Devotion, Devotion, Devotion
Over the years, I have had the joy of asking Christians from a wide-range of backgrounds a simple question - tell me about your walk with the Lord. Surprisingly enough, the most faithful are those who follow a most simple pattern - a daily devotional life. We might expect that great growth in godliness would require great feats of faith or reading tomes upon tomes of obscure theological points; however, this is not the pattern given to us in Scripture. The simple pattern which has proven most effective can be found in Psalm 1: “His delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.” Easy, right? Well, kind of. What do we do when we do not understand what we are reading? How do we do this with our family? What should we do when we find our affections cooled? Let’s take those questions in turn.
What do we do when we do not understand what we read? Not even the most theologically astute pastor will understand everything he reads at first glance. Bible knowledge is accrued by consistent reading and consistent practice, and both of these take time. However, tools are available to help with Bible reading. The best tool is Reformation Heritage’s Family Worship Bible Guide (FWBG). This small book contains a brief point on every chapter in the Bible along with a brief exhortation. While reading Matthew 28 and the Great Commission, one could also read the FWBS which says,
Christ has all authority in heaven and on earth. Neither demons nor any earthly power can stop the expansion of His kingdom. He claims people from every nation for His disciples, having bought them with His blood. He has commissioned His church to make disciples of all nations, beginning with the apostles and continuing today. His great means are the law, the gospel, and the ordinances of worship commanded in His Word. His promise is His abiding presence with His church by His Spirit. How should these truths press upon the conscience of the church its duty to reach the world with the truth of Christ? How can these truths encourage the church to do its mission with hope, confidence, and perseverance? What do these truths teach us about the methods that the church should use to faithfully fulfill its mission?
These brief explanations and exhortations aim to provoke the head and heart as we daily encounter God in His Word.
How do we do this with our family? Along with the FWBG, Joel Beeke has published a brief booklet titled Family Worship. His aim is to address the benefits, objections, and practical details of family worship. Let’s be honest - we need this! How many of us were raised in a family where the Bible was read? How many of us are timid when it comes to reading and praying together? Beeke aims to take off the edge by providing a wide range of options for married couples, couples with children, and those later in life. When we worship together, the aim is not to be fanciful; the aim is to be faithful as we daily encounter God in His Word as a family.
What should we do when we find our affections cooled? Each of us go through seasons of dryness in our devotional life. This is not something to be embarrassed about, nor does it make one an inferior Christian. However, the situation needs to be remedied before it grows worse! But how? Seasons of the Heart and Drawing Near to the Heart of God take us down to still waters and green pastures alongside Christians of old. These two devotionals provide one page of reading a day, geared toward engaging the heart through the pens of those who walked with God before us. Seasons of the Heart is drawn primarily from the writings of 18th and 19th century women, while Drawing Near to the Heart of God draws rich writings from men of a similar period. Touching the greatness of God, the beauty of Christ, the presence of the Spirit, and the wonders of creation, providence, and redemption - these two devotionals refresh the soul like the morning dew.
So, tell me about your walk with the Lord. How is it? If your walk needs a little pep in its step, consider these three tools as ways of refreshing your daily devotional life. You can purchase these books by clicking the links in the article.
