February 25^th 2024

9:30 am ----------------------------------------------. An Altar of Earth & Stone – Exodus 20:18-26

10:00 am ------------------------------------ Hope & Rejoicing in God’s Word & Works – Psalm 33

“ To the Hungry Soul Every Bitter Thing is Sweet.”-- Proverbs 27:7

Afflictions, trials, and sorrows are very bitter things. And they must needs be bitter, for God never meant that they should be otherwise. When he takes the rod, it is to make it felt; and when he brings trouble on his children, it is that they may smart under it. Our text therefore does not, I believe, mean that the “bitter thing” is sweet when it is taken, for then it would cease to be bitter; but it is sweet on account of the blessed nourishment that is brought to the soul out of it. I remember reading, many years ago, the travels of Franklin to the North Pole. There is one incident mentioned in it which just strikes my mind. In wandering over the snows of the polar regions there was no food to be got for days and weeks, except a lichen or kind of moss that grew upon the rocks, and that moss was so exceedingly bitter that it could only be eaten with the greatest disgust; and yet upon that Franklin and his companions lived. They had no alternative; they must either eat that or die. But that bitter moss became sweet after it had passed their palates; for it had a nutriment in it which kept their bodies alive. And thus many of God’s people, who have endured the most dreadful trials, have afterwards found nutriment to spring out of them. What bitter things are God’s reproofs and rebukes in the conscience! And yet who would be without them? I appeal to you who fear God, would you deliberately choose never to experience God’s disapproval, and never feel His frowns of anger at any time when you go wrong? I believe in my conscience that you whose hearts are tender in God’s fear would say, “Lord, let me have thy frowns; for if I have not thy frowns and a conscience to feel them, what sins should I not recklessly plunge into? Where would not my wicked nature carry me, if I had not the solemn reproofs!” These very rebukes then become sweet, not in themselves, nor at the time, but because of the solid profit that comes out of them. – J.C. Philpot

“But Thomas . . . Was Not With Them”– John 20:24

Most everyone knows the story of ‘doubting Thomas’, how he was not with the other disciples when the Lord first appeared after His resurrection. Why Thomas was not with them we do not know. But obviously he was doing other things, with other people. He was not gathered with the other disciples, but was with his family or former friends. He had quickly forgotten all that the Lord had said and done and was now at home or some other place, taken up with the cares and concerns of this world; or perhaps he was just alone with his own troubles and problems. At any rate, he was not with them and therefore did not hear and see Christ as the other disciples did. The other disciples, being together, heard and saw the glorified Christ and were filled with joy and happiness, while Thomas sat at home, or wherever, filled with doubts, fears, worries, troubles and anxiety. The other disciples, who missed Thomas and were worried about him, said to him, “we have seen the Lord.” But Thomas didn’t believe. He wasn’t with them to hear and see the Lord. Thank God He was merciful to Thomas and brought him back together with the other disciples and then Thomas (once again) heard and saw Christ, believed and worshipped. Tell me, is it ever so with you?

For whatever reason, some are not with us (the disciples) when we meet to worship, hear God’s Word and see Christ’s glory. Sometimes there are unavoidable things that keep someone from gathering with us, but sometimes no real excuse can be given. Whatever the reason, the person who is missing has truly missed a blessing (read Jonah 2:8). And during that time away, I don’t doubt that the missing person is full of doubts, fears, worries and troubles, while those who are hearing the blessed Word, are being filled with faith, peace, joy and comfort; their fears and troubles diminishing.

We live by faith and faith cometh by hearing. Faith is also strengthened by hearing the Word. Like eating food; with every meal we are nourished and health is maintained; but to miss several meals is detrimental to the health, yea positive proof of poor health. Even so, hunger is a sign of spiritual health. “Blessed (happy) are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness.” Blessed, happy, because . . . “they shall be filled.” And food is most enjoyed with others. Have you ever enjoyed good food and later tried to tell someone about it? Leftovers are never as good, nor is a warmed over recorded message. Just as there is something special about sitting around a table with those you love, enjoying good food, drink and conversation; it is very special, yea the Lord Himself is present, when His people gather around the table of His Word. You mothers, is there ever a time when one of your children misses a meal that you think, ‘O well, she can eat another time’? No, never! especially if you have prepared a wholesome and delicious meal, one you know they need and love. You want them at the table, every time, with you and the whole family. It is doubly so with the man who prepares a message, thinking: ‘This is good and good for them . . . they need this . . . they will love this . . . this will be a blessing . . . this will increase their faith . . . this will give them comfort and joy .’ If that man is prayerful and earnest in preparation, he will be thinking, ‘This could be the one . . . this could be the message the Lord will use for _________ , for their salvation, help, hope and peace.