Family Worship Guide for the Week of August 21-27, 2022
Bible Passage for the Week
Deuteronomy 19:1-12
Matthew 22:23-33
Galatians 1
Psalm 36
Verse to Memorize
John 3:3
Catechism Questions
Q. 37. What does every sin deserve?
A. The wrath and curse of God.
Q. 38. Can any one go to heaven with this sinful nature?
A. No; our hearts must be changed before we can be fit for heaven.
Q. 39. What is a change of heart called?
A. Regeneration.
Q. 40. Who can change a sinner's heart?
A. The Holy Spirit alone
People to Pray for:
Church: Christ Church Columbus
Pastor Andrew Halsey
Ministry: Elder Candidate in training
Ben Carmack
Civil Magistrate: US Senator Mike Braun
Song Recommendations:
Deuteronomy 19:1-12
Matthew 22:23-33
Galatians 1
Psalm 36
Verse to Memorize
John 3:3
Catechism Questions
Q. 37. What does every sin deserve?
A. The wrath and curse of God.
Q. 38. Can any one go to heaven with this sinful nature?
A. No; our hearts must be changed before we can be fit for heaven.
Q. 39. What is a change of heart called?
A. Regeneration.
Q. 40. Who can change a sinner's heart?
A. The Holy Spirit alone
People to Pray for:
Church: Christ Church Columbus
Pastor Andrew Halsey
Ministry: Elder Candidate in training
Ben Carmack
Civil Magistrate: US Senator Mike Braun
Song Recommendations:
Sing aloud, for the time of rejoicing is near; (women echo)
The risen King, our Groom, is soon to appear. (echo)
The wedding feast to come is now near at hand; (echo)
Lift up your voice, proclaim the coming Lamb. (echo)
Sing a song of celebration, lift up a shout of praise,
For the Bridegroom will come, the Glorious One.
And, oh,— we will look on His face.
We’ll go— to a much better place.
Dance with all your might, lift up your hands and clap for joy,
For the time’s drawing near — when He will appear.
And, oh,— we will stand by His side,
A strong,— pure spotless bride.
We will dance on the streets that are golden,
The glorious bride and the great Son of Man.
From ev’ry tongue and tribe and nation,
We’ll join— in the song of the Lamb.
Sing aloud, for the time of rejoicing is near, (women echo)
The risen King, our Groom, is soon to appear. (echo)
The wedding feast to come is now near at last, (echo)
Lift up your voice, proclaim the coming Lamb. (echo)
Sing a song of celebration, lift up a shout of praise,
For the Bridegroom will come, the Glorious One.
And, oh,— we will look on His face.
We’ll go— to a much better place.
Dance with all your might, lift up your hands and clap for joy,
For the time’s drawing near — when He will appear.
And, oh,— we will stand by His side,
A strong,— pure spotless bride.
We will dance on the streets that are golden,
The glorious bride and the great Son of Man.
From ev’ry tongue and tribe and nation,
We’ll join— in the song of the Lamb,
We’ll join— in the song of the Lamb,
We’ll join— in the song of the Lamb.
The risen King, our Groom, is soon to appear. (echo)
The wedding feast to come is now near at hand; (echo)
Lift up your voice, proclaim the coming Lamb. (echo)
Sing a song of celebration, lift up a shout of praise,
For the Bridegroom will come, the Glorious One.
And, oh,— we will look on His face.
We’ll go— to a much better place.
Dance with all your might, lift up your hands and clap for joy,
For the time’s drawing near — when He will appear.
And, oh,— we will stand by His side,
A strong,— pure spotless bride.
We will dance on the streets that are golden,
The glorious bride and the great Son of Man.
From ev’ry tongue and tribe and nation,
We’ll join— in the song of the Lamb.
Sing aloud, for the time of rejoicing is near, (women echo)
The risen King, our Groom, is soon to appear. (echo)
The wedding feast to come is now near at last, (echo)
Lift up your voice, proclaim the coming Lamb. (echo)
Sing a song of celebration, lift up a shout of praise,
For the Bridegroom will come, the Glorious One.
And, oh,— we will look on His face.
We’ll go— to a much better place.
Dance with all your might, lift up your hands and clap for joy,
For the time’s drawing near — when He will appear.
