Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 11:33-36. 

 

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!  For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?  Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN?  For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”  Romans 11:33-36. 

 

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We come to the conclusion of both the chapter and the extensive section on the doctrine of election. 

 

Today’s Scripture recognizes that we can’t fully understand why God would save some and would condemn others:  “How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!  For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?” 

 

Today’s Scripture recognizes that we can’t rightly accuse God of injustice of condemning those others:  “Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN?”.

 

Here is what The Canons of Dordt state:

 

Article 18.  To those who murmur at the free grace of election, and just severity of reprobation, we answer with the apostle: “Nay, but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God?”  Romans 9:20, and quote the language of our Savior:  “Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own?”  Matthew 20:15.  And therefore with holy adoration of these mysteries, we exclaim in the words of the apostle: “O the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been his counselor?  Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?  For of him, and through him, and to him are all things: to whom be glory for ever.  Amen.”

 

Psalm Chapter 2 provides a warning to those who continue to try to resist election.  “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!” 

 

Psalm Chapter 2 provides a blessing to those who trust God concerning election:  “How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”  

 

Nevertheless, regardless of man’s reaction to election, Psalm Chapter 2 instructs us that God remains firmly and totally in sovereign control of salvation.

 

“¹ Why are the nations in an uproar
And the peoples devising a vain thing?
² The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,

³ “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”

 ⁴ He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
⁵ Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
⁶ “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

 ⁷ “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
⁸ ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
⁹ ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”

 ¹⁰ Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
¹¹ Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
¹² Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”  Psalm Chapter 2.