“Duties can never have too much of our diligence, or too little of our confidence.”
–William Secker
There are so many ways to keep in touch with our friends and family today. We can write a letter. Yes, that is still an option. We can send an email, a text, or message them through Facebook. We can let them know what we are up to through Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter. We can share or discuss mutual interests on Reddit and Pinterest. When I call my father, who lives in Florida, his preferred way of communicating is through FaceTime. Why do you think that is?
Our Heavenly Father has established so many incredible ways for us to communicate and enjoy communion with him. Every one of the spiritual duties and practices assists us in knowing him. Bible reading, prayer, hearing God’s word preached, participating in the Lord’s Supper, and conference are just some of the many ways that we connect with God. These are all means by which God grows us in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus. We should highly treasure these practices or spiritual duties but we are not to make an idol of them. As the puritan William Secker noted, “Duties are but dry pits, though never so curiously wrought, till Christ fill them. Reader, I would neither have you be idle in the means, nor make an idol of the means. Though it be the mariner’s duty to weigh his anchor and spread his sails; yet he cannot make his voyage until the winds blow…Duties can never have too much of our diligence, or too little of our confidence.” [William Secker, The Nonsuch Professor, 102-103. (italics his)]
Our confidence is placed in Jesus Christ not in any special prayer formula or any prescribed schedule of Bible reading. Should we neglect these means or duties? No! Should we trust in them alone or place them on some sort of pedestal, thus ignoring their original purpose? No! What a strange conversation it would be if I called my earthly dad using FaceTime and spent the whole time focused on the method of connection rather than getting to know the one to whom I was connected. May your connections with your Heavenly Father be increasing in their intimacy and joy. Have a blessed week and we will see you at The Cotillion on Sunday.
Your friend and servant in the concerns of your soul,
Pastor Dale