And, oh,— we will stand by His side,
A strong,— pure spotless bride.
We will dance on the streets that are golden,
The glorious bride and the great Son of Man.
From ev’ry tongue and tribe and nation,
We’ll join— in the song of the Lamb,
We’ll join— in the song of the Lamb,
We’ll join— in the song of the Lamb.
Jesus lives, and so shall I.
Death! thy sting is gone forever!
He who deigned for me to die,
Lives, the bands of death to sever.
He shall raise me with the just:
Jesus is my Hope and Trust.
Jesus lives and reigns supreme;
And, His kingdom still remaining,
I shall also be with Him,
Ever living, ever reigning.
God has promised, be it must:
Jesus is my Hope and Trust.
Jesus lives, and by His grace,
Vict’ry o’er my passions giving,
I will cleanse my heart and ways,
Ever to His glory living.
Me He raises from the dust:
Jesus is my Hope and Trust.
Jesus lives, I know full well
Naught from Him my heart can sever,
Life nor death nor powers of hell,
Joy nor grief, henceforth forever.
None of all His saints is lost:
Jesus is my Hope and Trust.
Jesus lives, and death is now
But my entrance into glory.
Courage, then, my soul, for thou
Hast a crown of life before thee;
Thou shalt find thy hopes were just:
Jesus is the Christian’s Trust.
Death! thy sting is gone forever!
He who deigned for me to die,
Lives, the bands of death to sever.
He shall raise me with the just:
Jesus is my Hope and Trust.
Jesus lives and reigns supreme;
And, His kingdom still remaining,
I shall also be with Him,
Ever living, ever reigning.
God has promised, be it must:
Jesus is my Hope and Trust.
Jesus lives, and by His grace,
Vict’ry o’er my passions giving,
I will cleanse my heart and ways,
Ever to His glory living.
Me He raises from the dust:
Jesus is my Hope and Trust.
Jesus lives, I know full well
Naught from Him my heart can sever,
Life nor death nor powers of hell,
Joy nor grief, henceforth forever.
None of all His saints is lost:
Jesus is my Hope and Trust.
Jesus lives, and death is now
But my entrance into glory.
Courage, then, my soul, for thou
Hast a crown of life before thee;
Thou shalt find thy hopes were just:
Jesus is the Christian’s Trust.
Notes for Parents
Bible Passage for the Week
God is holy. God is just. God is good. His ways are better than our ways. His judgements are best. He cares for all His creation and He cares deeply for his people. Our passages this week cover a range of topics and yet binding them altogether is the goodness of God. Whether God’s goodness in establishing earthly justice, his goodness in his promises of heavenly reward, or his goodness in giving us warnings from straying from the gospel into false teaching, God’s goodness is displayed in his word. As you read the passages this week, keep in mind the goodness of God and praise Him with your family for his goodness to you. God is so God.
In Deuteronomy, we see God’s demands for justice and in protecting human life. To murder another human being is an assault on the image of God in man and is a high crime. Yet God would not have man act too hasty in carrying earthly justice. Rather, God in this passage establishes cities of refuge where those who were involved in accidental deaths can flee and find fairness in the decisions of the courts. The people of God were to justly punish those who murdered but those who were not guilty of murder were protected. Justice demands a fair trial and rightful conviction before punishment is carried out. These passages remind us of several important principles: 1. Vengeance is the Lord’s. He has established civil government to carry out this vengeance here on earth, but if one were to escape the civil government, they will not escape in Heaven. 2. We should be a just people-protecting life and protecting reputations of others. We should not condemn the innocent or acquit the guilty. 3. God is a city of refuge for his people. We can flee to God and even if we are guilty, because of Christ we can find forgiveness and refuge.
In the book of Matthew, we see once again that the enemies of God conspire to entrap Christ. This time, they attempt to mock the truth of the resurrection by pointing to supposedly contradictions in the position. They want to exalt it as absurd. Christ, however, rebukes the Sadducees for their ignorance of both scripture and God’s power. They belittle God with their foolish arguments. God is good. He will not let those He covenants with be lost to death. God is the God of the living. His people have hope of eternal life. They will be resurrected. In the resurrection, there will be no need for procreation and therefore marriage will no longer be instituted. This does not mean that we will not have love. For those who have good marriages, it could be hard to imagine not being married. We can be tempted to think of this as a deprivation. But if we keep in mind God is good, then whatever the resurrection of life is life, it will be far better than we can imagine. There will not be less love for those who are our spouse and children now but more love. Love that flows to everyone in ways we cannot fathom.
