Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 20:8-21.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2020&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.  

“Now Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of the LORD the third day?”  Isaiah said, “This shall be the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that He has spoken:  shall the shadow go forward ten steps or go back ten steps?”  So Hezekiah answered, “It is easy for the shadow to decline ten steps;  no, but let the shadow turn backward ten steps.”  Isaiah the prophet cried to the LORD, and He brought the shadow on the stairway back ten steps by which it had gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.”  2 Kings 20:8-11.

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The theme of this devotion is the LORD preserves His saints all the way to eternal life. The LORD does not break His promise nor forsake us even though we continue to sin.  

In yesterday’s Scripture and yesterday’s devotion, the LORD had just previously proclaimed His wonderful promise and healed Hezekiah king of Judah as stated in the following Scripture.

“… ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of your father David, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears;  behold, I will heal you.  On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD.  I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria;  and I will defend this city for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.”’”  Then Isaiah said, “Take a cake of figs.”  And they took and laid it on the boil, and he (Hezekiah) recovered.”  2 Kings 20:5-7.

But, what does Hezekiah do?

He does not immediately praise the LORD nor go up to the house of the LORD.  Rather, he tests the LORD by asking for a sign.  

Later, in today’s Scripture not quoted above, Hezekiah shows all the treasure in his house to the king of Babylon, likely out of pride and which likely later motivated Babylon to attach Judah.  When Isaiah the prophet confronted Hezekiah about what he did, Hezekiah does not show repentance but rather only showed self-concern as stated in the following Scripture.  

“Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD.  ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and all that your fathers have laid up in store to this day will be carried to Babylon;  nothing shall be left,’ says the LORD.  ‘Some of your sons who shall issue from you, whom you will beget, will be taken away;  and they will become officials in the palace of the king of Babylon.’”  Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good.”  For he thought, “Is it not so, if there will be peace and truth in my days?”  Verses 16-19.

But, there is hope!

The hope is not in man nor in the works or will of man.

The hope is in the LORD.

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof.

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