14th April 2026


Pray (ACts) 


Read (Solomon 6v4-7v10) 


Message (Scott Woodburn) 


If I have understood the Song of Solomon correctly then in the third scene Solomon arrived from the wilderness to take the Shulammite as his new bride. He tried to woo her with smooth words and flattery with the daughters of Jerusalem also encouraging her to move on from her obsession with her beloved. The pressure on the Shulammite was great and even as she fell asleep her dream told her that her beloved was beyond her reach. What was she going to do?


When the morning came the Shulammite was still far from her beloved and Solomon was still outside the hareem calling her to his love carriage. The King told the Shulammite once more that she was beautiful, as beautiful as Jerusalem and as awesome as a mighty army (6v4). Indeed as far as he was concerned out of all the women he had ever loved she was the best. There were sixty queens and eighty concubines but she was the perfect one and his only one (6v8-9). I'm not sure how the daughters of Jerusalem felt when hearing this but perhaps it wasn't the first time that Solomon had told a woman she was his favourite.


The Shulammite wasn't swept away by the King's seduction but instead her reply hinted at how she found herself in the hareem in the first place. She was in the valley enjoying the beauty of nature when suddenly she found herself amongst the chariots of a prince (6v11-12). Was the Shulammite reminding the King that she was there against her will? Had Solomon's men swept her away to present her to their King? Whatever we are supposed to think about these verses the Shulammite has heard enough and she started to turn away from Solomon and life in the hareem. 


If the Song of Solomon was a play on a stage the Shulammite would be slowly but surely fading from view. How do we know? Because the daughters of Jerusalem begin to call upon her to return to them. They said "Return, return, O Shulammite, return, return, that we may look upon you." (6v13). But she doesn't listen. She has heard all that Solomon has had to say and she chooses her beloved.


It isn't desperately clear who answers the daughters of Jerusalem but I wonder if it is her beloved who rebukes the women saying "Why should you look upon the Shulammite, as upon a dance before two armies?" (6v13b). In plain terms he reminds them that his love is not a show to be watched, not a painting to be viewed and not a notch to be added to a bedpost. It seems that she hears her beloved's voice and chooses to go to him.


Even so, Solomon tried one last time to convince her. He spoke of her feet, thighs, navel, neck and breasts (7v1-9). The King wanted this woman and she was about to slip through his fingers. But the Shulammite wouldn't be turned and as she left to find her beloved she reminded Solomon "I am my beloved's, and his desire is for me." (7v10).


It is never easy to go against the grain and never straightforward to make a choice that everyone else thinks madness. Yet, the Shulammite did exactly that and gives us encouragement to refuse the seductive calls of this world. I'm reminded of Eric Liddell who refused to compete at the 1924 Olympics on a Sunday. His stance was seen as madness but he took great encouragement from a message passed to him which read "In the old book it says: 'He that honours me I will honour.' (1 Samuel 2v30) Wishing you the best of success always."


Brothers and sisters, honour Christ even when everyone thinks you are mad. May His call silence the world's seductive voice.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


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Q41 Where is the moral law summarily comprehended? The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments.
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13th April 2026


Pray (ACts)


Read - Hebrews 11:8-10 and Genesis 12:1-20


Message Alan Burke 


How’s the diary looking this weather? I remember the days when I had a physical diary. I even have a mate who still uses one, and he went all out and got what I thought was a novelty oversized diary to make a point. Although I learnt that it was purchased online and it was simply a mistake. I’m not wanting to start by taking about mistakes, but we all like, in a sense, to know what is ahead. A diary is a useful tool in helping you plan, yet we all know that our plans often don’t work out the way we intended. How could you cope though if you were told to throw the diary away, to leave everything you were doing, most of those whom you knew and loved, leave most of what you had behind, and not even be told to go and not even told where you were going? I’d say that most of us would reject it outright. After all, who’s going to feed the dog, what about the electric bill and the lawn? 


