Occasionally we lack something Presbyterian for a specific calendar date, or at least something sufficiently researched and ready to post. That’s the case today. But there is no end of edifying exhortation available to occupy our thoughts through the day. Consider this, by the esteemed pastor, Thomas Manton, from his sermon on Psalm 119:97:

“What is the reason there is so much preaching and so little practice? For want of meditation.  Constant thoughts are operative.  If a hen straggleth out from her nest, she brings forth nothing, her eggs chill; so, when we do not set abrood upon holy thoughts, if we content ourselves with some few transient thoughts and glances about Divine things, and do not dwell upon them, the truth is suddenly put off, and doth no good.  All actions require time and space for their operation; if hastily slubbered over, they cool; if we give them time and space, we shall feel their effects: so, if we hold truths in our mind and dwell upon them, there will be an answerable impression; but, when they come like a flash of lightning, then they are gone, and we run them over cursorily.  That truth may work, there are required three things, sound belief, serious consideration, and close application: “Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know it for thy good. (Job v. 27).”

Sources: Thomas Manton, Sermons on Psalm 119, volume 2, page 325.