Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 15:24-35.

“Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned;  I have indeed transgressed the command of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice.  Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me, that I may worship the LORD.”  But Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you;  for you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel.”  As Samuel turned to go, Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore.  So Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor, who is better than you.  Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind;  for He is not a man that He should change His mind.”  Then he said, “I have sinned;  but please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and go back with me, that I may worship the LORD your God.”  So Samuel went back following Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD.

Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag, the king of the Amalekites.”  And Agag came to him cheerfully.  And Agag said, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.”  But Samuel said, “As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women.”  And Samuel hewed Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal.

Then Samuel went to Ramah, but Saul went up to his house at Gibeah of Saul.  Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death;  for Samuel grieved over Saul.  And the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.”  1 Samuel 15:24-35.

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“Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind;  for He is not a man that He should change His mind.”  Verse 29.

Today’s devotion will focus on this unchangeable quality of God.

Consider the following from the Belgic Confession, , particularly that God is “immutable” (unchangeable).

Article 1:  That there is One Only God.

We all believe with the heart, and confess with the mouth, that there is one only simple and spiritual Being, which we call God; and that he is eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, immutable, infinite, almighty, perfectly wise, just, good, and the overflowing fountain of all good.

Consider the following from Westminster Larger Catechism.

Q. 7.  What is God?

A.  God is a Spirit, in and of himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection;  all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.

What comfort does this unchangeable quality of God bring us?

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

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.

“For I, the LORD, do not change;  therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”  Malachi 3:6.

“…  for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”  Hebrews 13:5.

“You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me;
Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.” Psalm 40:11.

“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.