The Pilgrim Path---First John 2: 17

And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

ABIDES FOREVER…

The time we have in this world is short. The hope is, from a Gospel perspective, that the Holy Spirit will get a hold of you---and you will give yourself to what will last. Many people do not. I worked with a dear man that took me to a local prison for two and a half years. He could have been doing many things. He decided to pour himself into trustees every Tuesday evening. It made a great impact in their lives---and in my life as well. He also poured himself into our men’s work at our church. Quite a few men responded. Some took no notice at all. The men that did---were strengthened in our most Holy faith. He gave of his time, talent, and personal resources---at almost every opportunity that was available. He is hard to forget. He was one of those individuals that was at church whenever the door was open (I mean every service). He was not there to be seen---he simply loved the LORD Jesus Christ and wanted to know more about Him. He would even bring guests. He looked for things “to do” before anyone asked him “to do” anything. He knew “forever” mattered---and that you might as well serve the LORD with gladness. My---my, he led in ways he did not even know he was leading. He---who would be chief among you---should be servant of ALL! May the gracious LORD add to His number daily---thereby blessing souls---and bringing His Name Great Glory!

From Thomas Manton: What do you esteem, the world or heaven, things present or things promised? What is your heart most taken with? We toil for matters of the world: we rise up early, go to bed late, eat the bread of sorrow and all for a little wealth. We think nothing of the hardest labors to accomplish our worldly delights. Then consider prayer, reading, meditation, and worship: how difficult are these? How soon we cry out, what a weariness is this? A little duty is spent with a great deal of murmuring. Does this not speak of unbelief? “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich towards God” (Luke 12: 21). There is a wide and noticeable difference between things temporal and eternal, and so there should be in our pursuit after them. If a prince promised you a temporal inheritance, oh how you would rest content with such a conveyance. But God in covenant has made a formal compact to us in the great blessings of the gospel, and yet how little are our hearts satisfied with it. O how we are full of doubtings! If I had such great promises from an able and faithful man, would I not be more cheerful and bear up upon these hopes? But I have these promises from God, and he cannot lie!

From Richard Sibbes: A man’s sanctified soul does not take delight in the times, currents, and opinions of the age. He does not seek the course rising to preferment, the getting of riches, or the attaining of an imaginary happiness (Phil. 3: 18-19). He has other thoughts and opinions. The Spirit of God boils in him to live contrary to this world…

From John Duncan: It is not the entire man frequently that the world hates---it is the new-born man…his union to Christ, his faith in Christ, his love to Christ, his devotion to Christ…

From Thomas Watson: Walking closely with God in obedience gives a secret joy in the soul. If anything will make our pillow easy at death, it will be that we have endeavored to do God’s will on earth. Did you ever hear anyone cry on their death-bed---“I have done God’s will too much?” No! If we are not doers of God’s will, we shall be looked upon as despisers of his will. To disobey is to slight and scorn him. Doing God’s will is both your comfort and your crown.

HYMN

The sands of time are sinking, the dawn of heaven breaks,

The summer morn I’ve sighed for, the fair sweet morn awakes;

Dark, dark hath been the midnight, but dayspring is at hand,

And glory, glory dwelleth in Emmanuel’s land.

O Christ, he is the fountain, the deep sweet well of love!

The streams on earth I’ve tasted more deep I’ll drink above.

There to an ocean fullness his mercy doth expand,

The Lamb is all the glory of Emmanuel’s land.

The bride eyes not her garment, but her dear bridegroom’s face;

I will not gaze at glory, but on my King of grace;

Not at the crown he gifteth, but on his pierced hand;

The Lamb is all the glory of Emmanuel’s land.

Anne R. Cousin, 1857 / Based upon Samuel Rutherford, 1600-1661

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason