Today’s devotion comes from 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16.
“For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost.” 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16.
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“Thus says the Lord, “ Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23-24.
Today’s Scripture helps us to better understand and appreciate God’s justice. We may tend to focus solely on God’s lovingkindness such that we may neglect to understand and appreciate God’s justice.
Psalm 89:14
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You.” Psalm 97:2 is similar.
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You.” Psalm 97:2 is similar.
Salvation is not only salvation from our sins. Salvation is also salvation from our enemies.
What would we think of a judge who only showed mercy and let the most violent offenders free to wreak their havoc on us?!
Our God is a merciful God, full of lovingkindness. But, our God is also a just God, full of wrath, justly punishing the wicked. So, “then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,” 2 Peter 2:9.
Psalm 3:7
“Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God! For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.”
“Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God! For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.”
Psalm 18:48
“He delivers me from my enemies; Surely You lift me above those who rise up against me; You rescue me from the violent man.”
“He delivers me from my enemies; Surely You lift me above those who rise up against me; You rescue me from the violent man.”
Psalm 21:9
“You will make them as a fiery oven in the time of your anger; The LORD will swallow them up in His wrath, And fire will devour them.”
“You will make them as a fiery oven in the time of your anger; The LORD will swallow them up in His wrath, And fire will devour them.”
Psalm 2:12
“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!”
“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!”
In summary, Zacharias, filled with the Holy Spirit, put it all together in Luke 1:68-75.
“68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,
69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of David His servant—
70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old—
71 Salvation from our enemies,
And from the hand of all who hate us;
72 To show mercy toward our fathers,
And to remember His holy covenant,
73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,
74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.” Luke 1:68-75.
For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,
69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of David His servant—
70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old—
71 Salvation from our enemies,
And from the hand of all who hate us;
72 To show mercy toward our fathers,
And to remember His holy covenant,
73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,
74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.” Luke 1:68-75.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 