The faith of Abraham is remarkable. He was one who was called by God, and by faith, he obeyed. He was one that lived without any certainties about what tomorrow would bring, yet he didn’t live his life preoccupied with the now and the future of this life. He was far more concerned with something far better. He could see through faith something far better for all those who believe in Christ. 


Today I want us to think of how ‘faith is seen in obedience’. For that is the first thing that we are told about Abraham here in Hebrews 11. He obeyed, he went out not knowing where he was going. For Abraham obeyed when he was called by God, he heard and responded to the word of God. In this, we are reminded of what the nature of faith is. It is not just trusting in God, trusting that He will keep His word. It is seen in how someone responds to the word of God, what they do with the word of God. Faith is seen in obedience. Hearing and obeying the word of God.


Now, that isn’t that surprising, or it shouldn’t be that surprising, that faith means obedience, living in response to the word of God. That is how we are to live, to be those who hear and respond, those who hear and obey. Not only in those things that are easy for us but in the things that are hard. For those who have faith, those who trust in God, act on the word of God. Abraham was commanded to go, and he had no idea where he was going other than it was where God told him to go, so he went.


Now, the reason why I keep mentioning how the message of Hebrews 11, which is often known as the Heroes of the Faith, is not “be like” rather it is to “trust in the promises of God” is because, well, if you know anything of the account of Abraham, you’ll know that immediately after he was called by God, that yes, Abraham went, but when the rubber hit the road and Abraham’s faith was tested for the very first time, instead of turning to God, he tried some DIY, to do it himself. He went to Egypt because of the famine in Canaan (Gen 12:12-20). There was seeking the Lord in the decision, and then when he gets there, he passes off Sarah, his wife, as his sister and says nothing about it.


In that whole affair, the issue is that Abraham did it his way, in his own strength, without God. In the end, while God promised Abram that he would be a blessing to the nations, Abraham’s own decision saw Pharaoh and his house greatly afflicted because of Abraham. Rather than a blessing, Abraham becomes a curse to the nation of Egypt. In the situation he found himself, he took the easy way out, rather than turning to God. Abraham trusted in his own wisdom and knowledge, thinking up a plan where he would be alright. And the good news is Abraham learnt from all of this, and he didn’t do it again. Actually, he did the same thing all over again with Abimelech (Genesis 20). In spite of it, though, there is the wonderful assurance that God still keeps His promises. That is not an excuse to live as we see fit but the knowledge that God’s plans are fulfilled in spite of human failures and disobedience. God is faithful when we are faithless. This is a recurring theme throughout scripture, but what we are called to is obedience, to faithfulness, and our faithfulness matters not only to us but to all people.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


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Q40 What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?
A. The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience, was the moral law.
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11th April 2026


Pray (ACts) 


Read (Song of Solomon 5v10-6v2)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


I've tried to suggest over the past few devotions that the Song of Solomon teaches us that our relationships with others should be built on friendship and the marriage relationship alone should enjoy passion in the bedroom. But there is something much more fundamental and foundational to our relationships.


Many years ago I knew a young man who turned his back on the faith. When I spoke to him to find out a little bit more of his story, he told me that he had left the faith behind when his friendship with another Christian ended. The other Christian had been hugely influential in the young man's life and eventually helped the young man come to Jesus. Even so, when the friendship changed, the young man saw no further need to continue with the Lord. His relationship with Christ was dictated by his relationship with a friend. It should never have been like that and sadly the last I heard of the young man suggested he had walked away and never turned back.


So before the friendship develops and the physical intimacy blossoms, allow me to suggest that you ask a simple question - "Does this person love the Lord more than they love me?" Before you are captivated by that handsome guy who threatens to sweep you off your feet - how much does he love Christ? Before planning to propose to the woman of your dreams in Lapland this Christmas - how much does she love Christ?


If our relationships are to develop as we all would like, we must consider the state of our own relationship with Jesus. If Mrs Woodburn deserves my best then it must begin as I do regular business with the Lord. The heart that is captivated by the beauty of Christ is one which is ready to love others well.


