the river of grace whose streams make glad the city [Church] of God. God is within His Church, she will not fall . No matter what the nations do in their uproar , no matter how many kingdoms fall around her, all our God must do is lift up His voice and the fallen earth will melt leaving nothing but His purified Church. This is why, in the most pivotal moment of Jesus' earthly ministry, He told Peter that He would build my Church and the gates of Hell will not overcome it (Matt. 16:18). As you navigate this chaotic, fallen world, do not fear; be still and know that He is God. You are secured forever as a member of the City of God: His Church. The Lord's Day is once again approaching. Come and see what the LORD has done. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: This world is trying to pull you away from God with all its chaotic might. Pray that you can be still and know the LORD is God; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: 2 Corinthians 6

The Church may not seem holy, but God remains faithful to her forever. Psalm 89:34-37(NIV) A maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite. 1  I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. 2  I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself. 3  You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, 4  ‘I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’ ” 30  “If his sons forsake my law and do not follow my statutes, 31  if they violate my decrees and fail to keep my commands, 32  I will punish their sin with the rod, their iniquity with flogging; 33  but I will not take my love from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness. 34  I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered. 35  Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness— and I will not lie to David— 36  that his line will continue forever and his throne endure before me like the sun; 37  it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.” Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 27: The Holy Catholic Church We believe and confess one single catholic (universal) church— a holy congregation and gathering of true Christian believers, awaiting their entire salvation in Jesus Christ being washed by his blood, and sanctified and sealed by the Holy Spirit. This church has existed from the beginning of the world and will last until the end, as appears from the fact that Christ is eternal King who cannot be without subjects. And this holy church is preserved by God against the rage of the whole world, even though for a time it may appear very small in the eyes of men— as though it were snuffed out. For example, during the very dangerous time of Ahab the Lord preserved for himself seven thousand men who did not bend their knees to Baal. And so this holy church is not confined, bound, or limited to a certain place or certain persons. But it is spread and dispersed throughout the entire world, though still joined and united in heart and will, in one and the same Spirit, by the power of faith. Summary Of all the traits and attributes of God, it's His everlasting faithfulness that stands out to this Psalmist here in the 89th Psalm. In the short selection we looked at, we read the word 'faithfulness' four times, which isn't a huge number in and of itself, but it's the way this faithfulness is described as eternal that really stands out. God's covenant faithfulness is described here as lasting "through all generations;" It "stands firm forever;" It's been "established... forever," and is "firm through all generations." God says that what He's established will "continue forever," and "will endure before Him like the sun." But history doesn't seem to agree with the claims the psalmist makes on God's behalf. The Davidic dynasty - this line that God said would continue forever - has been gone for thousands of years. It came to an unceremonious end at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar five centuries before Christ was born. So either Psalm 89 - and dozens of passages like it - is fake news and ought to be extracted from our Bibles, OR the "line of David" that God promised is something much bigger than a small ancient near eastern nation that's long gone. If you've been reading along with us for long, you know that it's the latter: Jesus Christ now sits on David's throne forever, and His people are no longer defined by arbitrary political borders, but comprise His holy catholic Church . God's everlasting covenant faithfulness persists. Dig Deeper For many, those familiar words - holy catholic Church - roll off the tongue so easily because they've been recited so often as part of the Apostles' Creed. Others of you hear them with more skeptical ears. Of all the ways the Church can be described, 'holy' might be the last word you'd pick. And if you're narrowly defining 'holy' as being free from from sin, then you're right, the Church is anything but Holy. But notice in v30-33 how God disciplines His Church in His everlasting covenant faithfulness. He "will punish their sin," even severely at times, "BUT He will never take His love from us nor will He ever betray His faithfulness." Just as it is in every other realm of life, an accurate understanding history is critical to an accurate understanding of reality. When you get to know church history, you'll see the ongoing story of God shepherding his wayward people, sometimes gently and sometimes aggressively, and you'll see that every time His Church wanders from His truth, He always brings reformation to it. You can have confidence that as a member of God's holy catholic Church , you're part of something much bigger than yourself; you're part of the everlasting line of David. Know that as such you will be held "firm through all generations." AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, whose love and faithfulness stands firm forever, through all generations; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that more and more you'll come to see yourself as a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven and member of God's holy catholic Church ; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: 2 Corinthians 5

You are, and always will be, a member of the catholic Church. Hebrews 12:18-24 (NIV) 18  You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19  to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20  because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”  21  The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”  22  But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23  to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24  to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 27: The Holy Catholic Church We believe and confess one single catholic (universal) church— a holy congregation and gathering of true Christian believers, awaiting their entire salvation in Jesus Christ being washed by his blood, and sanctified and sealed by the Holy Spirit. This church has existed from the beginning of the world and will last until the end, as appears from the fact that Christ is eternal King who cannot be without subjects. And this holy church is preserved by God against the rage of the whole world, even though for a time it may appear very small in the eyes of men— as though it were snuffed out. For example, during the very dangerous time of Ahab the Lord preserved for himself seven thousand men who did not bend their knees to Baal. And so this holy church is not confined, bound, or limited to a certain place or certain persons. But it is spread and dispersed throughout the entire world, though still joined and united in heart and will, in one and the same Spirit, by the power of faith. Summary Today's passage sets a stark contrast between two different types of God's covenant people. The first group, people who were biological children of Abraham, encountered God's presence as He descended upon a mountain in the wilderness as they fled slavery in Egypt. They saw fire, darkness, gloom and storms; they heard a deafening trumpet blast and a loud voice terrifying them as it spoke, so much so that they begged Moses to mediate between them and the Voice. Moses went up the mountain on their behalf, and came back with an arm load of laws and commands for his idolatrous people. But the second group - the group that you and I are part of: the Church, have a far different experience in approaching God. We've come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, alongside thousands of joyful angels. We too have a mediator, just like Moses had promised, but this One is different; He represents a new covenant. To be clear, all of God's people are members of the one covenant of grace, but the covenant has been progressively revealed in a way that sometimes makes it look different from one stage to the next. Whereas that assembly in the desert was given a set of laws that seemed impossible to keep, the Church has been given the One who kept God's law, and whose sprinkled blood speaks for all of God's people living in all times and all places. Dig Deeper The word church is one of our more useful words in English, in that we can use it to mean so many different things. We go to church, which could mean we go to a building used as a church, or it could refer to the worship service itself. Maybe some of you went to church in a campground this summer. We call our own gathering our church , but we could use the same term to a specific group of churches spread over a large area, such as the Christian Reformed Church . Paul would write letters to "the church in" Ephesus, Corinth, and other large cities, using a singular word to describe places with multiple gatherings. The word translated as 'church' in our English Bibles is ἐκκλησία ( ekklēsia ). The word literally means assembly , but it's built on the root word καλέω ( kaleō ), a verb that means to call. This is what the church is at its core: an assembly of people who've been called by God. We call the Church catholic , which means universal , because God's called people have been gathered over all times and places, going all the way back to Abel, who was mentioned in today's passage. The Heidelberg Catechism best describes what the Church is: I believe that the Son of God through his Spirit and Word, out of the entire human race, from the beginning of the world to its end, gathers, protects, and preserves for himself a community chosen for eternal life and united in true faith. And of this community I am and always will be a living member (QA 54). AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, the Judge of all; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that your primary identity will be as one who is a member of Christ's eternal Church; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: 2 Corinthians 4