We must not lose sight of God’s holiness nor His goodness. We have the gospel that shows us both of these attributes. God’s holiness shows that sinners cannot hope to enter his presence but His goodness flows in his mercy and grace to sinners to make them holy to be able to enter his presence. It is the power of God that saves us from our sins. It is not our works. Works are the necessary fruit of salvation in that that when one is saved, God will enable Him to do good works. The Apostle Paul writing to the Galatians warns them not to fall into a false gospel that cannot save. Jews were trying to sway the people of God to think that they must return to the Old Testament ceremonies in order to be saved. They were turning people away from Christ. Don’t every turn from Christ. Cling to Him.
Catechism/ Memory Verse
I was watching a travel documentary about Israel and Palestine. The host of the show ended by saying that the people in that region whether they be Jews Christians and Muslims are just a bunch of good people trying to do good. The inherent goodness of humanity is the common belief today in our culture. “Most people are just genuinely good and struggling to get by,” we think. Therefore when we see suffering, we immediately put God on trial. Why does God let bad things happen to good people?
The first catechism question reminds us that all sin deserves the anger and wrath of God. Last week, we were reminded that everyone has sinned. There are no inherently good people. We are sinners. We can’t inherit the kingdom of God on our own. We need the grace of God. We need our hearts changed so that we trust in Christ. We need to be declared good and then made good. We need the grace of God.
People to Pray for:
Please be praying for Christ church in Columbus. Pastor Andrew Halsey is planting the church and they are in the very early stages of the work. These early days are both exciting and full of peril. It can be discouraging when even one family is unable to attend. Every empty seat is very noticed. Please pray for wisdom and vision for the church. Also pray that God will bring his people to the church.
This week we are praying for Ben Carmack. He is in training to become a ruling elder. Pray that God will give him wisdom, will reveal areas where his life needs to be in greater conformity to God’s will, and grant him mercy and grace for the work ahead. Pray for his wife Dannah and three children.
Lastly, we are praying for one who represents Indiana on the federal level. Pray for that those in authority would honor God not only with their voices but in their actions.
Church History Spotlight
Blaise Pascal 1623-1662
In a day when everyone thinks science is the only means of attaining truth and when so many use “science” as an excuse to rebel against Christ, it is important to remember that modern science finds its foundation in the Christian religion. Many faithful men of God have been scientists. Their faith pressed them on to discover God’s work in nature.
Blaise Pascal was born in Clermont-Ferrand, France, on 19 June 1623. His mother died when he was three, and he was home-schooled by his father, who had connections with Mersenne, Fermat, and Descartes. In his late teens (or possibly early twenties) Pascal as a physicist was concerned chiefly with the pressures of liquids and gasses. Pascal invented a mechanical calculator, the first of its kind. He also invented the modern syringe and the hydraulic press.
Pascal's great work was to be his Apology for The Christian Religion He worked on it diligently in the closing years of his life, but at his death he left only a sheaf of papers with no particular organization--fragments of writing, most consisting of one or two paragraphs. Editors differ as to what order they ought to be printed in. They have been published under the title Pensees ("Thoughts"). They contain, not an argument to persuade a non-Christian to accept Christ as Lord, but scribbled notes in preparation for the formulation of such an argument
How Pascal would have organized it, and how filled in the gaps, must remain a matter of conjecture. A few of the better-known lines may suggest the flavor:
I lay it down as a fact that if all men knew what others say of them, there would not be four friends left in the world.
The state of man: inconstancy, boredom, anxiety.
Cleopatra's nose--had it been shorter, the whole face of the world would be changed.
Man is but a reed, the weakest thing in nature, but he is a thinking reed.
What a chimera then is man!
What a novelty!
What a monster!
What a chaos!
What a contradiction!
What a prodigy!
Judge of all things, feeble earthworm,
depository of truth, sink of uncertainty and error,
the glory and the shame of the universe.
Men never do evil so completely or cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.
"Be of good cheer--you would not seek Me if you had not found Me."
