Day's 11-20

Day 11 - First Posted 2 April 

Pray (AC-ts)

Read — Psalm 90.12-17

Message Scott Woodburn
​
As I sit to write today's devotional it is after two days with two funerals. Unfortunately funerals are not rare or new. This week's funerals have been my 14th and 15th respectively since September and my 141st since the 1st July 2005. Death called the enemy in Scripture is the wages of sin and whilst it is always there, the events of these days have brought it more to the fore. In Psalm 90, the only Psalm we have by Moses, he pulls no punches. He speaks of our frailty (v3-6&9-10) and the shortness of our lives (v10) but he doesn't allow us to wallow in the bad news. He prays that the Lord would teach us to number our days and that we would have wise hearts in the midst of our weak condition (v12). We could approach life with an attitude that says "Life is short so live it up because you are a long time dead!", such an attitude is not new. Paul when discussing the resurrection says that if we are not raised to life then we we may as well eat and drink for tomorrow we die (1 Corinthians 15.32) BUT in Christ we will be raised to life. A great day is coming when Christ will come and the faithful will be raised imperishable. Today though, a pandemic is everywhere, the coming of our Lord seems distant, so how are we to live? Moses prays. He asks God for mercy and pity (v13). The Lord knows that we are dust filled with frustration and frailty. "Have pity on us!" Moses cries. Have mercy on us and return to us O Lord! He continues by praying that God's steadfast love, His covenantal love, would satisfy us everyday (v14). We know that life is fleeting and the joys of this life can be short lived. O Lord! May our souls be saturated and nourished by the knowledge of Your steadfast love! "I will be your God" says the Lord "and you will be my people." THE LORD IS FOR HIS BRIDE! His love for us will not be diluted, it will not wane, He loves us steadfastly. Knowing the difficulty of life Moses prays that we would see good days (v15). We will see evil, we will weep at gravesides, we will feel the weight of our frailty but Moses asks that we will see good, we will rejoice at the birth of our children, we will love and be loved, that the evil days would be tempered with God given gladness and that future generations will see the glorious power of the Lord (v16). We are all short sighted people. We think about today, my life, my family, my health. Yet Moses prays for the generations to come that they will know the Lord. Edengrove is almost 250 years old. It has stood through wars, empires, pandemics and it still stands. The Lord has been our dwelling place throughout many generations, may there be many more to come! Finally he prays that the Lord would establish the work of our hands, that our lives would have a significance (v17). You are one individual out of billions on this earth, yet in Christ your life is not in vain. We are favoured by the Lord because we have trusted Christ. Your deeds unheralded and unseen in this life are known by the Lord. O Lord, establish the work of our hands! So in fear and frailty we cry "teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom!"
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 11. What are God’s works of providence?
A. God’s works of providence are, his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.


Day 12
Pray (AC-ts)
Read — John 15:1-5
Message Alan Burke
We are familiar with many different symbols that we recognise just at a glance, they can be of a brand, organisation, while others are symbols that represent an idea, covey something to us, like that yellow daffodil worn in march, or the poppy in November, or even the ring on the third finger of the left hand.
In Jesus’ day on the temple In Jerusalem there were golden vines with grape clusters that were symbolic of the nation of Israel (Is. 5:7). Here Jesus takes this imagery and applies it to Himself, Israel’s place has now been taken by Jesus (v1) and those who are in Him are the people of God though faith, the branches of the vine (v1). No branch that is Christ can be wholly fruitless, the warning is given to those who have not trusted in him, who do not bear fruit that it will be cut of, and those that do remain in Him will be pruned to increase their yield, just like a grape vine must be pruned (2). If we are His, cleansed by Him (v3), then he will work spiritual fruit in us, for without him we can do nothing of eternal significance (4). So the reminder is thus today, in what we face, in trials, remain in him (v5), knowing the warning for those that do not remain in Him, who show that they never had a saving relationship with Christ, their destiny is described with the language of the judgement of God (v6).
If you know Him in what we face this day, abide in him, know you are justified in Him alone. If you don’t know him, then turn to him, for judgement will come.
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 12. What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created?
A. When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death.


