This is the fifth post in a series of discussions centered upon a devotional classic, The Bruised Reed, by puritan author, Richard Sibbes. I am participating in an online book club of sorts called “Reading Classics Together,” hosted by Christian blogger and author, Tim Challies. Here are my previous posts in this series: Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV.

This week’s reading from chapter’s 8 and 9 is summarized by 3  D’s:

1. Duties (performance of the spiritual disciplines)
2. Discouragement (when we feel poor spiritually)
3. Deception (believing what is not true)

Sibbes deals with duties and discouragement in chapter 8 and deception in chapter 9.

Chapter 8

The question of whether one should perform Christian duties (i.e Bible study, prayer, evangelism, etc.) when they feel discouraged is addressed in this chapter.

Sibbes says a big “Yes, absolutely” to this question and does so with four responses.  I’ve paraphrased them to avoid excessive quotation.  He says to the discouraged Christian struggling with their duties:

1. Do what you need to do even when you don’t feel like it.
2. Often we find God there in the duty and are encouraged.
3. Doing the duty even when we don’t feel like it reveals truest devotion.
4. Discouragement may well be lifted after we have performed our duties.

Regarding these points let me add this: I have never in all my life regretted performing a Christian duty.  Whether it was spending time in prayer, reading the Scriptures, sharing the gospel, its no matter.  The result has always been the same.  God blesses these things.  They put us into contact with his grace.  And we’d all be the better for practicing them more.

On a related note this week in the blogosphere, pastor and author, Kevin DeYoung,wrote a wonderfully helpful post titled, “Are Christians Meant to Feel Guilty All the Time?” He asks and provides four powerful answers to why Christians are so often discouraged in their walk with the Lord:

1. We don’t fully embrace the good news of the gospel.
2. Christians tend to motivate each other by guilt rather than grace.
3. Most of our low-level guilt falls under the category of “not doing enough.”
4. When we are truly guilty of sin it is imperative we repent and receive God’s mercy.

I include this nod to DeYoung’s entry because it deals perfectly with what Sibbes covers in chapter 8.

Sibbes also briefly speaks of discouragement that is caused by suffering and trial.  I could not help but to think of James 1:2-4.  Please see these three little thoughts on Christians and trials that I wrote several months ago.  Its one of my favorites posts I’ve ever written.

Chapter 8 was so rich with wisdom and grace that I chose not to include it all in one post.  You’ll just have to read some of the blogs I link to down below and hope that they cover the rest.

Chapter 9

I honestly did not gain much from this chapter.  Perhaps my mind was struggling to stay on track as I read.  What I did glean came from the opening paragraph.  Sibbes points out that Satan doesn’t mind letting us have Christ so long as we have a distorted and inaccurate view of him.

In this way Satan is revealed as the deceiver he is.  He longs to trick us into perceiving the Lord as anything other than what he truly is—a loving, gracious, sovereign King.

Taking Stock

We’ve come just over halfway in reading through Sibbes’ book, The Bruised Reed.  I’d just like to say how beneficial and gracious of a read it has been for me thus far.  The thought that there is no person more gentle and merciful with sinners than Jesus has truly impacted my life and ministry.  It has shown up in various ways in my preaching.  It has fleshed itself out in visits that I make.  It has been referred to as I counsel.  Thank God for writers and works such as this.

Have any of you been helped in ways like this?  I would love to hear of how God has used this book in your life and ministry as you’ve read through it. Encourage us all and drop a comment below.

Check Out My Friends

Over the course of this series of posts I’ve had the privilege of meeting a few new online kindred spirits. They too are reading and blogging their way through this book.  Make sure to click through to their sites and check out what they have to say about this week’s reading.  They are Audrey, Becky, Kevin, and Lisa.

Anyone Else?

If there’s anyone else who has somehow clicked their way here to deekdubberly.com, please make sure to drop a little note in the comments field below letting the rest of us know that you’re out there, most especially if you’re taking part with us in Tim Challies’ “Reading Classics Together.” Thanks.