It seems clear that Pascal intended the completed work to comprise two parts: Part One examines the condition of man without God, and shows it to be utterly intolerable--to be, not merely hopeless, but also incoherent and paradoxical--to be, in some sense, unnatural. Man needs a Saviour if the world is to make sense. Part Two argues that we have sound reasons for believing that a Saviour is in fact to be had for the asking.
The following is a poem that Pascal, the great scientist, wrote:
God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, (Ex 3:6; Mt 22:32)
not of the philosophers and scholars.
Certitude. Certitude. Feeling. Joy. Peace.
God of Jesus Christ.
"Thy God and my God." (Jn 20:17)
Forgetfulness of the world and of everything, except God.
He is to be found only in the ways taught in the Gospel.
Greatness of the Human Soul.
"Righteous Father, the world hath not known Thee,
but I have known Thee." (Jn 17:25)
Joy, joy, joy, tears of joy.
I have separated myself from Him.
"They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters." (Jn 2:13)
"My God, wilt Thou leave me?" (Mt 27:46)
Let me not be separated from Him eternally.
"This is eternal life,
that they might know Thee, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." (Jn 17:3)
Jesus Christ.
I have separated myself from Him:
I have fled from Him,
denied Him,
crucified Him.
Let me never be separated from Him.
We keep hold of Him only by the ways taught in the Gospel.
Renunciation, total and sweet.
Total submission to Jesus Christ and to my director.
Eternally in joy for a day's training on earth.
"I will not forget thy words." (Ps 119:16) Amen.
Highlight from the Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q: What do the scriptures principally teach?
A: The scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.
Joshua 1:18 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
I have always loved to read. Growing up, I would read just about anything that had words. If we set down for breakfast, I read the cereal box. I loved reading mysteries, fantasy, and science fiction. Today, I love reading about history, political theory, and biographies. Reading for me can be a way to unwind, to be entertained, or to just past the time. Some of you might be able to relate to that. Others may think I am nuts. Reading is always a chore to them. They hated it in school and they don’t read unless they really have to now. Whether you love to read or hate to read, some of it comes down to natural temperament and some of it comes down to training.
Unlike other books which may serve to entertain, to inform and educate, to unwind, or to spark your interest, the Bible is different. It is not that it can’t do all of the things mentioned, but rather it has a greater purpose. Its purpose it to show us what we ought to believe. It is designed by God to be our foundation. It teaches you what to believe about God. Because it teaches us that He is creator, it also teaches us what to believe about creation and, therefore, what we ought to believe about ourselves. The Bible has a purpose and our reading it should be with that purpose in mind. We read it to learn what to believe and that means we must read it with faith looking for faith. Though we do not deserve it, God has not left us to grope about in darkness trying to figure out what we ought to believe. He has given us His word.
Notice in the catechism that belief comes before duty. This is because without belief, without faith, it is impossible to please God. Our belief leads to what we do. And we can only do our duty if we believe what God has told us. Therefore, because the Bible is this foundational, then we ought to heed the words of Joshua. We must not let this book depart from us. It does not matter whether you are naturally disposed to reading or not, the Bible should never be far from you. We ought to read it, dwell on it, and think about it both in the day and at night. In doing so, we will know what to believe and how to live. It comes with this promise: Read it, believe it, and do it, and then you will know true prosperity and have real success.
God is holy. God is just. God is good. His ways are better than our ways. His judgements are best. He cares for all His creation and He cares deeply for his people. Our passages this week cover a range of topics and yet binding them altogether is the goodness of God. Whether God’s goodness in establishing earthly justice, his goodness in his promises of heavenly reward, or his goodness in giving us warnings from straying from the gospel into false teaching, God’s goodness is displayed in his word. As you read the passages this week, keep in mind the goodness of God and praise Him with your family for his goodness to you. God is so God.
In Deuteronomy, we see God’s demands for justice and in protecting human life. To murder another human being is an assault on the image of God in man and is a high crime. Yet God would not have man act too hasty in carrying earthly justice. Rather, God in this passage establishes cities of refuge where those who were involved in accidental deaths can flee and find fairness in the decisions of the courts. The people of God were to justly punish those who murdered but those who were not guilty of murder were protected. Justice demands a fair trial and rightful conviction before punishment is carried out. These passages remind us of several important principles: 1. Vengeance is the Lord’s. He has established civil government to carry out this vengeance here on earth, but if one were to escape the civil government, they will not escape in Heaven. 2. We should be a just people-protecting life and protecting reputations of others. We should not condemn the innocent or acquit the guilty. 3. God is a city of refuge for his people. We can flee to God and even if we are guilty, because of Christ we can find forgiveness and refuge.
