Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

   “GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR,
EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT,
DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY.”

 ⁹  And David says,

   “LET THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP,
AND A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RETRIBUTION TO THEM.

¹⁰  “LET THEIR EYES BE DARKENED TO SEE NOT,
AND BEND THEIR BACKS FOREVER.”  Romans 11:7-10.

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The Scripture for today describes the decree of reprobation.  God is not only sovereign over the elect;  God is also sovereign over the reprobate.  Here is what The Canons of Dordt state about it in part:

Article 15.  “… not all, but some only are elected, while others are passed by in the eternal election of God; whom God, out of his sovereign, most just, irreprehensible and unchangeable good pleasure, hath decreed to leave in the common misery into which they have willfully plunged themselves, and not to bestow upon them saving faith and the grace of conversion;  but leaving them in his just judgment to follow their own ways, at last for the declaration of his justice, to condemn and punish them forever, not only on account of their unbelief, but also for all their other sins.  And this is the decree of reprobation which by no means makes God the author of sin (the very thought of which is blasphemy), but declares him to be an awful, irreprehensible, and righteous judge and avenger thereof.

We, as the clay or the pottery, should not accuse God, the Potter, our Maker.  “So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.  You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?”  On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God?  The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it?  Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?”  Romans 9:18-21. 

But, there is hope!

Article 16.  Those who do not yet experience a lively faith in Christ, an assured confidence of soul, peace of conscience, an earnest endeavor after filial obedience, and glorying in God through Christ, efficaciously wrought in them, and do nevertheless persist in the use of the means which God hath appointed for working these graces in us, ought not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to rank themselves among the reprobate, but diligently to persevere in the use of means, and with ardent desires, devoutly and humbly to wait for a season of richer grace.  Much less cause have they to be terrified by the doctrine of reprobation, who, though they seriously desire to be turned to God, to please him only, and to be delivered from the body of death, cannot yet reach that measure of holiness and faith to which they aspire;  since a merciful God has promised that he will not quench the smoking flax, nor break the bruised reed.  But this doctrine is justly terrible to those, who, regardless of God and of the Savior Jesus Christ, have wholly given themselves up to the cares of the world, and the pleasures of the flesh, so long as they are not seriously converted to God. (The Canons of Dordt)

There is more hope!

In the very same Psalm that is the source of the quotes for the Scripture today, Psalm Chapter 69, after stating this decree of reprobation, this Psalm Chapter 39 concludes with the following.

“²⁹  But I am afflicted and in pain;
May Your salvation, O God, set me securely on high.
³⁰  I will praise the name of God with song
And magnify Him with thanksgiving.
³¹  And it will please the LORD better than an ox
Or a young bull with horns and hoofs.
³²  The humble have seen it and are glad;
You who seek God, let your heart revive.
³³  For the LORD hears the needy
And does not despise His who are prisoners.

 ³⁴  Let heaven and earth praise Him,
The seas and everything that moves in them.
³⁵  For God will save Zion and build the cities of Judah,
That they may dwell there and possess it.
³⁶  The descendants of His servants will inherit it,
And those who love His name will dwell in it.”  Psalm 69:29-36.

That is, there is hope for those who humble themselves and seriously and diligently seek God. 

There is also even more hope!  Stay tuned to the Scripture following today’s Scripture!