Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Galatians 4:12-20.

 

“¹² I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are.  You have done me no wrong;  ¹³ but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time;  ¹⁴ and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.  ¹⁵ Where then is that sense of blessing you had?  For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.  ¹⁶ So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?  ¹⁷ They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them.  ¹⁸ But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you.  ¹⁹ My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you— ²⁰ but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.”  Galatians 4:12-20.

 

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We are not surprised by Paul’s admission that he was perplexed about the Galatians.  We certainly sense it throughout the Book of Galatians so far.  “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?  This is the only thing I want to find out from you:  did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?  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?”  Galatians 3:1-5. 

 

We are also familiar with this emotion of being perplexed.  Last night, I was restless and thrashed back and forth in bed as I tried to go to sleep but was perplexed about some matter.  You too have likely felt that emotion from time to time. 

 

 

“we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;  perplexed, but not despairing;”  2 Corinthians 4:8.

 

 

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;  we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;  always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”  2 Corinthians 4:7-10. 

 

 

“But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you.  For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

                                         

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.  For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen;  for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”  2 Corinthians 4:13-18.