The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

Proverbs 16:31-33

MERCY NOT MERIT

“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight” (Matthew 11:25-26).

His mercy is not moved by any good in us, neither is it kept back by our undeservings; for neither our merit, nor our misery, can be said to have had any hand in disposing the purposes of His sovereign will towards us. That the Lord hath taken occasion from our misery, to magnify the abounding riches of his mercy, is true; but then his mercy was before our misery, and his own everlasting love the sole cause of our blessedness in Christ, therefore our Lord’s own words are most blessed in point: “Even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight!”

Robert Hawker

A Heart Of Thanksgiving

Psalm 40:5

I recently read that somewhere, years ago in New England, there was a day of fasting each month to mourn over the sins of the land. At last, some pub­lic official suggested that, instead of the day of mourning each month, they should appoint a feast and thank God for the mercies and blessings which He had given.

I was deeply convicted and strongly impressed by this article. Do we dwell on our troubles and trials so much that we forget to give thanks for our bless­ings? Instead of counting our blessings, we exag­gerate our misfortunes. Instead of praising God for many friends, our minds dwell on two or three conten­tious persons who wish us evil. Instead of talking about our years of good health, we discuss our hours of pain. Instead of rejoicing in our obedient and loving children, we complain about our prodigals. It is good to fast, mourn over sin, and to take our bur­dens to the Lord; but it is right to LEAVE THEM THERE!

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones." I plan to take this exhortation seriously and lift both my heart and voice to Him Who is the fountain of all mercies. His mercies far outweigh His chastisements. David said, "Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts which are to us-ward. They cannot be reckoned up in order unto Thee. If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered" (Psalm 40:5).

John Newton once wrote, "Lord, if I have not loved Thee before, let me begin today." Today is a good day to love Him, thank Him, and praise Him. Let this be "The day of beginning again."

Pastor Henry Mahan (1982)

THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH AND REPENTANCE

Paul, when giving his farewell words to the faithful elders of Ephesus reminded them of his ministry when he first came among them. He said, "Serving the Lord with humility of mind, keeping back nothing that was profitable, preaching to the Jew and to the gentile repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 20:20-21).

Consider for a moment how important faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance toward God is. Our Lord said, "except that you repent you shall perish" (Mark 13:1-5). Again He said, "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Heb. 11:6). What does the scripture teach us about faith and repentance? Here are seven things to remember.

1). Both faith and repentance are sovereign gifts of God given to the sinner (Acts 5:29-31; 11:18; Eph. 2:8-9; Phi. 1:29).

2). Both faith and repentance are the commands of God (Acts 17:3-29-31; 1John 3:23).

3). Both faith and repentance own, bow, believe and submit to the true Lord Jesus Christ, the true and living God and His gospel (2Tim. 2:25; Titus 1:1).

4). Both faith and repentance are not isolated experiences of the believer, but rather a life-long state of being that is both powerful, permanent and perpetual. (John 5:24; Heb. 12:2; 1Pet. 2:4).

5). Both faith and repentance are not the ground or cause of our salvation but rather the fruit of life in Christ Jesus (Gal. 5:22; 1John 5:1).

6). Both faith and repentance come together at the same time not apart from each other. Where you find a broken and repentant heart you find a believing heart. Read these testimonies from the word (Psa. 51: 1-10; Rom. 7:18-24; Phil. 3:7-9).

7). As repentance grows so does faith. As faith grows so does repentance. The deeper our conviction of sin, the greater our esteem of Christ, who put away our sin (Heb. 9:26). The deeper our faith grows in Christ, as we see more of His beauty (S. Sol. 5:26), the more we see the repulsiveness of our own depravity (Isa. 6:5; Job 42:5-6; 1Tim. 1:15).