March 2009
28 posts
“16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his...”
– Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions
Certainly easier said than done…I think it boils down to guarding your tongue, pray that when you do use it…that it’s only for the glory of God and encouragement of others.
“15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational...”
– Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions
Definitely timely for me. No need to delve into it, but this resolution is a good reminder that some people are simply irrational and there’s no need to waste any emotional energy on them…just simply pray for ‘em.
Psalm 40, Isaac Watts, 1719...
I waited patient for the Lord, He bow’d to hear my cry; He saw me resting on His word, and brought salvation nigh.
He raised me from a horrid pit, where mourning long I lay, and from my bonds released me feet, deep bonds of miry clay.
Firm on a rock He made me stand, and taught my cheerful tongue to praise the wonders of His hand in a new thankful song.
How many are Thy thoughts of...
Psalm 39 Hymn, Spurgeon 1866..
Behold, O Lord, my days are made a handbreath at the most; Ere yet ‘tis noon my flower must fade, and I give up the ghost.
Then teach me, Lord, to know mine end, and know that I am frail; To heaven let all my thoughts ascend, and let not earth prevail.
What is there here that I should wait, my hope’s in Thee alone; When wilt Thou open glory’s gate and call me to Thy throne?
...
“14. Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.”
– Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions
This one is a tough one…naturally we have an eye for an eye attitude towards all things. Just consider what likely goes through your mind when you hear that a mom locked her child in a hot car or a man beat up an old lady. Do you immedietly think,...
Psalm 37, Song II, the Scotch version written in...
“13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and...”
– Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions
“12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or...”
– Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions
For context, you would need to scroll down to read the eleventh resolution…this past week, virtually all of my devotions have been centered around pride…and perhaps, they always should be. We must constantly seek to slay all things related to pride...
Psalm 36, Song II, by Isaac Watts, 1719.
“11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately...”
– Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions
God's Plan Through Faith Alone
God humbles His people before He elevated them. He kills them in order to bring them back to life. He devastated them before honoring them. He knocks them down in order to pick them up. God’s methods show the highest artistry and wisdom. We cannot understand how events like these are a part of God’s plan until we see His plan completed. When these events are happening, they can’t...
“10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.”
– Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions
LOL! The timing of this one couldn’t possibly be better..this morning as I was trying to wake up I noticed a bug bite on my leg. There were two tubes of creams on the counter, “itch-x” and “icy-hot.” At six am, I rubbed what I...
“9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common...”
– Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions
I don’t think I disagree with this…it certainly seemed like Edwards looked at each day appropriately, but often fixated on the end. I’m preaching this Sunday on the cross before the crown…it’s not wrong to look ahead, just not sure...
Psalm 32, Watts, 1719...
Happy the man to whom his God no more imputed his sin; But, wash’d in the Redeemer’s blood, hath made his garments clean!
Happy beyond expression he whose debts are thus discharged; and from the guilty bondage free, he feels his soul enlarged.
While I my inward guilt suppress’d no quiet could I find; Thy wrath lay burning in my breast, and rack’d my tortured mind.
...
“8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had...”
– Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions
I think anyone striving after holiness is moved by the unholiness that remains, perhaps arguing they are the chief of sinners…that is good. We can’t begin to see ourselves fully as God sees us…but as we march onward in sanctification we become...
Psalm 30, Spurgeon, 1866..
I will exalt Thee, Lord of hosts,
For Thou’st exalted me;
Since Thou hast silenced Satan’s boasts,
I’ll therefore boast in Thee.
My sins had brought me near the grave,
The grave of black despair;
I look’d, but there was none to save
Till I look’d up in prayer.
In answer to my piteous cries,
From hell’s dark brink I’m brought;
My Jesus saw...
“7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were...”
– Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions
Again, how are you living your life…for God’s glory or yours? When your time comes to die…what will you say, I wasted it? Thoughts? YOU CAN COMMENT BELOW!
Psalm 28 Hymn, James Merrick, 1765 from...
Psalm 26 by William Goode, 1811.
“Be always greatly humbled by your remaining sin, and never think that you lie...”
– Jonathan Edwards’ “Advice to Young Converts.” (6)
“6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.”
– Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions
Don’t waste your life? Seems like it…while you have breath, live for the glory of God. What do you think? Send your thoughts to revmatthenslee@aol.com.
“5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most...”
– Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions
Edwards at many times reminds me of Piper’s “Don’t Waste Your Life.” Jonathan seemed to fixated on that…using every moment towards holiness and personal improvement (only) by the help of God. I can respect that, and learn from...
Psalm 23...Version I...Watts, 1719
One of my many favorite Psalms is the 23rd. Since it would take 6 tweets to put this hymn on twitter, I thought it would be easier to just post it to my tumblr. Enjoy this 1719 hymn by Isaac Watts…
My Shepherd will supply my need, Jehovah is His name; in pastures fresh He makes me feed, beside the living stream.
He brings my wandering spirit back when I forsake His ways: and leads me,...
“4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or...”
– Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions
To glorify God, that seemed to be his chief purpose. Is it yours? Why not add “and enjoy Him forever.” To glorify God and enjoy Him forever? Make that your chief purpose. What do you think? Send me a note at revmatthenslee@aol.com.
“3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any...”
– Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions
Jonathan took his faith and these resolutions very serious…I think perhaps that’s because he had a right view of heaven and hell on his mind at all times. What do you think? Send your thoughts to revmatthenslee@aol.com.
“2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and...”
– Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions
Will need to look back at the first one for this to make any sense. What do you think? Send your thoughts to revmatthenslee@aol.com.
“1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’ s glory,...”
– Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions
This is plastered all over the place for me to remember. One of my favorites. A God-glorifying and enjoying life should be all of our goals. What do you think?? Send your thoughts to revmatthenslee@aol.com.
Jonathan Edwards' Resolutions
THE RESOLUTIONS
of
Jonathan Edwards
BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD’ S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST’ S SAKE.
Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week…
Over the next few days and weeks, I’ll post one of Edwards’ resolutions...