Category: Devotionals

“Of Whom I am the Worst”, John Newton and Amazing Grace

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Devotionals, Quotes2 Comments

John Newton’s hymn “Amazing Grace” was written from personal experience, for Newton himself was among the worst of sinners. At the age of eleven, he took to the sea, where he had many adventures: he was press-ganged into the navy; he was captured and flogged for desertion; he despaired almost to the point of suicide. Eventually, Newton became a slave-trader, a hard and wretched man. But he was shown mercy. As he feared for his life in stormy seas, he threw himself on the grace of God, which he found in abundance. Later he testified, “How wonderful is the love of God in giving his Son to die for such wretches!”

Even after he was saved, Newton continued to confess his need of God’s amazing grace. He wrote in one of his letters, “In defiance of my best judgment and best wishes, I find something within me which cherishes and cleaves to those evils, from which I ought to start and flee, as I should if a toad or a serpent was put in my food or in my bed. Ah! how vile must the heart (at least my heart) be.” Newton did not despair, however. Before closing the letter, he quoted Paul’s words to Timothy: “I embrace it as a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.”

Every Christian knows how to complete Newton’s quotation in the quietness of a believing heart: “of whom I am the worst.”

Question for Reflection

  1. Do you see yourself as the worst of sinners?

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This post is an extended quote by Philip Graham Ryken, 1 Timothy, ed. Richard D. Phillips, Daniel M. Doriani, and Philip Graham Ryken, Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2007), 29.

Learning the Art of Waiting is Worth It

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Church Life, DevotionalsLeave a comment

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.” (Ps 40:1–3)

Gone are the days when we have to take a trip to the local store for groceries, clothes, movies, or other goods. In our always connected digital world, we can have them delivered to our house the same day or watch on demand. There are advantages to be sure. We can get more done, relax longer, and play more with our kids.

Our Patience is Growing Thin

However, there are also disadvantages. One is that our patience grows thin. You know what I am talking about, if our movie buffers or our item isn’t delivered in a couple of hours, we feel slighted, and we take to social media to instantly complain about our mistreatment.

A Thin Patience Affects Our Relationship with God

But a diminished patience not only leads us to complain more about companies online, it also leads us to complain more about God.

We think God must work like the companies we both admire and complain about. He must cater to our needs instantly. The benefits of waiting are lost on us.

This negatively affects our spiritual growth and leads to diminished worship. Instead of praising the Lord when He comes through, we say, “Finally, what took you so long.” Instead of leading others to worship God for His faithfulness, we complain, drawing others away instead of towards God.

Learning the Art of Waiting is Worth It

Waiting for the Lord to deliver or answer us is difficult, but it is worth it. God’s plan is greater than ours. His timing is perfect. Recognizing that helps us to see that this world isn’t all about us, our wants, and our desires. Instead, it’s about God, His plan, His will, and His purposes for this world and our life.

While it is hard for us to wait, there is a lot we can learn during that time, so may we learn to wait on the Lord, and may we praise Him even more when He answers us.

Question for Reflection

  1. Do you believe our instant society is affecting your relationship with God?

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What are the True Results of Sin?

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn DevotionalsLeave a comment

“There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.” (Ps 38:3–4)

David penned Psalm 38 as he was being chastised by the Lord for personal sin. As he pours out his heart in anguish over the sin in his life, he shares the true results of sin.

What are the True Results of Sin?

(1) Sin results in a lack of health.

David says, “there is no soundness in his flesh…there is no health in my bones.” Sin brings with is consequences and sometimes those consequences result in diminished physical health.

(2) Sin results in a lack of peace.

The same word translated as health in verse 3 can also be translated as peace. The Hebrew word is shalom. While sin promises peace, it ultimately doesn’t deliver. As one sin leads to another, the result is a life of turmoil, worry, and anxiety that lacks any rest or refreshment.

(3) Sin results in a heavy burden, one that is too heavy to bear.

In verse 4, David recounts his burden, a burden so heavy that he can’t carry it. That is exactly what happens with sin. It produces psychological burdens that weigh us down. After dealing with these burdens for a time, we may find ourselves depressed, troubled, and weary.

While sin allures and tempts us with promises of peace, health, and freedom, it ultimately results in the opposite. So the next time we are confronted with a temptation to sin, we should remember the agony and despair of David, and run far away from its false promises.

