Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 38:9-20.  Here is a link to today’s Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2038&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then he made the court:  for the south side the hangings of the court were of fine twisted linen, one hundred cubits;  their twenty pillars, and their twenty sockets, made of bronze;  the hooks of the pillars and their bands were of silver.  For the north side there were one hundred cubits;  their twenty pillars and their twenty sockets were of bronze, the hooks of the pillars and their bands were of silver.  For the west side there were hangings of fifty cubits with their ten pillars and their ten sockets;  the hooks of the pillars and their bands were of silver.”  Exodus 38:9-12.  

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I decided to stay with the Scripture in its order, rather than to use other Scripture for the devotion today, Christmas day.  When I did a keyword search of “pillars” which word appeared the most (12 times) in today’s Scripture, I was given three verses that were such a blessing to me that I wanted to give them to you as well. We all get the same Christmas gifts.  

So, maybe there is a Christmas theme to today’s devotion after all. Sometimes, we receive unusual Christmas gifts. At first, when I opened these three Christmas gifts (verses), I thought as many of us do when we open some unusual Christmas gifts:  “What is it?  How do I use it?”  

But then, I found a verse within the same chapter which helped explained the verse.  So to speak, the additional verse was the “directions”.  Directions are included with each Christmas gift.

Here are the three verses. 

1. “Let our sons in their youth be as grown-up plants,
   And our daughters as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace;” Psalm 144:12.

Our daughters may be tall or they may be short, but God will bless them and fashion them as for a palace. We do want at least a little fashion for Christmas. In the language of the verse of “directions” below, our daughters will be “so situated” by God as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace.

“How blessed are the people who are so situated;
How blessed are the people whose God is the LORD!” Psalm 144:15.

2. “Wisdom has built her house,
   She has hewn out her seven pillars;” Proverbs 9:1.

The verses following the above-quoted Proverbs 9:1 do not succinctly describe all seven pillars as we hoped it would. Sometimes, Christmas gifts are puzzles, and we got to figure it out. But, it is worth it! It seems to me that the following Proverbs 9:10-11 are one of the seven pillars. At first reading, we may not fully appreciate what fearing the LORD does for us. It is like a Christmas gift of beauty cream that at first glance, we are not sure what it does, but then we read the directions and understand all that it does. The fear of the LORD is a “fountain of youth” and one of the seven pillars of wisdom.

“10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.” Proverbs 9:10-11.

3.  “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore;  and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.”  Revelation 3:12.

We may be scared of eschatology Scripture, fearful of the end days before the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We may think:  “There is no way that I can persevere, much less overcome.” 

But, if we feel joy and peace at the thought of Christmas, the first coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, then we should also feel peace and joy at the thought of the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!  

“Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.  I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”  Revelation 3:10-11.

Notice that Christ assures us that we have kept His word and that His word is “My perseverance”.  Christ persevered to do all that is necessary to save every one of God’s elect.  Or, in other words, we persevere, we overcome, because all He did for us. “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.

The fifth point of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation more fully taught by the Canons of Dordt, is “Perseverance of the Saints” better described as God’s “Preservation of the Saints”.  

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled FIFTH HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Perseverance of the Saints.  

Article 3.  By reason of these remains of indwelling sin, and the temptations of sin and of the world, those who are converted could not persevere in a state of grace, if left to their own strength.  But God is faithful, who having conferred grace, mercifully confirms, and powerfully preserves them herein, even to the end.

Article 8.  Thus, it is not in consequence of their own merits, or strength, but of God’s free mercy, that they do not totally fall from faith and grace, nor continue and perish finally in their backslidings; which, with respect to themselves, is not only possible, but would undoubtedly happen;  but with respect to God, it is utterly impossible, since his counsel cannot be changed, nor his promise fail, neither can the call according to his purpose be revoked, nor the merit, intercession and preservation of Christ be rendered ineffectual, nor the sealing of the Holy Spirit be frustrated or obliterated.

Article 9.  Of this preservation of the elect to salvation, and of their perseverance in the faith, true believers for themselves may and ought to obtain assurance according to the measure of their faith, whereby they arrive at the certain persuasion, that they ever will continue true and living members of the church;  and that they experience forgiveness of sins, and will at last inherit eternal life.

This is the football helmet that we always wanted for Christmas.  It is the “Helmet of Salvation” in Ephesians chapter 5. In the language of the above-stated Revelation 3:11, specifically regarding to “the word of My perseverance” also known as God’s “Preservation of the Saints”, “hold fast what you have”. Treasure your Christmas gift.

Merry Christmas!

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;  so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17.