Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 2:27-36.

“Then a man of God came to Eli and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Did I not indeed reveal Myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt in bondage to Pharaoh’s house?  Did I not choose them from all the tribes of Israel to be My priests, to go up to My altar, to burn incense, to carry an ephod before Me;  and did I not give to the house of your father all the fire offerings of the sons of Israel?  Why do you kick at My sacrifice and at My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling, and honor your sons above Me, by making yourselves fat with the choicest of every offering of My people Israel?’  Therefore the LORD God of Israel declares, ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father should walk before Me forever’; but now the LORD declares, ‘Far be it from Me—for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be lightly esteemed.  Behold, the days are coming when I will break your strength and the strength of your father’s house so that there will not be an old man in your house.  You will see the distress of My dwelling, in spite of all the good that I do for Israel;  and an old man will not be in your house forever.  Yet I will not cut off every man of yours from My altar so that your eyes will fail from weeping and your soul grieve, and all the increase of your house will die in the prime of life.  This will be the sign to you which will come concerning your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas:  on the same day both of them will die.  But I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in My heart and in My soul;  and I will build him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed always.  Everyone who is left in your house will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver or a loaf of bread and say, “Please assign me to one of the priest’s offices so that I may eat a piece of bread.”’”  1 Samuel 2:27-36.

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“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me;  and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.  He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.”  Matthew 10:37-39.

Today’s Scripture leads us consider that the LORD’s words for Eli can apply to us today.  It is such an honor and blessing to hear and read and preach and teach Reformed Doctrine.  Yet, too many care more about what others think about them.  They are embarrassed by Reformed Doctrine including election and predestination;  they rather be praised for their social missions.  We need to treasure Reformed Doctrine, and so to speak, be a faithful priest.

“We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.  For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp.  Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.  So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.  For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.”  Hebrews 13:9-13.

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.  For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed;  for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.  Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.  Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”  2 Timothy 1:8-14.

But, there is hope!

Samuel and Jesus were faithful priests. 

And, through God’s work within us, we too can be faithful priests. Take a look again at the words highlighted in bold italic above. First, we think of God the Father when we read: “I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.” Second, we think of God the Son when we read: “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” Third, we think of God the Spirit when we read: “Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”  2 Timothy 1:7.

“and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:6.

“You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” Revelation 5:10.

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD;  you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”  1 Peter 2:9-10.