“… let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1

On many occasions our greatest enemy is that which is “good” rather than what is “bad”. Sinless things can become sinful. It happens when we are so occupied with the good that we have no time for the best. We don’t have the right to do something just because it isn’t wrong. To major on minors is a mistake. We are to “lay aside every” (any and all, no exceptions) “weight”, encumbrance, that impedes our progress.

Adrian Rogers said,”There’s a certain discipline that belongs to the child of God. He does not have time to participate in good things because there are too many best things.

People sometimes ask me, “Oh, have you read thus and such a book? It’s so good.” I say, “No, I haven’t.” And I think, “Where on earth did you ever get time to read that? I haven’t even read the best books yet. How am I going to have time to read good books?”

I’m amazed at how many people spend so much time doing good things. But good things are bad things when they keep you from best things. Life would be simple if it were a choice between good and bad. But it’s a choice between good and best.”

We would do well to remember what Paul wrote in 2 Tim. 2:4 “ No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

“- – -I will deal well with thee.” Genesis 32:9

There’s nothing like a precious promise from the One who cannot lie to brighten a dreary day. And it must have been a delightful day for Jacob when God gave him these words of assurance.Even so dear friends,we too can find great peace in God’s promises— but we must make certain that we don’t misunderstand what God has said. As James Smith wrote,

“- – the promises made unto our fathers, He will fulfill unto us their children. But such a promise does not exclude great trials, sore temptations, deep personal afflictions, fiery persecutions, poverty, disappointments, and perplexity; all these things may happen unto us, and yet the Lord deal well with us. The promise secures the sanctification of our troubles, the communication of grace, deliverance from all real evils, the supply of all wants, and the satisfying of our best desires. Is not this enough, to know that Jehovah will deal well with us in sickness and health; in life and in death; in time and through eternity? This promise is Jehovah’s bond, the believer’s plea, the ground of the Christian’s confidence, a reason for contentment and gratitude, and the cause of our enemies’ confusion. Jacob, though tried, found the Lord faithful, and so shall we. Let us therefore rejoice that our God has said, ” I will deal well with thee. I will make all my goodness pass before thee. I will save thee with an everlasting salvation. I will be thy God and thy glory.” Gracious Lord, do as Thou hast said!”

Jesus! in whom but Thee above,
Can I repose my trust, my love?
Thy counsels and upholding care.
My safety and my comfort are,
And Thou shalt guide me all my days,
Till glory crown the work of grace.

“The Lord our righteousness” Jeremiah 23:6

JESUS is Jehovah, the self-existent, eternal, and immutable God. He is our righteousness. To this end He assumed our nature; came into our place; laboured, suffered, bled, and died in our stead. We have no righteousness by nature, but we have the righteousness of God by grace. “Their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.” Jesus completed for us all that was necessary to justify us; He made an end of sin; He magnified the law and made it honourable; He brought in everlasting righteousness; and now He clothes us with the garments of salvation, and covers us with the robe of righteousness. In Him we possess all justice can demand or God require, for our full and eternal justification. This portion is not necessary merely for one day, but every day; it silences an accusing conscience, confounds Satan, strengthens the soul, and glorifies God. Let us look to day, all the day, and every day to Jesus, as “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Let us go to duty, to conflict, to trials, in the strength of the Lord; making mention of His righteousness, even of His only. This is our plea at the throne of grace, our song in the house of our pilgrimage, and our confidence in the prospect of death.

Saviour divine, we know Thy name,
And in that name we trust;
Thou art the Lord our Righteousness,
Thou art our joy and boast.— James Smith