“A Divine Cordial” Book Review – Part 1 of 9

By Daren Dirksen

Published March 22, 2024

As people who love God, we have some of the most amazing privileges. Each one of them are like a drink of cool water when in the desert. Watson lists 8 of the best things that work for good to the godly:

1. The attributes of God. It is only God’s power that upheld Daniel in the lion’s den and the Hebrews in the furnace. It is only God’s wisdom that guides and counsels us. It is the goodness of God that is the means to make us good. Out of His goodness comes mercy and so many other blessings. He cannot stop being powerful, wise, and good. This all works for our good.
2. The promises of God. The promises of God deal with our guilt (Hos. 14:4), great troubles (Ps. 91:15), and outward wants (Psalm 34:10).  As Watson says, His promises are springs of joy. They are food for faith; and that which strengthens faith works for good (Ps. 119:92).
3. The mercies of God. The mercy of God makes the sinner proud, but it humbles the saint. It melts the soul and dissolves its heart in love towards God which bears the fruit of thankfulness, obedience, compassion for others, and other spiritual mercies.
4. The graces of the Spirit. Watson says, “Faith and fear go hand in hand. Faith keeps the heart cheerful, fear keeps the heart serious. Faith keeps the heart from sinking in despair, fear keeps it from floating in presumption. In addition to faith and fear, it is hope, meekness, and love that are the saints’ graces that defend like a weapon, elevate like wings, enrich like jewels, and refresh like a cordial (medicine).
5. The angels of God.  We do not often think about it but the angels of God work for the saints in our life (Ps. 91:11), death (Luke 16:22), and on judgment day (Matt. 24:43).
6. The communion of Saints.  As stones in an arch help to strengthen one another, one Christian by imparting their experience heats and quickens another (Heb. 10:24).
7. The intercession of Christ. When you are sad or have been hurt, it can be hard to focus, especially in prayer. When we are weak and can hardly pray for ourselves, Christ is in Heaven praying for three things. He prays that we would be kept from sin (Jn. 17:15), for progress in holiness (Jn. 17:17), and for our glorification to the end (Jn. 17:24).  Watson points out that when we pick a bouquet of prayers to present to the Father from the garden of our lives, our prayers are a mix of weeds and flowers. It is Christ who takes the weeds out before handing the prayer to the Father. It is such a great gift that He takes away the sins out of our prayers as He presents them to the Father! He always lives to make intercession for His people (Heb. 7:25-28).
8. The prayers of Saints. Prayer accomplishes much. God works through prayers to prevail over sickness (Jms. 5:15), victory over enemies (Isa. 37:4), delivery out of prison (Acts 12:5-7), and forgiveness of sins (Job 42:8).