Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 22:28-41.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2022&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“And the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”  Then Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a mockery of me!  If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now.”  The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to this day?  Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you?”  And he said, “No.”

Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed all the way to the ground.  The angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times?  Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me.  But the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times.  If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let her live.”  Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me.  Now then, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back.”  But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you shall speak only the word which I tell you.”  So Balaam went along with the leaders of Balak.

…

Then it came about in the morning that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places of Baal, and he saw from there a portion of the people.”  Numbers 22:28-35 and 41.

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Today’s Scripture provides a lesson to us.  “…  From everyone who has been given much, much will be required;  and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”  Luke 12:48.

We remember from earlier in the chapter that Barak, the king of Moab, was afraid of Israel.  He sent messengers to Balaam with a message.  “Now, therefore, please come, curse this people for me since they are too mighty for me;  perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land.  For I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”  Numbers 22:6.

Balaam refused to come with them.  “Then Balak again sent leaders, more numerous and more distinguished than the former.  They came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, ‘Let nothing, I beg you, hinder you from coming to me;  for I will indeed honor you richly, and I will do whatever you say to me.  Please come then, curse this people for me.’”  Numbers 22:15-17. 

We can be infer that God had given Balaam much to know the right way and be able to bless and curse people.  Later in Scripture, there is a rebuke of Balaam and others who:  “forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;  but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet.”  2 Peter 2:15-16.

There is the example of Balaam in today’s Scripture that serves as a warning, and there are other warnings in Scripture.

Many of us have also been given much.  We have gone to church many times.  We own Bibles and have either read the Bible many times, or at least have had access and opportunity to read the Bible many times.  We have had Christian teachers, Christian family members, and Christian friends.  We have either gone to Christian schools, or at least have had access and opportunity to attend Sunday school classes and Bible studies.  Like Balaam, we have known the right way.  

“For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them.”  2 Peter 2:21. 

“For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES.  Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.  How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?  For we know Him who said:  “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.”  And again, THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.”  It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”  Hebrews 10:26-31.

But, there is hope!

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 5.  By such enormous sins, however, they very highly offend God, incur a deadly guilt, grieve the Holy Spirit, interrupt the exercise of faith, very grievously wound their consciences, and sometimes lose the sense of God’s favor, for a time, until on their returning into the right way of serious repentance, the light of God’s fatherly countenance again shines upon them.

Article 6.  But God, who is rich in mercy, according to his unchangeable purpose of election, does not wholly withdraw the Holy Spirit from his own people, even in their melancholy falls;  nor suffers them to proceed so far as to lose the grace of adoption, and forfeit the state of justification, or to commit sins unto death;  nor does he permit them to be totally deserted, and to plunge themselves into everlasting destruction.

Article 7.  For in the first place, in these falls he preserves them in the incorruptible seed of regeneration from perishing, or being totally lost;  and again, by his Word and Spirit, certainly and effectually renews them to repentance, to a sincere and godly sorrow for their sins, that they may seek and obtain remission in the blood of the Mediator, may again experience the favor of a reconciled God, through faith adore his mercies, and henceforward more diligently work out their own salvation with fear and trembling.

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.

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely;  and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.