Does this mean that those outside the faith can't have excellent marriages? Does this mean that non-Christians can't be faithful friends? No to both of these questions. God is good and He extends His common grace throughout the world - we see the Lord's fingerprints when even pagans act rightly (Romans 2v14-16). We should celebrate good marriages and relationships when we see them. 


But you and I are Christians and we are well aware of our sinful natures. Therefore, I think our primary relationship is the one that we have with Christ and when this relationship is right our other relationships benefit. Brothers and sisters, strive to be the most faithful friend you can be, ensure that your husband or wife always feels loved and enjoy the gift of sex within the marriage bed. But in marriage or friendship ensure that you keep the main thing the main thing - love Christ more than anyone else.




Pray (acTS)


Sing


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Q39 What is the duty which God requireth of man? The duty which God requireth of man, is obedience to his revealed will.
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10th April 2026


Pray (ACts)


Read (1 Samuel 23:1-14 focus v14)


Message (Alan Burke)


Today we’re just going to focus on one verse, v14. Remember what is going on: David had intervened to save the people of Keilah from the Philistines. If Saul knew about their plight, he didn’t do anything about it. David, though, did; that was only after he inquired of the LORD before he went out against the Philistines, and the LORD told him to go, and he did. Through David, by the LORD’s leading, the people of Keilah were saved. The only thing was that because of it, Saul became aware of where David was, and he saw it as a God-given opportunity to finally put an end to David. He called up all his forces; remember, David had four hundred men when he entered Keilah, who were a motley crew of those who were in distress or in debt or discontented (1 Sa 22:2). He left Keilah with six hundred men, but Saul had three thousand; that’s a five-to-one advantage. Again, David inquired of the LORD, and it led him to leave Keilah and move from place to place. 


When Saul heard that David had escaped from Keilah, he searched for David, and it is the words “but God did not give David into his hands” that should stick out to us. David faced insurmountable odds against Saul, and the Lord saved David from the hand of Saul. In all that was unfolding, the Lord was sovereignly in control of all that was unfolding; David’s destiny was in the hands of the Lord. They had been led by the LORD himself.  Saul was king, but he wasn’t fit to be king; consumed by paranoia and hatred for David, he would have been unable to see that David was being protected by the LORD, that the LORD was at work even in the midst of all that was unfolding, that he was sovereignly directing all. For David, he had looked to the LORD, he had trusted in the word of the LORD, he had been saved by the LORD who was sovereignly at work in the midst of it all, but his life was far from rosy. He was a hunted man by a king who was consumed by paranoia and hatred. While David was the LORD’s anointed, he was king elect, yet he faced much hardship; do not miss this. 


Jesus taught his disciples, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you (Jn 15:18-19). David was a man of faith in the LORD through his promised Christ, and he faced anything but a life of ease. The Lord who numbers the days could have returned Saul to dust, but he didn’t, and through it all, David grew and grew in his relationship with the LORD, seeing that he needed to rely on him above all, inquiring of him in all that he faced. David was saved from Saul by the sovereign LORD, but David was saved for all eternity through his greater son. You know we can look at David, we can hold him up in this passage as an example, but the message of scripture and this passage is not to look to David; David made a right mess of many things. We must look to Christ Jesus, David’s greater son. The one in whom we are saved, not from the hands of Saul but from death and the pains of hell. For all who trust in the Christ, the word incarnate, they will know the LORD’s salvation.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


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Q 38 What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
A. At the resurrection, believers, being raised up to glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.

9th April 2026


Pray (ACts) 


Read (Song of Solomon 5v10-6v2)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


In the last devotion I made the claim that physical intimacy is not the be all and end all. I suspect the world we find ourselves in might ask "What else is there?" Perhaps you know where I'm going with this and you have already noticed what else the Shulammite said about her beloved. She certainly wanted physical union with him but she also described him as her friend (5v16).


