Pastor’s Devotional
Man’s Setting and God’s Setting
The Psalmist said in Psalm 16:8: “I have set the LORD always before me”
When we have this fixed outlook; when we turn our eyes upon Jesus; the things of this world will grow strangely dim!
I.) Man’s Setting
A.) There is a Choice - “I have set”
Everyday we are inundated with decisions. It certainly can be overwhelming at times! In the midst of the hustle and bustle of life, there must be a clear choice to “set the Lord always before me.”
B.) There is a Contemplation- “I have set the LORD always before me”
‘If the Lord is “always before me,” then everything else which may obtrude into the line of sight will be seen in relationship to God. I shall see nothing by itself; everything will be seen in divine company. Everything that emerges into my regard, and which demands my contemplation, will be seen against the great white background of the Almighty.’ - J.H. Jowett
C.) There is Consecration - As we continually make the choice to set the Lord before us, there will be a clear separation to He that is worthy from that which is unworthy. Revelation of the Sovereign will produce a Repulsion of Sin.
II.) God’s Setting
‘The man who steadily contemplates God as his abiding background of all his affections will find a spiritual ministry operating in his life with most gracious response.’ - J.H. Jowett
A.) Stability - “He set my feet upon a rock” (Psalm 40:2). The world’s shifting sand will be changed in solid ground. Loose principles will be converted to immovable convictions. Firmness, faithfulness, and fervency will be established in our daily walk.
B.) Possibility - “Thou hast set my feet in a large room” (Psalm 31:8).
The individual who has set the Lord always before him will be an individual who has deeper insights into the treasures of the Savior and the treasures of the Scriptures. Not only will they have deeper insights, but they will also climb to higher heights. “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:13).
C.) Accessibility - “I have set before thee an open door” (Revelation 3:8).
‘In the old castle at Edinburgh, the way to the Crown Jewels leads through a very humble doorway and through a very dingy and circuitous passage. The humble doorway of common duties are frequently the way to the room where God keeps His jewels.’ - J.H. Jowett
May we keep setting the Lord always before us, and I am confident He will set us in areas of stability, possibility, and accessibility.
When we have this fixed outlook; when we turn our eyes upon Jesus; the things of this world will grow strangely dim!
I.) Man’s Setting
A.) There is a Choice - “I have set”
Everyday we are inundated with decisions. It certainly can be overwhelming at times! In the midst of the hustle and bustle of life, there must be a clear choice to “set the Lord always before me.”
B.) There is a Contemplation- “I have set the LORD always before me”
‘If the Lord is “always before me,” then everything else which may obtrude into the line of sight will be seen in relationship to God. I shall see nothing by itself; everything will be seen in divine company. Everything that emerges into my regard, and which demands my contemplation, will be seen against the great white background of the Almighty.’ - J.H. Jowett
C.) There is Consecration - As we continually make the choice to set the Lord before us, there will be a clear separation to He that is worthy from that which is unworthy. Revelation of the Sovereign will produce a Repulsion of Sin.
II.) God’s Setting
‘The man who steadily contemplates God as his abiding background of all his affections will find a spiritual ministry operating in his life with most gracious response.’ - J.H. Jowett
A.) Stability - “He set my feet upon a rock” (Psalm 40:2). The world’s shifting sand will be changed in solid ground. Loose principles will be converted to immovable convictions. Firmness, faithfulness, and fervency will be established in our daily walk.
B.) Possibility - “Thou hast set my feet in a large room” (Psalm 31:8).
The individual who has set the Lord always before him will be an individual who has deeper insights into the treasures of the Savior and the treasures of the Scriptures. Not only will they have deeper insights, but they will also climb to higher heights. “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:13).
C.) Accessibility - “I have set before thee an open door” (Revelation 3:8).
‘In the old castle at Edinburgh, the way to the Crown Jewels leads through a very humble doorway and through a very dingy and circuitous passage. The humble doorway of common duties are frequently the way to the room where God keeps His jewels.’ - J.H. Jowett
May we keep setting the Lord always before us, and I am confident He will set us in areas of stability, possibility, and accessibility.
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