In the book of Matthew, we see once again that the enemies of God conspire to entrap Christ. This time, they attempt to mock the truth of the resurrection by pointing to supposedly contradictions in the position. They want to exalt it as absurd. Christ, however, rebukes the Sadducees for their ignorance of both scripture and God’s power. They belittle God with their foolish arguments. God is good. He will not let those He covenants with be lost to death. God is the God of the living. His people have hope of eternal life. They will be resurrected. In the resurrection, there will be no need for procreation and therefore marriage will no longer be instituted. This does not mean that we will not have love. For those who have good marriages, it could be hard to imagine not being married. We can be tempted to think of this as a deprivation. But if we keep in mind God is good, then whatever the resurrection of life is life, it will be far better than we can imagine. There will not be less love for those who are our spouse and children now but more love. Love that flows to everyone in ways we cannot fathom.
We must not lose sight of God’s holiness nor His goodness. We have the gospel that shows us both of these attributes. God’s holiness shows that sinners cannot hope to enter his presence but His goodness flows in his mercy and grace to sinners to make them holy to be able to enter his presence. It is the power of God that saves us from our sins. It is not our works. Works are the necessary fruit of salvation in that that when one is saved, God will enable Him to do good works. The Apostle Paul writing to the Galatians warns them not to fall into a false gospel that cannot save. Jews were trying to sway the people of God to think that they must return to the Old Testament ceremonies in order to be saved. They were turning people away from Christ. Don’t every turn from Christ. Cling to Him.
Catechism/ Memory Verse
I was watching a travel documentary about Israel and Palestine. The host of the show ended by saying that the people in that region whether they be Jews Christians and Muslims are just a bunch of good people trying to do good. The inherent goodness of humanity is the common belief today in our culture. “Most people are just genuinely good and struggling to get by,” we think. Therefore when we see suffering, we immediately put God on trial. Why does God let bad things happen to good people?
The first catechism question reminds us that all sin deserves the anger and wrath of God. Last week, we were reminded that everyone has sinned. There are no inherently good people. We are sinners. We can’t inherit the kingdom of God on our own. We need the grace of God. We need our hearts changed so that we trust in Christ. We need to be declared good and then made good. We need the grace of God.
People to Pray for:
Please be praying for Christ church in Columbus. Pastor Andrew Halsey is planting the church and they are in the very early stages of the work. These early days are both exciting and full of peril. It can be discouraging when even one family is unable to attend. Every empty seat is very noticed. Please pray for wisdom and vision for the church. Also pray that God will bring his people to the church.
This week we are praying for Ben Carmack. He is in training to become a ruling elder. Pray that God will give him wisdom, will reveal areas where his life needs to be in greater conformity to God’s will, and grant him mercy and grace for the work ahead. Pray for his wife Dannah and three children.
Lastly, we are praying for one who represents Indiana on the federal level. Pray for that those in authority would honor God not only with their voices but in their actions.
Church History Spotlight
Blaise Pascal 1623-1662
In a day when everyone thinks science is the only means of attaining truth and when so many use “science” as an excuse to rebel against Christ, it is important to remember that modern science finds its foundation in the Christian religion. Many faithful men of God have been scientists. Their faith pressed them on to discover God’s work in nature.
Blaise Pascal was born in Clermont-Ferrand, France, on 19 June 1623. His mother died when he was three, and he was home-schooled by his father, who had connections with Mersenne, Fermat, and Descartes. In his late teens (or possibly early twenties) Pascal as a physicist was concerned chiefly with the pressures of liquids and gasses. Pascal invented a mechanical calculator, the first of its kind. He also invented the modern syringe and the hydraulic press.