Why do we not extol physical intimacy above all things? For various reasons. Firstly, there comes a time in any marriage that there needs to be more than the physical act of sex. All of us get older and as we do the desire for physical intimacy lessens. Solomon would speak of this in Ecclesiastes 12 where he instructed us to remember God in our youth before we get older and "desire falls" (Ecclesiastes 12v5). A relationship should not be founded upon physical desire because eventually physical desire disappears.


Secondly, if marriage is where we should enjoy the gift of sex we must admit that not everyone will be married. Some people desire marriage and it never comes, others will get married and for all sorts of reasons the marriage ends and there are more still who are happily single and do not wish to be married or even in a relationship. None of this is wrong and we should not treat any of these circumstances with contempt.


So the Shulammite wanted to know the Shepherd physically but she also wanted his friendship and I put it to you that friendship should trump the physical in any relationship. Why? Because there will come a time that you are old and grey and the last thing on your mind will be taking your spouse to the bedroom.


As the daughters of Jerusalem asked "where has your beloved gone?" (6v1) we realise that the Shulammite was looking for more than a quick bit of fun in the bedroom. She wanted both physical and emotional intimacy and so she described her relationship in this way   "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine." (6v3). Friends, take walks together, put away your phones and talk to one another, plan date nights and let nothing change them - strive to invest deeply into your partner who is also your best friend.


Brothers and sisters, may we enjoy such relationships in our lives. Marriages which are physically charged but built primarily on a friendship that will last throughout the ages and wider relationships with friends and family which we do not take for granted but work hard so that they are long lasting friendships. But there is something else which I think is the key to excellent relationships and by the grace of God we'll look at that next time.  


Pray (acTS)


Sing


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Q37 What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death? The souls of believers are, at their death, made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves until the resurrection.
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8th April 2026


Pray (ACts)


Read (1 Samuel 23:1-14 focus 2b-13)


Message (Alan Burke)


I was sitting in at the dentist not so long ago, and the person beside me was there with a glossy magazine, and they were reading their horoscope. You could tell they were nervous, and whatever the horoscope said, they were thinking through what it meant in light of the fact that they were about to go sit in the dentist chair. For a laugh, I thought I’d read through my horoscope for today for the entertainment value, and wow, it’s like some of the prophetic words I’ve heard about me by charismatics, vague, and I could, if I was gullible, be excited about it because everything this month is going to be amazing, but I know already it’s not. People look for direction in all kinds of things; we seek counsel and advice from those around us, maybe a financial adviser, or a travel agent, estate agent, family, friends; some people even turn to the horoscopes for all the good that does them. 


David, though, sought the Lord and his will; he looked to the word of the Lord. He enquired of the LORD, and the answer was given: David was to “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” It may not have been what David wanted to hear, but it was definitely not what his men wanted to hear. So David once more inquires of the LORD. The Word of the LORD was against what seemed wise to David’s men. From a human point of view, it was total foolishness, madness. It is the same today; the Word of the LORD declares the way of salvation, but the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God (1 Cor 1:18). David went; he trusted in the word of the LORD, and he and his men had the victory. 


Notice how we are told in v6 (Now Abiathar, son of Ahimelech, had brought the ephod down with him when he fled to David at Keilah). Well, remember Saul had slaughtered the priests and inhabitants of Nob because of the aid they gave to David. Well, one of those priests was Ahimelech; he had helped David. And here we are told that his son Abiathar had brought the ephod down with him when he fled to David at Keilah. He hears of what David has done and he comes to him. 


An ephod was a fine linen garment that the priests wore over their garments. What Abiathar brought was the ephod of the Chief Priests, with the Urim and Thummim that were used to determine the LORD’s will. - The Urim and Thummim were some sort of sacred lot and were part of the high priest’s equipment that were used to discern the will of the LORD  (Ex. 28:30; Lev. 8:8; 1 Sam. 14:41–42). Not only did David have Gad the seer, but he also had the Urim and Thummim. The LORD was equipping David with everything he needed to rule as king, and he was stripping away everything from Saul, the rejected king, because of his own sinfulness. David was trusting in the LORD, and Saul was trusting in himself. And when Saul learns David had gone to Keilah, he sees it as a God-given opportunity, that God has handed David over to him, but he was wrong. 