Day 13
Pray (AC-ts)
Read — Psalm 95.1-6
Message Scott Woodburn
The Lord's Day is tomorrow. A day that once again our church building will remain firmly closed and you and I will remain firmly isolated at home. There will be good in this pandemic and I pray we will see a new appreciation for our local fellowships. A teacher once told me "Familiarity breeds contempt" and I wonder sometimes if we see that in the church? We do the same things every week, the same preacher preaches every week, the same people annoy us every week, if only we could join the perfect church! Truth be told, the perfect church isn't perfect and we would soon grow bored there too. May we grow in appreciation for our local fellowship. May these days of isolation cause us to long to meet again! Why? Well for one, think on what the preacher does at the start of the service. Not the welcome and certainly not the announcements. I'm thinking about what we Reformed types describe as the "Call to Worship". We see that here in Psalm 95. "Come" we are told. "Come". The Lord in His Word calls us to sing unto Him, to make a joyful noise before Him, to come into His presence with thanksgiving and to sing His praise (v1-2). God Himself calls us to gather before Him. You and I are currently not calling with anyone anywhere, we are to isolate, stay away, keep our distance and yet the thrice holy God calls us to draw near. What an invitation! But at the minute we perhaps don't feel like answering it. Times are tough and frankly we are struggling. Yet why would we say no? We don't worship a plastic god but a great God (v3a), He is a great King ruling over the earth and above all other so called gods (v3b). Indeed He is the God of creation who holds the earth, mountains, sea and land in His hand (v4-5). This same God invites you and calls you to worship. This is not a chore but a privilege. The Lord says "Come". Our response? "Let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!" (v6).
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 13. Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?
A. Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.


Day 14 - The LORD’s day 
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 14. What is sin?
A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.



Day 15
Pray (AC-ts)
Read — Luke 9:57-62
Message - Scott Woodburn
A Scottish Presbyterian called Samuel Rutherford once urged us to consider that Christ is in the land and the wind is in His face, therefore, because we are at His side we cannot expect the sunny or the sheltered side of the hill. To paraphrase...the Christian life is not going to be easy. This immediately causes us to tremble. Who among us wants difficulty? Who among us woke this morning and prayed for the worst day and worst circumstances possible? Not me and I suspect not you. Yet in three conversations the Lord tells us to understand the cost of following Him. An unknown voice speaks and boasts that he will follow Jesus wherever He goes (v57). The Lord replies reminding this individual that foxes and birds have homes but Jesus had nowhere to lay His head (v59). To an individual who had just lost his father, Jesus urged him to be about the work of the kingdom and to allow the dead to bury their own dead (v59-60). To another who wanted to say goodbye to his family before following Christ, Jesus urged him to understand that the one who takes up the work of the kingdom (putting his hand to the plow) and then looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God (v61-62). Elisha once did this when called by Elijah (1 Kings 19.19-21) but Christ is the greater Elijah. These seem like incredibly harsh and uncaring words from the Lord and yet His point isn’t that He is an anti-mortgage, anti-funeral and anti-family Saviour. These short conversations instead teach us that Christ is our greatest joy and greatest treasure. There is no one like Him and in eternity we will understand His true worth. He is more precious than gold, His sacrifice was of a magnitude that we cannot grasp and His love for us is steadfast and deeper than the Mariana Trench. The late Johnny Cash once sang that you could have all his wealth, all his belongings, everything, he knew that it was all an empire of dirt that wouldn’t last. Have we counted the cost of following Christ? Are we prepared for the mocking and shame? To be considered as being on the wrong side of history? Are we prepared to lose all things, knowing that they are rubbish compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ and being found in Him and sharing in His suffering (Philippians 3.8-11)? As I examine my own heart there is much reformation required. May God have mercy on His stumbling servants!
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing 
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 15. What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?
A. The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein thy were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit.


