27 When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
28 And they spent a long time with the disciples.” Acts 14:24-28.
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“I will give Thee thanks forever, because Thou hast done it, And I will wait on Thy name, for it is good, in the presence of Thy godly ones.” Psalm 52:9.
“For Thou, O LORD, hast made me glad by what Thou hast done, I will sing for joy at the works of Thy hands.” Psalm 92:4.
Reformed Doctrine gives thanks and praises God for all things that God has done. As one example, consider the focus on God and all things that God has done in the following Articles 8 and 9 of The Canons of Dordt.
Article 8. For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation: that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father; that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death; should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing; and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.
Article 9. This purpose proceeding from everlasting love towards the elect, has from the beginning of the world to this day been powerfully accomplished, and will henceforward still continue to be accomplished, notwithstanding all the ineffectual opposition of the gates of hell, so that the elect in due time may be gathered together into one, and that there never may be wanting a church composed of believers, the foundation of which is laid in the blood of Christ, which may steadfastly love, and faithfully serve him as their Savior, who as a bridegroom for his bride, laid down his life for them upon the cross, and which may celebrate his praises here and through all eternity.
On the other hand, beware of preaching and teaching that primarily puts the focus on man and what man should do! Such preaching and teaching may seem quite pious, and it may pay lip service to God’s sovereignty and be quite subtle, softly exhorting the listener to “yield to God”, but such doctrine is similar to the doctrine which was condemned in Galatians 2. “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain–if indeed it was in vain? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Galatians 2:3-6.
In conclusion, let us follow the example taught in Scripture today. Let us report all things that God had done with us. Let us also be perceptive and understanding and teach how all those things fulfill God’s promises. Let us thank God and praise God. “For Thou, O LORD, hast made me glad by what Thou hast done, I will sing for joy at the works of Thy hands.”
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 