We do not have a prophet like David had in Gad, we do not have an ephod with the Urim and Thummim. Hebrews 1 reminds us: In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… (Heb 1:1–2). God has spoken to us through his Son. His revelation is complete; we do not need anything more to determine the will of God. If you have your Bible, then you have the word of God, the word of God which is our only rule and guide, which teaches what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. Look to it, trust in it, let your path in life be guided by it, for it will teach you the way of wisdom, to trust in God, to trust in his Christ (Jn 14:1).


Pray (acTS)


Sing


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Q 36 What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.
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7th April 2026


Pray (ACts) 


Read (Song of Solomon 5v10-6v2) 


Message (Scott Woodburn) 


Many in Solomon's hareem probably thought the Shulammite was just being awkward. She had been brought from a fairly tough life to the safety and comfort of Solomon's care - why didn't she just get with the programme and become one of Solomon's women? The daughters of Jerusalem asked "What is your beloved more than another beloved, O most beautiful among women? What is your beloved more than another beloved, that you thus adjure us?" (5v9).


Her answer was another glowing example of her love and commitment to the Shepherd. Look at how she described him "My beloved is radiant and ruddy, distinguished among ten thousand. His head is the finest gold; his locks are wavy, black as a raven. His eyes are like doves beside streams of water,bathed in milk, sitting beside a full pool. His cheeks are like beds of spices, mounds of sweet-smelling herbs. His lips are lilies, dripping liquid myrrh. His arms are rods of gold, set with jewels. His body is polished ivory, bedecked with sapphires. His legs are alabaster columns, set on bases of gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem." (5v10-16).


That's extraordinary isn't it? Solomon had arrived in his golden love carriage and had done his best to woo the Shulammite but she didn't want to be just another number in Solomon's long list of sexual conquests, she wanted her beloved. It may cause our cheeks to redden but the Shulammite wanted sexual intimacy with the Shepherd. She compared his body to polished ivory, she talked about the sweetness of his mouth and she described him as altogether desirable. This was a woman who longed to be in bed with the man of her dreams.


As Christians we have long been seen as dinosaurs who hate sex and don't want anyone else to have any fun, but that is simply not true. The Christian position is that physical intimacy is a gift from God to be enjoyed within the confines of the marital bed. Scripture only knows marriage between one man and one woman who become "one flesh" (Genesis 2v24) as they know one another physically.


Sexual intimacy isn't the be all and end all - we'll think in the future about something deeper that all relationships must have, but sexual intimacy is important within the confines of a marriage. Two things to finish. Firstly, parents explain all of this to your children. They will grow up in a world where no one should wait to have sex and no one should be limited by things like marriage and covenantal faithfulness. Teach your family that sex is good but educate them as to where the boundaries lie.


Secondly, to couples whose love has grown somewhat cold in the bedroom. Brothers and sisters, do not let this state of affairs continue. It is good at times to refrain from sex and to devote yourselves to prayer (1 Corinthians 7v5) but at other times we should freely and happily give ourselves physically to our spouse (1 Corinthians 7v3). When this happens enjoy one another, laugh together and rejoice in the gift of physical intimacy. May the Song of Solomon reignite the fire in your marriage.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


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Q35 What is sanctification? Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
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6th April 2026


Pray (ACts)


Read (1 Samuel 23:1-14 focus v1-2a)


Message (Alan Burke) 


I’m aware that it’s been about two and a half years since we were last in the book of 1 Samuel, so I’m going to in big, broad brushstrokes summarise the first 22 chapters. 1 Samuel records the events just as the period of the Judges is coming to an end. It had been a time marked by the people’s faithlessness to the LORD, a time when ‘everyman did what was right in his own eyes’ (Jud 21:25). The LORD, though, through his sovereign plans and purposes, was going to act, and at the beginning of 1 Samuel, we are introduced to Hannah, her desperation, and faith to begin a new chapter in Israel’s history. Hannah gives birth to a son and dedicates him to the service of God. 