Day 16
Pray (AC-ts)
Read — Psalm 100
Message Alan Burke
Not many of us feel that we have reason to give thanks or be joyous, the sun may be shining but we are stuck in the house not able to go for an ice cream, head to AJ’s for a fry, take the kids to the beach or have friends and family over for that roast lamb on Easter Sunday. Well Psalm directs us beyond ourselves to God, it is a Psalm for giving thanks, it beings by calling us to make a joyful noise (v1) a noise that would be more familiar at the final whistle at the Kingspan stadium than when we come before the Lord. But that is what this psalm calls us to, to make an exuberant, triumphal noise to the Lord of the earth, to sing to Him, serving Him (v2). The why is then explained (v3) because the one we come before is God indeed, our maker, and we come before this God as His people. 
How are we his people, though faith in Christ Jesus we are the children of this God (John 1:12). So we come before Him (v4), praising His name for the privilege of being His, knowing the blessing that it is. For He is a good and faithful God, who’s love endures. So we can be assured that whatsoever He has promised it will be be fulfilled, that eternal hope we have that when this life ends we will go to be with Him. A hope based not in our endeavours but though the work of Christ on the cross on our behalf. Calvin rightly points out this psalm prophetically, looks to the time when the church would be gathered out of different nations, a hope that looks beyond our present, that keeps our eyes firmly fixed upon Jesus. So what ever you face, remember the reason to be joyous, our Great God!
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing 
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 16. Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first transgression?
A. The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation,
sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression.


Day 17
Pray (AC-st)
Read - Luke 10.38-42
Message - Scott Woodburn
This extended time of isolation has changed the pace of life dramatically. Life once had its structure, working hours, exercise time, runs to and from church, school buses etc Suddenly we have been urged to stay at home and every day has taken on a unfamiliar hue. We’ve become home schoolers and DIYers and sofa sitters! Yet one thing is necessary...fellowship with the Lord. With more time on our hands may we spend more time at Christ’s feet. That’s where we find Mary. Christ has come to her house (v38) and she plants herself at the feet of Jesus and listens to His teaching (v39). Her sister Martha on the other hand is busy. She’s distracted with much serving (v40a) and understandably so. Christ has come, there’s work to do, food to prepare, guests to serve. Martha is attending to the work in front of her and calls upon the Lord to get Mary to help (v40b). Jesus answers her with gentleness, He is not making a fool out of her and he isn’t belittling her work ethic. Instead with a concern for her soul He answers “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things” Christ knows this woman’s heart, she is a worker and Jesus knows her troubles. What she needs is a bit of help. Surely Jesus will now tell Mary to get up. She’s had enough teaching, its time for her to get her hands dirty and take the weight from her sister’s shoulders. Yet Christ’s reply is to tell Martha that “one thing is necessary” (v42a), Mary is attending to the good portion and it won’t be taken from her (v42b). What is this necessary thing? Fellowship with the Lord. Martha needed help and Christ told her where that help could be found. Fellowship with the Lord. These are days with new realities and new responsibilities. Who teaches the children? Who cooks the meals? Who goes to Tesco? Who checks-in with elderly parents? Who apologies first when everyone’s nerves are getting frayed? My friends, one thing is still necessary. Fellowship with the Lord. If we can be thankful for this isolation and dramatic change to life then surely we can be thankful for the slower pace. It doesn’t mean that we will become lazy, there is still work to do. Yet there is more time. May we use it for the necessary thing. Fellowship with the Lord. Your hands are dirty from work. Wash them and sing Happy Birthday twice! Then find a quiet corner and sit at Christ’s feet. It is always the best seat in the house.     
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Westminster Shorter Catechism 
Q. 17. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.


