Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 30:22-33.

“Moreover, the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Take also for yourself the finest of spices:  of flowing myrrh five hundred shekels, and of fragrant cinnamon half as much, two hundred and fifty, and of fragrant cane two hundred and fifty, and of cassia five hundred, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and of olive oil a hin.  You shall make of these a holy anointing oil, a perfume mixture, the work of a perfumer;  it shall be a holy anointing oil.  With it you shall anoint the tent of meeting and the ark of the testimony, and the table and all its utensils, and the lampstand and its utensils, and the altar of incense, and the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the laver and its stand.  You shall also consecrate them, that they may be most holy; whatever touches them shall be holy.  You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister as priests to Me.  You shall speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘This shall be a holy anointing oil to Me throughout your generations.  It shall not be poured on anyone’s body, nor shall you make any like it in the same proportions;  it is holy, and it shall be holy to you.  Whoever shall mix any like it or whoever puts any of it on a layman shall be cut off from his people.’”  Exodus 30:22-33.

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God’s provision of the anointing oil leads us to meditate on the Holy Spirit.  

“In Him (Christ), you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”  Ephesians 1:13-14.

“And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man (Christ), it will be forgiven him;  but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him.”  Luke 12:10.

Consider the following from the Heidelberg Catechism.

Q. 53.  What dost thou believe concerning the Holy Ghost?

A.  First, that He is true and co-eternal God with the Father and the Son;  secondly, that He is also given me, to make me, by a true faith, partaker of Christ and all His benefits, that He may comfort me and abide with me for ever.

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;  that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.”  John 14:16-17.

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;  for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak;  and He will disclose to you what is to come.  He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.”  John 16:13-14.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”  John 14:26. 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.  Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are:  immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”  Galatians 5:16-21.

“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 3:3-5.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever.  Amen.”  Jude 1:24-25.