Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 19:11-22. Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2019&version=NASB1995
I quote only the following verses.
“‘The one who touches the corpse of any person shall be unclean for seven days. That one shall purify himself from uncleanness with the water on the third day and on the seventh day, and then he will be clean; but if he does not purify himself on the third day and on the seventh day, he will not be clean. Anyone who touches a corpse, the body of a man who has died, and does not purify himself, defiles the tabernacle of the LORD; and that person shall be cut off from Israel. Because the water for impurity was not sprinkled on him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is still on him.
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‘But the man who is unclean and does not purify himself from uncleanness, that person shall be cut off from the midst of the assembly, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD; the water for impurity has not been sprinkled on him, he is unclean.” Numbers 19:11-13 and 20.
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Although we know that only Christ can cleanse us from our sin, and we meditated on the prior Scripture and that the “unblemished red heifer” used for “purification from sin” points us to the blood of Christ which purifies us from sin, today’s Scripture talks about the need to purify oneself. And so, we will meditate on that point.
There is a sense that we purify ourself as shown by the concluding Scripture to this devotion. Through God’s grace, we humble ourself, we draw near to God, and we submit to God.
In a similar sense, although God preserves us and should be given all credit and glory for His grace and work within us, we do persevere. Although I prefer to, and do refer to, the “P” of “TULIP” as “Preservation of the Saints”, it is historically known as “Perseverance 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 11. The Scripture moreover testifies, that believers in this life have to struggle with various carnal doubts, and that under grievous temptations they are not always sensible of this full assurance of faith and certainty of persevering. But God, who is the Father of all consolation, does not suffer them to be tempted above that they are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that they may be able to bear it, I Corinthians 10:13, and by the Holy Spirit again inspires them with the comfortable assurance of persevering.
Article 12. This certainty of perseverance, however, is so far from exciting in believers a spirit of pride, or of rendering them carnally secure, that on the contrary, it is the real source of humility, filial reverence, true piety, patience in every tribulation, fervent prayers, constancy in suffering, and in confessing the truth, and of solid rejoicing in God: so that the consideration of this benefit should serve as an incentive to the serious and constant practice of gratitude and good works, as appears from the testimonies of Scripture, and the examples of the saints.
“But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” James 4:6-10.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 