Question for Reflection

  1. Do you see these truths about sin?

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The Evil World In Which We Live

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Devotionals3 Comments

“Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated. The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good. He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil. Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.” (Ps 36:1–5)

In our day, evil is embraced, celebrated, and propagated instead of rejected. The wicked don’t fear the Lord. There is no reverence for God. No recognition that He is the all-sovereign Creator and Ruler of the universe. God is believed to be nothing more than a figment of the imagination of a fragile mind bent toward a need for religion in order to cope with the world as we know it.

The Result

The result of these thoughts is self-flattery, pride, trouble, deceit, unwise actions, evil plots, walking the wrong path, and solidarity with evil acts.

The Evidence

You can see these actions today in political and court decisions. Any and all efforts to place limitations on abortions are met with extreme resistance, even from the highest court in the land. Transgender and LGBT issues are trumpeted from every post in an effort to normalize these lifestyles. All who disagree are silenced, plotted against, and are met with trouble. Lies, deceit, and corruption exist at the highest levels of government.

Moving from the courts and government to the local arena, neighbors turn on neighbors. Innocent Police officers are picked off one by one by cowardly snipers. Terrorists detonate bombs in an effort to kill, maim, and destroy peace. The world in which we live is evil, and the evil is embraced because there is no fear of God.

Steadfast Love

Thankfully, amidst all the evil, the Lord’s steadfast love continues just as it did in David’s day. Thankfully, God does not reject the faithful, those who seek refuge in Him. Thankfully, the Lord embraces the righteous and provides for them a fountain of life, a light shining in the darkness, which illuminates the path of righteousness. Thankfully, the Lord will deal with the unrighteous and set this world right.

Trust in the Lord all who are faithful! Trust in the Lord all the earth!

Question for Reflection

  1. Do you trust in the Lord?

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How Can We Experience True and Lasting Happiness and Joy?

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn DevotionalsLeave a comment

We live in a society that believes joy and happiness come when we attain complete self-autonomy; when we are controlled by no one but ourselves. This is evidenced by a number of legal and cultural battles that have been waged over the last year. Obergefell removed the Christian strictures on marriage. Bathroom ordinances are being enacted, struck down, and fought over. Just yesterday the Supreme Court struck down Texas’ abortion clinic restrictions. These cases and battles signal that any encroachment on personal autonomy and self-rule will not be tolerated.

More To It

These fights and cases, however, are about more than marriage, bathrooms, and terminating a pregnancy. They are about more than change and progress.

These fights arise from and signal our sinful desire to rule ourselves, to be our own gods.

It is believed, even if it is not admitted, that ruling our lives in place of God will finally provide the joy and happiness man desires. But, if you notice, one victory just leads to another battle. Another cause to be championed is always around the next corner. That’s because throwing off the strictures of God’s rule will never provide the happiness and joy we desire. The sweet taste of victory fades quickly, and a new battle that promises joy and happiness when won must take its place. The search is never ending.

The Search Can Be Over

The Psalmist, however, paints a different picture for us. He tells us that:

“Those who look to him are radiant” (Ps. 34:5a)

In other words, those who turn to, instead of away from, God will experience the joy and happiness for which they long.

So instead of casting off all reason and logic in an effort to rule ourselves, we need to turn to God. We need to submit to Him and His Law. He is our Creator, and living in the way He has designed will always be better for us in the end. It will provide the joy and happiness for which we long, as well as a well ordered and thriving society.

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Ps. 34:8)

Question for Reflection

  1. Do you believe self-autonomy provides lasting happiness and joy?

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My Times are in Your Hand, O Lord

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn DevotionalsLeave a comment

“My times are in your hand; ” (Ps. 31:15a)

In this verse, David acknowledges God’s sovereign plan and purpose for his life. He is confident in God’s plan.

From where does David’s confidence arise?

David’s confidence stems from his knowledge that God is in control. As a result, he rests in the Lord and places his trust in Him, recognizing that God is for him, “You are my God”, he says (Ps 31:14). He further trusts in Him because he knows God is a God of “steadfast love” (Ps 31:16), who will not allow him to “be put to shame” (Ps. 31:17). The Lord is good and gracious, extending His goodness to those who fear and take refuge in Him (Ps. 31:19).

The remarkable thing about David’s pronouncement is that it is made during a time of great need. He was despised, defamed, and persecuted when he penned these words.

Can we say the same?

I wonder if we can say the say, even during time of abundance and peace? Do we recognize that our times are in God’s hands? Do we trust Him to deliver and rescue us from our enemies? Do we recognize His steadfast love, goodness, and abundant mercies? Is God our refuge, whom we love and praise, even when our enemies are surrounding us?

Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! (Ps. 31:23-24)

Question for Reflection

  1. Do you trust in the all-sovereign Lord?

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