It is one thing to know about God’s majesty, and another thing to behold its beauty; it is one thing to know that sin is the greatest evil, and another thing to feel its horror; it is one thing to know the excellency of God’s love, and another thing to taste its sweetness.
In The Heart Taken 90 Days with the Puritans, Stephen Yuille challenges us to consider the difference between intellectual and experiential knowledge. Using anecdotes, illustrations, Scripture, and the writings of the Puritans, he encourages Christians to consider the glory of God, the severity of sin, the beauty of Christ, the mystery of providence, and the certainty of glory each day.
As you meditate on these five lively truths, your love will be kindled, your faith strengthened, your joy increased, and your hope renewed so that you may be filled with the fullness of God (Eph. 3:19).
Contents
Introduction
Our Most Loving FatherThe Greatest Evil of AllTrue ReligionSpecial ProvidenceFalling into TrialsA Boundless GodMan’s SoulChrist CrucifiedUniversally EffectualGod’s SmileForever the SameEarthly ThingsThe True RockOur KeeperSpiritual DecayA Divine SparklingA Sincere HeartChrist AloneGod for UsCommunion with GodAll Good ThingsTrue GreatnessAltogether LovelyOur HelpThe Cleansing WordPerfect in KnowledgeKeeping the HeartAn Indissoluble UnionMaraOur AdversaryA Sacred MysteryA Divine LightThe Main ThingPerspectiveA Rare JewelAn Ocean of GoodnessThe Poor in SpiritJustified FreelyTrusting in GodBlessedGod’s BeautyOut of OrderExceedingly AbundantSowing in TearsHoly MeditationOur Greatest TreasureRadical AmputationThe SubstanceA Present RealityChristian JoyTrue BlessednessUnjust AngerOur Passover LambNo Opposition to God’s PowerA Sweet SaviorThe High and Lofty OneA Restless EvilA Sweet-Smelling AromaOnly Comfort in Life and DeathFilled with the SpiritOur PortionThe PublicanA Merciful High PriestSpiritual RevivalA Precious TreasureGreat GainSelf-SeekingWilling to ForgiveLifting Our EyesThe Filth of the WorldThe Crowning BlessingMurmuringA Threefold OfficeAfflictedWalking by the SpiritThe Incarnate WordEnticed by DesireThe Merit of ChristEternal GraceDelaye
In these short devotional readings we're given a delectable tasting menu of Puritan sweetnesses, stirring us not merely to know the truth in our minds but to long for a greater feast with the One whom we love. Even the busiest of us has time to sit with Yuille at this Puritan table and delight in each five-star course. I’m looking forward to reading this again more slowly, as intended, in the coming year.