This son is called Samuel, a prophet of God. He led the people, and towards the end of his life, the people of God demanded a king. The LORD gives them a king in Saul; he was the king the people wanted, but not what they needed; he was not obedient to the LORD and became the rejected king. 


Meanwhile, David, who we are told is a man after God’s own heart, becomes the king elect. He demonstrated his faith; his popularity among the people grew. Whereas Saul’s jealousy grew, and so did his paranoia, and David is forced to flee from his presence; he sought help in Nob before receiving refuge in Gath, which was the home of the Philistines. To survive, David had to feign insanity before the king of Gath. He then escaped and went to the cave of Adullam, and four hundred men, likely with their families too, came to David, seeing him as their leader. 


Saul, consumed by paranoia and hatred for David, accuses his servants of conspiring against him and orders the slaughter of the priests and inhabitants of Nob. David is left burdened by the unintended consequences of looking for help in Nob. David is being hunted by Saul; he’s a fugitive, he’s the king-elect running from the rejected king. David had every reason to be paralysed by fear; he was facing the might of the king and his armies. We pick up today and David hears a report that the Philistines are fighting against Keilah; in effect, by looting the threshing floors, they were taking the grain that was needed for the people’s survival over the winter. Even if the people of Keilah survived the attacks, many would not survive the winter. 


David heard because Saul hadn’t responded to the people’s plight; he did nothing in the midst of their need, and he asks of the LORD: “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” How did David inquire of the LORD? Well, if you look back to 22:5, we are told of the prophet Gad who was with David and his men. The prophet Gad was also referred to as David’s seer. Both seer and prophet were used interchangeably; in effect, Gad was a prophet of the LORD God who had a unique role; he was not to give prophecy regarding the nation but rather he was to give counsel of God to David, his king. (Also see: 2 Sam 24:11, 18–19, 1 Chro 21:9, 11, 13, 18-19, 29:29, 2 Chron 29:25). 


David inquired of the LORD; he looked to the LORD. For us, we should in the everyday kind of things that often come across our path look to the LORD. A job opportunity, retirement plans, holidays, new cars, maybe a house move. I think it’s fair to say that we seek counsel, advice from those around us, maybe a financial adviser, or a travel agent, estate agent, family, friends. But remember that as believers, we have been redeemed at such a great cost, and in response, we are to live to the praise of his glory; we do that by looking to him in all things, big and small, seeking to do his will in all things (Eph 1:4).


Pray (acTS)


Sing


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Q34 What is adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God.
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4th April 2026


Pray (ACts) 


Read (Song of Solomon 5v2-9) 


Message (Scott Woodburn) 


The Shulammite had listened to Solomon's smooth words but later that night she slept in her own bed and not that of the King. For the second time in the Song the Shulammite fell into a dream. This time she imagined her beloved knocking at her door (5v2). She was unable to answer straight away as she was naked (5v3), bathed (5v3b) and in bed. But as she listened to her beloved trying to open the latch of her door, she was thrilled (5v4) and so rose to meet the man of her dreams (5v5). Yet it was too late, he had already gone (5v6) and this time as she searched for him in the city, the watchmen offered her no help but instead beat and bruised her (5v7). As she woke she offered a new adjuration to her fellow hareem members saying "I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell him I am sick with love." (5v8).


What are we to make of the Shulammite's second dream? Her head was filled with the events of the previous day. Solomon had arrived in full splendour and had told her in no uncertain terms that she was the woman he wanted. She had resisted but in her dream her true love was once again beyond her grasp and as she tried to find him she was physically harmed by the watchmen - even her dreams seemed to be telling her that she would never be with her beloved again.


Even so, she begged those around her to find her beloved. But the fellow members of the hareem had a question saying "What is your beloved more than another beloved, O most beautiful among women? What is your beloved more than another beloved, that you thus adjure us?" (5v9). Do you see the point they were making? "Why is your true love so special? What's so good about him? What makes him better than Solomon?"


