Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings Chapter 14. Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+14&version=NASB
I quote only the following verses.
“7 He (Amaziah, King of Judah) killed of Edom in the Valley of Salt 10,000 and took Sela by war, and named it Joktheel to this day.
8 Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us face each other.” 9 Jehoash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, “The thorn bush which was in Lebanon sent to the cedar which was in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ But there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trampled the thorn bush. 10 You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has become proud. Enjoy your glory and stay at home; for why should you provoke trouble so that you, even you, would fall, and Judah with you?”
11 But Amaziah would not listen. So Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other at Beth-shemesh, which belongs to Judah. 12 Judah was defeated by Israel, and they fled each to his tent. 13 Then Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh, and came to Jerusalem and tore down the wall of Jerusalem from the Gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate, 400 cubits. 14 He took all the gold and silver and all the utensils which were found in the house of the Lord, and in the treasuries of the king’s house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.” 2 Kings 14:7-14.
————————-
King Amaziah did not have peace nor contentment. He did not rest after his victory over Edom. He wanted to fight Israel, ignored the warning of Jehoash, king of Israel, and suffered disastrous consequences.
We should have peace and be content with Reformed Doctrine. We should rest in Reformed Doctrine. But, on an individual level and on a church level, we are often not peaceful and content. We do not rest in Reformed Doctrine.
Instead of being content to be lighthouses of Reformed Doctrine, many Reformed churches have tried to be community churches like every other church. They have been jealous of the glittering fool’s gold of other churches who have seemed to prosper by bringing in big numbers by shunning doctrine. They serve superficial cotton candy christianity, or they serve political or social agendas, either way bowing down to the tastes of the sensitive seekers. They have left the Reformed faith and lost their salt.
Instead of resting on God’s works, many Reformed individuals act as if their faith was based on their own works. They are like the surf of the sea in James 1:6, driven and tossed by the wind of their own insecurities, always trying to do more, always trying to do something different, to prove themselves.
“Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said,
“As I swore in My wrath,
They shall not enter My rest,”
although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.” Hebrews 4:1-4.
But, there is hope!
“8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.” Psalm 46:8-11.
Come, behold the works of the LORD: “Unconditional Election” through “Limited Atonement” through “Irresistible Grace” through “Preservation of Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation!
“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7.
“For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. ” Hebrews 4:10-11.
Be “… content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” Hebrews 13:5.
“5 Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light
And your judgment as the noonday.” Psalm 37:5-6.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 