Gladness and the Strength in the Meal

Psalm 104:15 says that the Lord has provided "wine that makes glad the heart of man" and "bread that strengthens man's heart."

We are partaking of the Lord's Supper this morning, as we do every month. It is not a mindless ceremony. It is a ceremony, but it is a ceremony commanded by our Lord. In it He promises to be present with us to confirm us in Him and put before us once again the great truth that His atoning sacrifice is sufficient, His grace is powerful to save, and His promises do not falter.

I want to call on you to seek what the Psalmist says God provides through the wine and the bread: glad hearts and strong hearts. God gives both gladness and strength. Pursue them this morning in Christ as you partake of the wine and bread and as you hear the Word of God and as you look to Christ in faith.

Believe that God gives them both. Gladness is God's gift of joy, and it is God's design to produce joy in you-delight in all that He has become for you in Christ. Strength is God's gift to the weak and the weary, and it is God's purpose to give you strength and assurance in His Spirit, and constancy in His justifying grace.

God gives both joy and strength to His children through the Communion meal. I call you to hear Him and trust in Him. Turn your hearts from delight in everything but Him and with unreserved passion eat of Him and drink of Him that bring you near to the Living God. Let the joy of the Lord be your strength.