The Shulammite didn't have to think too long and we'll consider her response in the very next devotion but I am reminded today of Peter's wisdom to suffering Christians. He urged them in the face of harm to gently and respectfully give a reason for the hope that was in them (1 Peter 3v15). What do we say when the world attempts to squeeze us into compliance? What reason do we give for not following modern morality? Why do we seek covenantal faithfulness instead of compromised faithlessness.


Here is the reason for our hope. We follow a crucified but risen Saviour who one day will return to judge the living and the dead. He is Jesus Christ and King of kings, Lord of lord. We follow Jesus even though that often puts us at odds with the world. Our Beloved Christ is better than any of the world's options. As Samuel Rutherford once said "We are with Christ in this land and the wind is now upon His face, therefore we cannot expect the sheltered or sunny side of the hill." Follow on brothers and sisters, Christ's value is beyond your wildest dreams.


Pray (acTS)


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Q33 What is justification? Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
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3rd April 2026


Pray (ACts)


Read (Luke 24:36-53)


Message (Alan Burke)


If we did a straw poll and asked people what was the first thing that came to their minds about Jesus, there would I’m sure be many different responses. Most people have some concept of who Jesus was and is, no matter how fanciful it may be, and would be able to give some kind of answer. There would be some outlandish nonsense, but then there would be those who the thing that would come to mind is the incarnation. After all, think of how many years of school nativity plays we were involved in or have watched. Yes, the incarnation is an important concept, and it’s one that is foundational to our understanding of Christ, but at best an introductory image; it fails to consider the purpose of his coming. 


For others, it might be the Jesus of the Cross, and that’s good because that explains the necessity of the incarnation and his life here on Earth. Everything between the incarnation and his death on the cross we call the humiliation of Christ, for the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mt 20:28). From his birth to death, Jesus suffered all things as we suffer. In the end, he suffered and died on the cross. 


These things still leave us short, for they are not good enough; they only paint a picture that is partly complete, because the death of this Saviour on the cross is not where the story ends. But in his Resurrection, it moves from humiliation to his exaltation, for Jesus rose from the dead, he ascended into heaven, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead. In His humiliation, we find our exaltation. Our shame is replaced by His glory.


As Jesus appears to his disciples, we learn of how the body which rose from the grave was the same body that had been crucified and buried, yet it has a different quality as he stood among them. The reaction of the disciples to the appearance of Jesus that day is recorded for us in such a descriptive way. These were men who did not expect it; they could hardly believe it; they had seen Jesus humiliated, beaten, whipped, nailed to a cross, crying out in his forsakenness, before dying, and there for all to see a spear thrust into his side just to be sure that he was dead. They had then seen how he was buried in a stone tomb with Roman soldiers to guard it. But Jesus had risen from the dead, defeating death, fulfilling the scriptures, and as the account ends in Luke’s gospel, he ascends before their very eyes. 


Through the miracle of the incarnation, Jesus had come, he took on flesh, he lived and died in our place, and when returned to heaven, he did so with a physical body, in a resurrected, glorified body, he returned to where he had been from eternity past. But there, he is now in his incarnate state, the distinct natures, the Godhead, and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion in the incarnation. That means he is now crowned with human glory and honour and dwells in God’s presence, true God and true man, there at the right hand of the Father, crowned with glory and honour (Heb 2:6-9).


When Christ returns, we who are his shall be vindicated, we shall publicly be justified before the whole world (Luke 22:29-30). We shall receive our full adoption and inheritance in glorified bodies (Rom. 8:23). We shall be fully complete and perfect in Him, and we shall live eternally in glory all because of what he has done. Our citizenship is in heaven, and we await for our Saviour who is to transform our lowly body to a glorious, incorruptible one (Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Cor. 15:42).


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q32 What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, sanctification, and the several benefits which, in this life, do either accompany or flow from them.
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