John Piper

Senior Teacher, Desiring God. Chancellor, Bethlehem College and Seminary. Advocate for serious joy in God through Jesus Christ at any cost.

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Serving God by needing his help.

“As the eyes of a maidservant
to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
till he has mercy upon us.” Psalm 123:2

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“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive.” Psalm 124:2–3

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“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13–14

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“You have come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious.” 1 Peter 2:4

This is how the Father feels about Christ.

He is precious.

Immeasurably. Inestimably. Incomparably. Precious.

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“I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1–2

He made the hills and all beyond. He can meet my need.

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It is wonderfully shocking that the last verse of the longest celebration of God’s word (Psalm 119) would plead for rescue from straying from the very word he loves.

“I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.” Psalm 119:176

This is the story of the whole Old Testament. “God, come seek us. Save us. We are so helpless to save ourselves. We need a Savior.”

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“Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body.” Philippians 3:20–21

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“Elisha had fallen sick with the illness of which he was to die.” 2 Kings 13:14

The man of God will always be delivered from every danger but the last one.

Immortal till his work is done.

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“Honor such men, for Epaphroditus nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.” Philippians 2:29–30

Risk is honorable.

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The first day of summer. A word from George Müller on travel:

The next thing I would advise with reference to travelling is, with all one’s might to seek morning by morning, before setting out, to take time for meditation and prayer, and reading the word of God; for although we are always exposed to temptation, yet we are so especially in travelling. Travelling is one of the devil’s especial opportunities for tempting us.

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Cautions for preachers who love contemporary biblical theology.

— As speculation increases, authority decreases.

— As speculation increases, life-changing application decreases.

— As speculation increases, intrigue lessens the love of truth.

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“Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight.” Psalm 119:143

What is the difference between this person and the one who says, “I do not delight in God’s word, because it has not kept me from trouble”?

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“The Lord has called for a famine.” 2 Kings 8:1

Every day you find food at the grocer, it is mercy.

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“Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.” Philippians 2:17

Doubly glad, since to die is gain and to take you with me is doubly gain.

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“My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.” Psalm 119:136

Add this to the outrage.

Then it may look like Christianity, not just secular conservatism.

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“Though he was in the form of God, he did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself.” Philippians 2:6–7

Our Lord Jesus, who was crucified, was equal with God.

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“When you are not frightened in anything by your opponents, this is a clear sign to them of their destruction.” Philippians 1:28

Fearlessness in the face of shame and harm and death points to the preciousness and the death-defeating power of Christ.

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O Gehazi, Gehazi! Is it not enough that the mighty grace of God flows through your master? Would you dare to even hint to the Syrians that his grace is for sale? —2 Kings 5:26–27

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“By Naaman the Lord had given victory to Syria.” 2 Kings 5:1

King of kings.

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“Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” Luke 5:10

And pulling them from bondage to freedom, from darkness to light, from death to life, from hell to heaven, from Satan to Christ.