Tried With Fire

"Hallowed be Thy name" Matthew 6:9 By praying, "hallowed be Thy name," we beg that God, who is most holy and glorious, might enable us to acknowledge and honor Him as such. As Manton forcefully expressed it, In this petition the glory of God is both desired and promised on our part; for every prayer is both an expression of a desire and also an implicit vow or solemn obligation that we take upon ourselves to prosecute what we ask. Prayer is a preaching to ourselves in God’s hearing: we speak to God to warn ourselves—not for His information, but for our edification.  (Thomas Manton) For us to hallow or sanctify His name means that we give God the supreme place, that we set Him above all else in our thoughts, affections, and lives. This high purpose of life is antithetical to the example of the builders of the tower of Babel, who said, "Let us make us a name (Gen. 11:4), and of Nebuchadnezzar, who said, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built...

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.   Matthew 5:10-12 The Lord Jesus here pronounced blessed or happy those who, through devotion to Him, would be called upon to suffer. They are blessed because such are given the unspeakable privilege of having fellowship in the sufferings of the Savior (Phil. 3:10). They are blessed because such "tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed" (Rom. 5:3-5). They are blessed because they shall be fully recompensed in the great Day to come. Here is rich comfort indeed. Let not the soldier of the cross be dismayed because the fiery darts of the wicked one are hurled ...

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" Matthew 5:9 The believer in Christ knows that there is no peace for the wicked. Therefore, he earnestly desires that they should acquaint themselves with God and be at peace (Job 22:21). Believers know that peace with God is only through our Lord Jesus Christ (Col. 1:19, 20). For this reason we speak of Him to our fellow men as the Holy Spirit leads us to do so. Our feet are "shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace" (Eph. 6:15); thus we are equipped to testify to others concerning the grace of God. Of us it is said, "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" (Rom. 10:15). All such are pronounced blessed by our Lord. They cannot but be blessed. Next to the enjoyment of peace in our own souls must be our delight in bringing others also (by God’s grace) to enter into this peace. In its wider application, t...

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.  Matthew 5:8 This spiritual purity that God demands penetrates far beyond the mere outward renovations and reformations that comprise such a large part of the efforts now being put forth in Christendom! Much that we see around us is a hand religion—seeking salvation by works—or a head religion that rests satisfied with an orthodox creed. But God "looketh on the heart" (1 Sam. 16:7), that is, He looks upon the whole inner being, including the understanding, the affections, and the will. It is because God looks within that He must give a " new heart" (Ezek. 36:26) to His own people and blessed indeed are they who have received such, for it is a pure heart that is acceptable to the Giver. As intimated above, we believe that this sixth Beatitude contemplates both the new heart received at regeneration and the transformation of character that follows God’s work of grace in the soul. First, there is a "washi...

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 The mercifulness of our text is the product of the new nature implanted by the Holy Spirit in the child of God. It is called into exercise when we contemplate the wondrous grace, pity, and longsuffering of God toward such unworthy wretches as ourselves. The more I ponder God’s sovereign mercy to me, the more I shall think of the unquenchable fire from which I have been delivered through the sufferings of the Lord Jesus. The more conscious I am of my indebtedness to Divine grace, the more mercifully I shall act toward those who wrong, injure, and hate me. Mercifulness is one of the attributes of the spiritual nature that one receives at the new birth. Mercifulness in the child of God is but a reflection of the abundant mercy that is found in his heavenly Parent. Mercifulness is one of the natural and necessary consequences of a merciful Christ indwelling us. It may not always be exercised; it may at times be stifled ...

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6 Hungering and thirsting expresses vehement desire, of which the soul is acutely conscious. First, the Holy Spirit brings before the heart the holy requirements of God. He reveals to us His perfect standard, which He can never lower. He reminds us that "except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter the Kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:20). Second, the trembling soul, conscious of his own abject poverty and realizing his utter inability to measure up to God's requirements, sees no help in himself. This painful discovery causes him to mourn and groan. Have you done so? Third, the Holy Spirit then creates in the heart a deep "hunger and thirst" that causes the convicted sinner to look for relief and to seek a supply outside of himself. The believing eye is then directed to Christ, who is "THE L...

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth . Matthew 5:5 Man wants to have a hand in his salvation. To be told that God will receive nought from him, that salvation is solely a matter of divine mercy, that eternal life is only for those who come empty-handed to receive it solely as a matter of charity , is offensive to the self-righteous religionist. But not to the one who is poor in spirit and who mourns over his vile and wretched state. The very word mercy is music to his ears. Eternal life as God's free gift suits his poverty-stricken condition. Grace - the sovereign favor of God to the hell-deserving - is just what he feels he must have! Such a one no longer has any thought of justifying himself in his own eyes; all his haughty objections against God's benevolence are now silenced. He is glad to own himself a beggar and bow in the dust before God. The Beatitudes and the Lord's Prayer , A.W. Pink, Baker Book House, 1982, pg. 26-27.

Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4 By these words, Christ refers primarily to the removal of the guilt that burdens the conscience. This is accomplished by the Spirit's application of the Gospel of God's grace to one whom He has convicted of his dire need of a Savior. The result is a sense of free and full forgiveness through the merits of the atoning blood of Christ. This divine comfort is "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding" (Phil. 4:7), filling the heart of the one who is now assured he is "accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6). God wounds before healing, and abases before He exalts.  First there is a revelation of His justice and holiness, then the making known of His mercy and grace. The Beatitudes and the Lord's Prayer , A.W. Pink, Baker Book House, 1982, pg. 20-21.

