Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 13:1-9.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2013&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“In the twenty-third year of Joash the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu became king over Israel at Samaria, and he reigned seventeen years.  He did evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel sin;  he did not turn from them.  So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and He gave them continually into the hand of Hazael king of Aram, and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael.  Then Jehoahaz entreated the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him;  for He saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Aram oppressed them.  The LORD gave Israel a deliverer, so that they escaped from under the hand of the Arameans;  and the sons of Israel lived in their tents as formerly.  Nevertheless they did not turn away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, with which he made Israel sin, but walked in them;  and the Asherah also remained standing in Samaria.  For he left to Jehoahaz of the army not more than fifty horsemen and ten chariots and 10,000 footmen, for the king of Aram had destroyed them and made them like the dust at threshing.  2 Kings 13:1-7.

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“The LORD gave Israel a deliverer …”  Verse 5. 

Q. 15.  What sort of a mediator and deliverer then must we seek for?

A.  For one who is very man, and perfectly righteous;  and yet more powerful than all creatures;  that is, one who is also very God.

Q. 16.  Why must He be very man, and also perfectly righteous?

A.  Because the justice of God requires that the same human nature which hath sinned should likewise make satisfaction for sin;  and one who is himself a sinner cannot satisfy for others.

Q. 17.  Why must He in one person be also very God?

A.   That He might, by the power of His Godhead, sustain in His human nature the burden of God’s wrath;  and might obtain for, and restore to us, righteousness and life.

Q. 18.   Who then is that Mediator, who is in one person both very God and a real righteous man?

A.   Our Lord Jesus Christ, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.  Heidelberg Catechism.

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.  But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

“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.