As some of you may know, I am daily reading through Scripture in its order. Today’s devotion was Acts 18:1-11.
Before I read this devotion, I was hoping that God would give me some comfort as my youngest son leaves our home in St. Petersburg, Florida this morning to fly to Grand Rapids to attend Calvin College. I quickly dismissed that thought, thinking that I should not even have such a hope; God should use the Scripture for whatever purpose He intended. I happily read the devotion twice not thinking about what comfort it could give me but rather thinking of what its main message would be.
At the end of the second reading, I thought God was indeed giving me comfort through the following verses: “And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.’ Acts 18:9-11. (Emphasis added.)
I first thought about how God has many people in Grand Rapids. Some of us in Reformed circles sometimes fondly call Grand Rapids, “Jerusalem”.
I next thought that we should not fear or worry any longer. God will certainly be with Josh.
I thought about my own experience. I attended Calvin College for exactly one year and six months in terms of one full school year and one semester.
In conclusion, I am reminded of a verse and a question and answer from Heidelberg Catechism. I send Josh off with these two promises.
Matthew 7:11
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”
What is thy only comfort in life and death?
Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.” Heidelberg Catechism, Question 1.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 