Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 33:17-23.
“17 The Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.” 18 Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” 19 And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” 20 But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!” 21 Then the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; 22 and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.” Exodus 33:17-23.
——————–
It is noteworthy that at this time of special privilege given to Moses to see the LORD that the LORD proclaims the basis of salvation. “… I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” Verse 19. This is “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.
This verse is also quoted in Romans 9:15. The following verse further explains this basis of salvation. “So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” Romans 9:16.
When we believe and appreciate that “Unconditional Election” is the basis of salvation, in a sense, we see the goodness of God like Moses. You can read more about “Unconditional Election” in the Canons of Dordt through this link – http://www.prca.org/cd_text1.html
But, most prefer to see the alleged goodness of man. They believe that the basis of salvation is man’s goodness including man’s wise alleged “free-will” choice of Christ.
Man’s goodness is not God’s choice for the basis of salvation.
“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.
“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.
“Thus says the Lord, “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:5.
Whom do you want to see? God or man?
“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1:2-3.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 