Today’s devotion comes from Luke 23:8-12.
“Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him. And he questioned Him at some length; but He answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there, accusing Him vehemently. And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate. Now Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been enemies with each other.” Luke 23:8-12.
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“For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.” Acts 4:27-28.
Other doctrine teaches us that man has free-will and that all that Pilate and Herod did to Jesus was determined by their free-will.
But, Reformed Doctrine teaches that man does not have free-will and that all that Pilate and Herod did to Jesus was determined by what God’s sovereignty and purpose predestined to occur.
The three verses before the Scripture quoted above quote verses from Psalm chapter 2 to show that although man may rage and appear that he has free-will, God is in total control.
“And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM, who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,
‘WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE,
AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS?
‘THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND,
AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER
AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.’” Acts 4:24-26.
Other doctrine expresses the desire of man to be free from the control of God.
Acts 4:25-26 above quote verses in Psalm chapter 2 which were immediately followed by the following verse.
“Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!” Psalm 2:3.
But, Reformed Doctrine points to the very next verses of Psalm chapter 2 which teaches the sovereignty of God despite man’s desire to be free from the control of God.
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.” Psalm 2:3-6.
“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 