Beloved congregation,
I want to share with you a gem that I discovered in the writings of Thomas Watson this week. In his "Body of Divinity," Watson speaks of how we give glory to God when we pursue salvation and sanctification through the ordinary means of grace—that is, through the ministry of Word, prayer, and sacrament. Watson writes:
"What an encouragement is this to the service of God, to think, while I am hearing and praying, I am glorifying God; while I am furthering my own glory in heaven, I am increasing God's glory. Would it not be an encouragement to a subject, to hear his prince say to him, 'You will honor and please me very much, if you will go to yonder mine of gold, and dig as much gold for yourself as you can carry away?' So, for God to say, 'Go to the ordinances, get as much grace as you can, dig out as much salvation as you can; and the more happiness you have, the more I shall count myself glorified.'"
I was encouraged by the reminder that I simultaneously pursue my happiness AND render glory to God when I come to worship. Those two things are not mutually exclusive.
This Lord's Day, we have the joy of honoring our recent graduates. I hope you will join us as we bear witness to God's covenant faithfulness in giving us children and sustaining and prospering them in their academic labors.
Loved ones, please remember to be in prayer for our Building Committee and our Pastoral Search Committee. The servants on these committees deeply value your prayers for wisdom in the work we have called them to perform.
In the bonds of Christ's love,
~Pastor Joe