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Matt. 5:3 He who is in possession of this poverty of spirit is pronounced blessed : because he now has a disposition that is the very reverse of that which was his by nature; because he possesses the first sure evidence that a Divine work of grace has been wrought within him; because such a spirit causes him to look outside of himself for true enrichment; because he is an heir of the Kingdom of heaven. The Beatitudes and the Lord's Prayer , A.W. Pink, Baker Book House, 1982, pg. 13

Today is election day. I have probably prayed more for this election than any previous race in my adult life. I am very concerned for this country. Very concerned.  It's tempting to vent, but enough ink and bandwidth has already been spent by folks who are more articulate and knowledgeable. I'm going to cast my vote today and continue to pray. But as I exercise my right as an American citizen and wait for the returns tonight, here is something I need to remember not just today but every single day: Who is regulating affairs on this earth today- God, or the Devil? What saith the Scriptures? If we believe their plain and positive declarations, no room is left for uncertainty. They affirm, again and again, that God is on the throne of the universe; that the sceptre is in His hands; that He is directing all things "after the counsel of His own will." They affirm, not only that God created all things, but also that God is ruling and reigning over all the works of His ...

From An   Exposition of Hebrews  by A.W. Pink on Hebrews 10:24 ~ "And let us consider one another:" let us diligently bear in mind and continually have in view the good of our fellow-pilgrims. The term "consider" is very emphatic, being the same as in 3:1, where we  are bidden to "Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession Christ Jesus." Here it signifies conscientious care and circumspection over the spiritual estate and welfare of other Christians. They are brethren and sisters in Christ, members of the same family: a tie far nearer and dearer than any earthly one unites you to them and them to you. "Consider" not only their blessed relation to you, but also their circumstances, their trials, their temptations, their infirmities, their needs. Seek grace to be of service, of  help, of blessing to them. Remember that they have their conflicts too, their discouragements their falls: "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down a...

My daughter received a birthday card with a quote from a popular Christian author which stated, God has placed His hand on your shoulder and said, "You're something special."    Maybe I'm overreacting (I tend to do that), but my first reaction was that this is the perfect blend of Veggie Tales and Robert Schuller.  This isn't to speak ill of the friend who sent the card.  She's not a critical, wet-blanket Calvinist like me, so she probably thought it was just a nice card.  But this statement is a perfect example of the prevalent sweet-as-saccharine-and-just-about-as-nutritious sentimentality that passes for the love of God. Sadly, there's a view that God is so enamored with mankind that He is desperate to have a relationship with us.  He'd do anything for us, and depending on who is preaching, He'll give us whatever we want. There's nothing God likes more than to forgive, and He forgives whether we repent or not. God exists to please man, n...

The Lord knows what is best for each one of us, and one effect of resting in this truth will be the silencing of our petulant complainings.  God is greatly honored when, under trial and chastening, we have good thoughts of Him, vindicate His wisdom and justice, and recognize his love in His very rebukes. Apprehension of this blessed truth will beget increasing confidence in God.  "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator" (1 Peter 4:19).  When we trustfully resign ourselves, and all our affairs into God's hands, fully persuaded of His love and faithfulness, the sooner shall we be satisfied with His providences and realize that "He doeth all things well." The Attributes of God ~ A.W. Pink, Baker, page 56.

Because God is holy, acceptance with him on the ground of creature-doings is utterly impossible.  A fallen creature could sooner create a world than produce that which would meet the approval of infinite Purity.  Can darkness dwell with Light?  Can the Immaculate One take pleasure in "filthy rags" (Is. 64:6)?  The best that sinful man brings forth is defiled.  A corrupt tree cannot bear good fruit.  God would deny Himself, vilify His perfections, were He to account as righteous and holy that which is not so in itself; and nothing is so which has the least stain upon it contrary to the nature of God.  But blessed be His name, that which His holiness demands His grace has provided in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Every poor sinner who has fled to Him for refuge stands "accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6) Hallelujah! The Attributes of God ~ A.W. Pink, Baker, page 45.

Herein is solid comfort.  Human nature cannot be relied upon; but God can!  However unstable I may be, however fickle my friends may prove, God changes not.  If He varied as we do, if He willed one thing today and another tomorrow, if He were controlled by caprice, who could confide in Him?  But, all praise to His glorious name, He is ever the same.  His purpose is fixed, His will is stable, His word is sure.  Here then is a rock on which we may fix our feet, while the mighty torrent is sweeping everything around us.  The permanence of God's character guarantees the fulfillment of His promise: "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed: but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee" (Isaiah 54:10). The Attributes of God  by A.W. Pink, Baker, page 39.

To deny the Divine decrees would be to predicate a world and all its concerns regulated by undesigned chance or blind fate.  Then what peace, what assurance, what comfort would there be for our poor hearts and minds?  What refuge would there be to fly to in the hour of need and trial? None at all.  There would be nothing better than the black darkness and abject horror of atheism.  O my reader, how thankful should we be that everything is determined by infinite wisdom and goodness!  What praise and gratitude are due unto God for His Divine decrees.  It is because of them that "we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" (Rom 8:28).  Well may we exclaim, "For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever.  Amen" (Rom. 11:36). The Attributes of God ~ A.W. Pink, Baker, page 16.

Love is the Queen of the Christian graces. It is a holy disposition given to us when we are born again by God. It is the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. True spiritual love is characterized by meekness and gentleness, yet it is vastly superior to the courtesies and kindnesses of the flesh. We must be careful not to confuse human sentimentality, carnal pleasantries, human amiability and affability with true spiritual love. The love God commands, first to Himself and then to others, is not human love. It is not the indulgent, self-seeking love which is in us by nature. If we indulgently allow our children to grow up with little or, no Scriptural discipline, Proverbs plainly says we do not love them, regardless of the human sentimentality and affection we may feel for them. Love is not a sentimental pampering of one another with a loose indifference as to our walk and obedience before the Lord. Glossing over one another's faults to ingratiate ourselves in the...