Pascal's great work was to be his Apology for The Christian Religion He worked on it diligently in the closing years of his life, but at his death he left only a sheaf of papers with no particular organization--fragments of writing, most consisting of one or two paragraphs. Editors differ as to what order they ought to be printed in. They have been published under the title Pensees ("Thoughts"). They contain, not an argument to persuade a non-Christian to accept Christ as Lord, but scribbled notes in preparation for the formulation of such an argument
How Pascal would have organized it, and how filled in the gaps, must remain a matter of conjecture. A few of the better-known lines may suggest the flavor:
I lay it down as a fact that if all men knew what others say of them, there would not be four friends left in the world.
The state of man: inconstancy, boredom, anxiety.
Cleopatra's nose--had it been shorter, the whole face of the world would be changed.
Man is but a reed, the weakest thing in nature, but he is a thinking reed.
What a chimera then is man!
What a novelty!
What a monster!
What a chaos!
What a contradiction!
What a prodigy!
Judge of all things, feeble earthworm,
depository of truth, sink of uncertainty and error,
the glory and the shame of the universe.
Men never do evil so completely or cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.
"Be of good cheer--you would not seek Me if you had not found Me."
It seems clear that Pascal intended the completed work to comprise two parts: Part One examines the condition of man without God, and shows it to be utterly intolerable--to be, not merely hopeless, but also incoherent and paradoxical--to be, in some sense, unnatural. Man needs a Saviour if the world is to make sense. Part Two argues that we have sound reasons for believing that a Saviour is in fact to be had for the asking.
The following is a poem that Pascal, the great scientist, wrote:
God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, (Ex 3:6; Mt 22:32)
not of the philosophers and scholars.
Certitude. Certitude. Feeling. Joy. Peace.
God of Jesus Christ.
"Thy God and my God." (Jn 20:17)
Forgetfulness of the world and of everything, except God.
He is to be found only in the ways taught in the Gospel.
Greatness of the Human Soul.
"Righteous Father, the world hath not known Thee,
but I have known Thee." (Jn 17:25)
Joy, joy, joy, tears of joy.
I have separated myself from Him.
"They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters." (Jn 2:13)
"My God, wilt Thou leave me?" (Mt 27:46)
Let me not be separated from Him eternally.
"This is eternal life,
that they might know Thee, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." (Jn 17:3)
Jesus Christ.
I have separated myself from Him:
I have fled from Him,
denied Him,
crucified Him.
Let me never be separated from Him.
We keep hold of Him only by the ways taught in the Gospel.
Renunciation, total and sweet.
Total submission to Jesus Christ and to my director.
Eternally in joy for a day's training on earth.
"I will not forget thy words." (Ps 119:16) Amen.
Highlight from the Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q: What do the scriptures principally teach?
A: The scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.
Joshua 1:18 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
I have always loved to read. Growing up, I would read just about anything that had words. If we set down for breakfast, I read the cereal box. I loved reading mysteries, fantasy, and science fiction. Today, I love reading about history, political theory, and biographies. Reading for me can be a way to unwind, to be entertained, or to just past the time. Some of you might be able to relate to that. Others may think I am nuts. Reading is always a chore to them. They hated it in school and they don’t read unless they really have to now. Whether you love to read or hate to read, some of it comes down to natural temperament and some of it comes down to training.
Unlike other books which may serve to entertain, to inform and educate, to unwind, or to spark your interest, the Bible is different. It is not that it can’t do all of the things mentioned, but rather it has a greater purpose. Its purpose it to show us what we ought to believe. It is designed by God to be our foundation. It teaches you what to believe about God. Because it teaches us that He is creator, it also teaches us what to believe about creation and, therefore, what we ought to believe about ourselves. The Bible has a purpose and our reading it should be with that purpose in mind. We read it to learn what to believe and that means we must read it with faith looking for faith. Though we do not deserve it, God has not left us to grope about in darkness trying to figure out what we ought to believe. He has given us His word.
Notice in the catechism that belief comes before duty. This is because without belief, without faith, it is impossible to please God. Our belief leads to what we do. And we can only do our duty if we believe what God has told us. Therefore, because the Bible is this foundational, then we ought to heed the words of Joshua. We must not let this book depart from us. It does not matter whether you are naturally disposed to reading or not, the Bible should never be far from you. We ought to read it, dwell on it, and think about it both in the day and at night. In doing so, we will know what to believe and how to live. It comes with this promise: Read it, believe it, and do it, and then you will know true prosperity and have real success.