Stranger and Pilgrim

Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.
Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad’s of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell. Continue reading

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If the topic of comfort in God’s sovereignty is breached, the discussion cannot be complete without looking to the Psalmists of old. So many of the psalms (27, 30, 34, 139, 142, and many, many others) focus on the comforts supplied by a reliance upon God’s providence. I think there is special value to singing these truths; hence the reason why the Holy Spirit chose to inspire them frequently throughout book of psalms.

Here is a short poem that I wrote this afternoon (for a close friend of mine). I have not put it to music; but like the psalmists, I find great delight in expressing the glorious comforts afforded by God’s sovereignty, in verse.

Too wise to err, too strong to fail
Too loving to cause a needless tear
His plan assuredly shall prevail
And by His grace you’ll persevere!

Confused at times by things unclear
We learn that we are dust and frail
Yet God by this will draw us near
And lift our eyes, our doubts to quail

When sorrow doth the soul assail
To this assurance we adhere
God’s love with power doth entail
The saving grace that draws us near

Take up courage, do not fear
Every ship through storms must sail
The waves are but a thin veneer
And depths beneath with blessings swell

Sorrows leave the soul distraught
And fears, they never seem to rhyme
But Christ with blood your joy has bought
Lay hold and grasp this paradigm

We will not always understand
Nor can we live without some pain
But God in Christ will hold your hand
And bring from ashes untold gain

So count it all as joy sublime
Expound His grace with every thought
The oceans of God’s love in time
Unfold to show the plan He’s wrought

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by Augustus Toplady (1740-1778)

Not unto us, o LORD, not unto us, but unto Thy Name, give glory for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake (Psalm 115:1).

Some expositors have supposed, that this Psalm was penned by the prophet Daniel; on occasion of the miraculous deliverance of Shadrac, Meshac, and Abednego, when they came out, unhurt, from the burning fiery furnace, into which they had been thrown by the command of king Nebuchadnezzar.

And, indeed, there are not wanting passages, in the Psalm itself, which seem to countenance this conjecture. As where we read, at the fourth verse (speaking of the idols of the heathens, and, perhaps, with particular reference to that golden image which Nebuchadnezzar commanded to be worshipped), their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands: they have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they but they see not.

I dare say, that, in such an auditory as this, a number of Arminians are present. I fear, that all our public assemblies have too many of them. Perhaps, however, even these people, idolaters as they are, may be apt to blame, and, indeed, with justice, the absurdity of those who worship idols of silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. But let me ask: If it be so very absurd, to worship the work of other men’s hands; what must it be, to worship the works of our own hands? Perhaps, you may ask, “God forbid that I should do so.” Nevertheless, let me tell you, that trust, confidence, reliance, and dependence, for salvation, are all acts and very solemn ones too, of divine worship: and upon whatsoever you depend, whether in whole or in part, for your acceptance with God, and for your justification in His sight, whatsoever, you rely upon, and trust in, for the attainment of grace or glory; if it be any thing short of God in Christ, you are an idolater to all intents and purposes. Continue reading

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“The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.” Jeremiah 18:1-6

No doctrine can afford greater comfort to a child of God; than the doctrine of God’s omnipotent sovereignty. No truth brings more joy to the heart of a believer, than to know that his (or her) father reigns in full control.

It is only by Grace that we can see and embrace these truths; and only by mercy that we can find comfort in them. We live in a culture of pride and self-confidence; so from time to time, we must “arise, and go down to the potter’s house.” There we will see God’s greatness and sovereignty as He molds vessels of honor, and vessels of dishonor, all for His own awesome glory!

God is not playing with modeling clay;
He makes no hobby of men;
He doesn’t purpose to use them one day,
Then, think it over again!

Clay, is the Potter’s vocation –
Working the stubborn clod –
Clay, is the Potter’s vocation!
Clay, is the business of God!

Clay, is the Potter’s vocation;
The vessel, the Potter’s will.
There are no risks! The spinning discs
Reveal the Potter’s skill!

He’s making a New Creation!
His Wisdom is on display!
Behold, in the molding, His Image unfolding!
He’s breathing His life in clay!

Clay, is the Potter’s vocation!
No detail, left to chance.
All things combine, toward His design
His masterpiece to enhance.

He’s making a New Creation
And where it appears most weak
The clay will discover, its infinite Lover
Has made it the most unique!

I didn’t write this poem; I found it online without any author or source.

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