Day 18
Pray (AC-ts)
Read — Psalm 124
Message Alan Burke 
How do we respond in the midst of all of this? How do we respond to coronavirus, or the message that we are told every day to ‘stay home - protect the NHS - save lives’, how? Well Psalm 124 gives us a framework for how we respond, it begins as the people of God, sing and shout with their hearts running over with thankfulness to the Lord, not because life was the preverbal walk in the park, everything had gone swimmingly, no, it was because they knew the Lord as their God and that in what ever they faced that He was on their side (v1-2). His presence with them wasn’t dependant on them but the Covenant of Grace that God had made with them. 
And here His people acknowledge how in all that they faced God was there (v2-5). They do not blame God for what they faced, the war, human wickedness, cruelty, natural disaster, rather they shout in joy, praising His name (v6-7) acknowledging that He has been with them. The Lord had been their saviour and redeemer in the situation that they found themselves they sing of this truth, how their help is in the creator God (v8). How do we respond, well we know that no matter what we face nothing can separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 35-39), nothing can! So in the midst of all of this, we know He is with us, no matter what and He is our help. Our response to Him the Creator God should be one of praise in all that we face. 
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing 
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
A. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it.


Day 19
Pray (AC-st)
Read - John 10.7-11
Message - Scott Woodburn
I am not a farmer or a son of a farmer. At one of my early funerals in Ballynahinch I brought unintentional laughter to a grieving family. I was leading them at home in prayer before the funeral and told them that a relation was running late and so he would meet them at church. I explained that he had been held up on the farm as one of the sheep was calving. The family glanced at one another and giggles turned to laughter as I stood wondering what I had said that was so funny. I’m no farmer and yet Scripture teaches us about the noble work of those involved in agriculture. Jesus here calls Himself the door of the sheep (v7). It would have been a familiar image for His hearers. The sheep gathered into the pen with the shepherd spreading his body across the entrance. Any sheep trying to get out would have to cross the shepherd and likewise any wolf trying to get in would have to cross the shepherd. It is an image of the shepherd’s care and protection for his flock. Jesus is our shepherd (v11a). He is good and He lays down His life for the sheep (v11b). Who protects the church? Jesus. Who guards us against our enemies? Jesus. Who gathers people into His church? Jesus. He is the door (v9) and anyone who wishes to be saved must go through Jesus (v9). There is no other way and there is no possibility of sneaking past Him. Jesus gathers, guards and defends His church. What a comfort this is! You see we live in days of war and not of peace. We have an enemy who rages against the church for he knows his time is short (Revelation 12.12). Admittedly he has been defeated at Calvary (Colossians 2.13-15) and today is bound until the end of the age (Mark 3.27, Revelation 20.1-3). But like an angry dog on a chain he rages and will destroy whoever he can sink his teeth into (1 Peter 5.8). Resist him and he will flee (1 Peter 5.9). The enemy is active and real and comes only to steal and kill and destroy (v10a). Christ, the good shepherd, comes to give abundant life (v10b). It is this Jesus who is the door to the sheep. The storm may rage and the enemy may growl but Christ remains triumphant. The Lord is for us!   
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Westminster Shorter Catechism 
Q. 19. What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell? 
A. All mankind, by their fall, lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever.


Day 20 
Pray (AC-ts)
Read — Psalm 136:1-5, 23-26
Message Alan Burke 
The meaning of word can mean one thing when said in one context and something totally different in another, like love. I love Tayto cheese and onion crisps and I love my wife. The word ‘love' in this context conveys two different ideas. The Hebrew word that is used in this psalm for love is ‘Hesed’, what it coveys to us is a love that is not like our love and it is a key attribute of the Lord, but what does it covey? It conveys His love shown in His faithfulness towards His people, an unfailing love, a faithful love, a steadfast love, eternal, limitless, a love that is unlike our love a love that remains the same, that does not diminish of increase. Because of this his people give thanks (v1), they know His love endures, no matter what they faced in this life, the  one who is God of gods (v2), Lord of lords (v3), the creator God (v4-5) all because of His covenant of Grace that He bound Himself to His people. Bringing salvation (v24), who provides (v25) give thanks to this God who’s love endures forever, this psalm builds a picture of God’s steadfast love. For us wherever we are, the fullness of God’s hesed love is seen in the cross, if we have trusted in Jesus Christ then we know that love, for though Christ we have been saved, for ”In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 Jn. 4:9-10). Know His hesed love and praise His name!
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing 
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 20. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
A. God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer.

A. God’s works of providence are, his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.