2/25/24:
Psalm 18 Devotional:

Psalm 18: 1 This Psalm is the first beginning of his gratulation, and thanksgiving in the entering into his kingdom, wherein he extolleth and praiseth most highly the marvelous mercies and grace of God, who hath thus preserved and defended him. 32 Also he setteth forth the image of Christ’s kingdom, that the faithful may be assured that Christ shall always conquer and overcome by the unspeakable power of his Father, though all the whole world should strive there against.

To him that excelleth. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord, which spake unto the Lord the words of this song (in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul) and said,

18:1 I will love thee dearly, O Lord, my strength.

2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, and my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of wicked men made me afraid.

5 The cords of the grave compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.

6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

Previously we noted a special expression of David here resolving to love the Lord, honoring Him with the titles befitting His majesty. For truly we cannot offer to God the worship and adoration He requires of us unless our hearts are fully inclined to it, elevated by meditation upon His superlative goodness. Thus David remembering the wonderful works of God towards him in delivering him from all his enemies and exalting him to the throne of Israel breaks forth in praise and adoration, displaying his ardent affection for God and unfeigned thankfulness. Important also to note is David’s resolution to call upon God in future troubles, declaring that He was worthy to be praised who saved him and doth ever continue to save His people, bearing their infirmities and supplying them with grace. And so he saith, “I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” Showing that the saints do not call upon God only once or twice but during the whole course of their life, inasmuch as many dangers and trials befall us, as well as many victories and successes which warrant praise. See also that David exclaims that God is worthy to be praised, and that He calls upon Him knowing that He is worthy is an essential element of being heard. For if we pray with a doubtful mind or in unbelief, God will not hear or deliver us, seeing that He is repulsed by such impudent atheism. And we also are all too blockish when we don’t feel His present care for us, even in the midst of adversity. Yea, we ought to thank Him in all things and patiently wait for deliverance knowing certainly that He will make all things turn to our good even out of the most dire circumstances. Indeed God is most glorified in our eyes when He overcomes the greatest obstacles and shines the light of His favor upon us in dense darkness, so that we ought to wonder with amazement at our own blindness and obstinacy when we do not the more praise and bless Him through and in our trials, but instead repine and murmur at hard providences. Therefore up, dropping soul, up you downed disposition. For God is ever faithful to His, and whatsoever befalls us that appears to be burdensome is but the means to sanctify and purify us, adding to more freedom and joy. And this condition is closely to be noted, as the apostle also says, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed with the wind. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” Therefore whatsoever we ask of Him, let us ask in faith, knowing that He has already given us a kingdom in His Son, and how much more the trivial things in this life, if it be for our benefit and comfort? But if He grant it not, be not amazed, for it is better for us to suffer in this life than to be condemned with the wicked. Yet He will certainly not grant our request if we be faithless and believe not that He is willing and able to abound towards us in all blessing, as a loving and gracious Father. Therefore as David, let us be resolved to call upon Him who is worthy to be praised, so shall we be saved from our enemies.

Geneva,
None can obtain their requests of God, that join not His glory with their petition.

Thomas Watson,
We aim at God’s glory, when we are content that God’s will should take place, though it may cross ours. Lord, I am content to be a loser, if thou be a gainer; to have less health, if I have more grace, and thou more glory. Let it be food or bitter physic if thou givest it me. Lord, I desire that which may be most for thy glory. Our blessed Saviour said, ‘Not as I will, but as thou wilt.’ Matt 26: 39. If God might have more glory by his sufferings, he was content to suffer. John 12: 28. ‘Father, glorify thy name.’… A good Christian argues thus: It is God that has put me in this condition; he could have raised me higher, if he pleased, but that might have been a snare to me: he has done it in wisdom and love; therefore I will sit down satisfied with my condition. Surely this glorifies God much; God counts himself much honoured by such a Christian. Here, says God, is one after mine own heart; let me do what I will with him, I hear no murmuring, he is content. This shows abundance of grace. When grace is crowning, it is not so much to be content; but when grace is conflicting with inconveniences, then to be content is a glorious thing indeed. For one to be content when he is in heaven is no wonder; but to be content under the cross is like a Christian. This man must needs bring glory to God; for he shows to all the world, that though he has little meal in his barrel, yet he has enough in God to make him content: he says, as David, Psa 16: 5, ‘The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance; the lines are fallen to me in pleasant places.’

Therefore lifting up our hearts unto God to whom along belongs the glory, and honoring Him for His matchless love to our souls, let us come before Him in prayer and worship, hearkening to His word and awaiting grace in the preaching of it. 

Lectures on “the Preface to the Westminster Confession by Thomas Manton.”

Lesson 8. The substance of our doctrine is everlasting life. Part 1.
Knowledge, Faith, Doctrine.

Would parents but begin betimes, and labour to affect the hearts of their children with the great matters of everlasting life, and to acquaint them with the substance of the doctrine of Christ… Intro. God is everlasting and created man for fellowship with Himself.

1. We exhort to spiritual knowledge because ignorance is death. Prov. 1-2, 8:32-36
2. We insist on the necessity of faith because unbelief is death. Acts, 4:8-12, John 3
3. We insist on correct doctrine because heresy and error is death. 2 Pet. 3:15-16, Rom. 9

Conclusion.

YouTube Audio: https://youtu.be/6uea3vEyGno